Marma

This time I do agree with your warning and concern. The sad fact however is that most doctors will refuse to treat anyone within the "normal" range and worse yet, almost all PCP and ROs use the lab standards of the upper level being 4.5 to 5.5 instead of the 3.0 recommended almost 7 years ago. A major issue is that if you do not have a TSH level test done before radiation & treatment, then you do not have a baseline to compare.
Last year, my RO and ENT had said my TSH level test was "normal" since it was under 4.5. (4.3 and last month 4.2). However I just dug up a forgotten TSH test showing I used to be 1.6. (It was done six days before they discovered my cancer as part of a cardiologist workup so the results came in while I was devastated and did not notice them tacked on) I have high hopes that a January appointment with an endocrinologist will get me treatment to get down below 2. Still no guarantees that she will even treat me. So frustrating. I have a back up appointment with another endocrinologist at my CCC in February in case this first one won't help.
The lesson here is for new members to get a TSH level done before TX so they can at least argue about getting help later.
Thanks for posting this
Charm


65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin

Passed away 4-29-13