 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | On a more basic note. We were taught in anatomy and physiology that the thyroid is a master regulator gland and impacts all of the other glands in the body (like the adrenal cortex, etc.).
Also, many of the symptoms of thyroid problems can be caused by antidepressent drugs (or SSRI's)so a TSH test should be performed to verify proper thyroid function and rule that out. A baseline TSH test should be performed prior to Tx.
Most radiation induced thyroid damage doesn't show up right away. Sometimes taking as long as 18 months, so the NCCN practice guidelines recommend testing every 6 months.
Thyroid function can deteriorate with age also so you may end up on Synthroid eventually anyway.
I can't help you with the "inflamed" part. You will need to bounce that one off of your doctor.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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