I had my TSH and free T4 checked again 21 days post treatment. My main symptom was being cold all the time and was tired. I was later told it was probably too early to check for thyroid damage but I think they indulged me anyway.

It is important to know the TSH and T4 free levels in reference to your baseline, pre treatment. TSH is the hormone that stimulates production of T4 by the thyroid. A high level of TSH can indicate hypothyroidism and vice versa. A low level of free T4 can indicate hypothyroidism as well.

My free T4 went down (1.04 to 0.81) but so did my TSH (2.63 to 0.58), when comparing pre treatment to 21 days post treatment, which is inconclusive. I haven't been tested again yet.

Do you know the pre treatment levels?

As for the blood tests, I'd think the low hemoglobin (as well as slightly low RBC count would contribute to fatigue. I had hemoglobin and RBC counts right around where you were and had some issues with fatigue, which have improved as my counts have rebounded. They told me I had (mild) anemia, caused by the chemo. It will take some time for the counts to improve. As of my last blood test (2.5 months out of treatment), hemoglobin and RBC count were still below my pre-treatment baseline and the standard range, but had improved. I was told it takes some time for the bone marrow to recover and produce RBCs and WBCs back to baseline levels.

Last edited by AndrewL; 07-28-2013 10:01 AM. Reason: typo

Andrew
age 25

early 10/12 - enlarged lymph node area
01/13 SCC of L tonsil, L BOT, 2 L lymph nodes
stage IVa, T2N2bM0, HPV+

2/13 2 doses cisplatin big bag, 2 doses weekly cisplatin + 35x IMRT
4/13 TX finished
7/13 PET/CT - NED!