Does anyone have Thyroid Problems from their radiation treatment?

Hi Cath......There isn't a single person that I have talked to that didnt have problems with their thyroid after radiation. If you suspect you're having trouble with your thyroid just have your GP do the blood work necessary to determine if your thyroid is even fuctioning at any level. If it isn't, and I suspect it isn't, your GP will prescribe synthroid for you, which like floride, you will take the rest of your life. Good luck! SIncerely, Donna

Hi Donna, Have hypothyroidism and take synthoid.

Some people (like me), do not develop thyroid problems right away. 4 years out mine is still doing its thing OK. But it is a function of how much of the radiation field included the thyroid gland and volume of exposure it got. Some people do not develop their post radiation thyroid deficiency until years after radiation treatments, a combination of old age incompetence (when many glands in your body are not producing like they did in your younger years) and the damage from the radiation. The most common symptom is chronic fatigue. Blood work will determine if the fatigue is due to anemia (a CBC test) or from lower levels of thyroid production. Luckily this is one of the damages that can be easily reversed by a daily dose of synthetic hormone.

I developed thryoid problems within about 6 months of finishing radiation. I'm on a very low dose of synthroid and my last test was normal. I'll have another text next month. I still lack energy and I am cold all the time (it was 90 today - even in northern MN - and I felt comfortable outside - quite a change from the person who used to roast if it was above 75).