The results of my blood tests taken on Wednesday show that I have hypothyroidism, which would explain my sudden fatigue and my always feeling SO COLD! I am 8 months out from radiation so all of you behind me keep an eye out for any signs of thyroid problems. The medication is synthroid.
Here's a weird question for all..............do any of you that had a neck disection feel like your scalp feels "weird". I can't explain it, just seems like it feels different!

Hi Minnie, thanks for the heads-up... I've noticed that I get cold a lost easier now days than I used to. I used to always be the "hot" one who wanted to wear shorts year-round. Now I'm sleeping under tons of blankets...

I can't speak to your scalp feeling different, but I know sometimes I feel tingly all over my body -- kind of like the day before a head cold comes over me, but I never actually get the cold. I've wondered what that is, and if it is just my body being fatigued overall... It seems to be better these days, and taking hydrocodone seems to make that go-away (maybe I'm addicted!)...

Hi Minniea, welcome to the HYPO club! I bet if you look back you might see a post or two about fatigue and body temp. as a sign of THYROID problems. My suggestion is that you watch the TSH numbers and make sure they get them below 5. I have come to realize that just 1 or 2 numbers mean he difference between feeling good and normal vs feeling like cr-p. The Synthroid takes a few weeks to take effect so get regular blood tests.

People should realize that the usual "expected" time frame for radiation induced hypothyroidism is around 2 years. I believe it is sooner than that and that the numbers reflect a lag in diagnosis. I felt bad for many needless months before my first thyroid test.

My strong advice to all GET A THYROID TEST BEORE YOU HAVE YOUR FIRST RADIATION TREATMENT.

Then have a test every 3 months after.

Hypothyroidism is a common side effect and results in needless suffering.

For new people here, you can use the "Search" word/button and find subjects that we have talked about in the past.

On the subject of Thyroid we had this thread OCF thyroid thread

We have talked about this alot because it is a common long term post radiation side effect. The best idea on the subject came in the above postings, and that is to have your thyroid levels tested BEFORE you start radiation. Then you will know what levels are normal for you and if you develop Hypothyroid your Synthroid can be adjusted to get you back to your normal. Professionals feel the normal human range is .3 to 5 (TSH) the problem is if you were a 1 before treatments they might be happy if they get it back to say 5.5. I can tell you from my experience a difference of 2 is enough to make you feel worse.

Minniea, once you get your synthroid "balanced", you will feel better than you have in probably 6 months!

Looking back through all of lab work my HMO DID test my TSH level in the pre treatment phase. My TSH hasn't changed much since then. My oncologist told me that because of IMRT they didn't expect any thyroid problems but they recommend testing every 6 months to be sure. I have had much greater sensitivity to cold then before but I am almost certain that it's a factor of the 30 lbs less insulation I'm packing around. It's been improving. My TSH levels have gone up slightly from 2.3 to 2.6. Now I'm curious what the tolerance range of the test is. I am also wondering if TSH levels, affected by radiation damage, go up over time.

Gary,
You have got me wondering if they might have done that test as part of my pre-surgery phyical. I'm going to have to ask. My new doc (the other retired) says one thing but does another. My test before the last test was an 8 and he would have left my Synthroid where it was unless I complained. He changed the Rx very slightly and the last test 2 months ago was 5.5 he thinks that is good enough and I still think it should be lower. I have even talked to my 3 brothers and they are willing to get theirs tested so I have something to go by.

I am told that the numbers do vary some over time anyway. They also tend to creep up as we age, and it is fairly common amongst seniors to have hypothyriodism (10%-20%) many do not know it.

Based upon how I felt between year 1 and year 2, the change was slow and almost unoticeable. The low thyroid also affects thinking processes (slows them down) so that you almost don't realize it is happening. When I had my first test it was 18 and I really was feeling bad. This is why I keep bringing the subject back up. Undoubtedly some people reading here will have this problem develop. Fortunately the fix is easy and the pills are fairly cheap. (A bit of a bummer to be having to take something daily for the rest of my life)

Could another sign (for women) be facial hair, when there was none previously. I never had a mustache before, but my body keeps trying to grow one now?
And although my husband looks great with his. I just don't think it's the thing for me!!!

Dinah

Hi Minnie

Like you and Mark I am hypothyroidic also. The medication has made a HUGE difference although I still seem to be colder than most people. My hair started falling out and became finer before I was diagnosed and my cholesterol level rose sharply. These were the symptoms that alerted my GP.

It will take a few weeks for the synthetic thyroxine to kick in fully, then you will feel fantastic.

Regarding the scalp, yes, the head and neck area on the side of my neck dissection all feels 'tight' and some parts are numb and others sore to touch.

From Helen, with love.

I just got a THS reading of over 150, and my g.p. just about fell over. Which among the panoply of post-treatment symptoms can be explained by this thyroid problem (increased dizziness, tiredness, weakness, slurred speech, susceptibility to cold, anemia, irritability, mental distraction)? Any thoughts appreciated.

JohnG

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Stage IV (T2, N3) Dx 10/02, Induction Chemo 12/03, IMRT radiation 3/03

Many of the things you have listed are associated with acute hypothyroid conditions. It is time for you to have an endocrinologist evaluate things and make recommendations. Also while you are now a year out, the timing is right for this to really kick in. Radiation can also affect a variety of other things especially in nasopharyngeal cancers. Nerve damage from the radiation can affect your inner ear causing vertigo (benign but distracting) and in my case I have progressive deterioration of many of my facial nerves from my radiation treatments which in the long run will cause me to have loss of control over portions of my face and neck. Radiation can induce many side effects, so besides your thyroid, do not rule out these things. But aren't you about due for your annual scans to see how things are? These scans might reveal if there are any additional problems occurring.