Thyroid is out of whack

[frustrateddee]

Hi. I was told to stop incivek by Dr. today because I felt so bad, but then found out my TSH is 9.025 and the normal is .3-3.0 so my question is should I try and continue incivek and work on my TSH level because I know that my TSH is part of the reason that I am so depressed and miserable. I called my Dr. and they said we can talk to Dr. tomorrow? Should I take them tonight when I haven't been told to? I have two weeks left. ???  

[willbb]

What do you mean  two weeks left? Two weeks of INC. ..so you are at week 10?
Why did the doctor suggest you stop the Inci..?

What were your PCR results and when did you go UND.?

Are you taking meds (synthyroid ) for your hypothyroidism?

If you doctor is experinced with treating HCV then it is always best to take their advice ,especially when it concerns dosing...just wondering why he thought that was best?

Some people here have stopped the Inci. a bit early  if their doctors felt the side effects were overwhelming,however "when"you were UND. is important when you and your clinician make that decision..

Best...Will

Will

[willbb]

If you are interested in having a look and listen to this presentation  ..on the 5th section they talk about managing adverse events and time reduced on Incivek was mentioned.
You will have to register for the site ,however it is free..

Good luck..
Will

http://www.clinicaloptions.com/Hepatitis/Treatment%20Updates/Battling%20HCV/Interactive%20Virtual%20Presentations/Adverse%20Events.aspx

[frustrateddee]

I was UND at week 5 but as the weeks went on it has become unbearable...labs are ok but started to get very depressed and multiple new sx's which I can now relate to thyroid. It feels like because I know now why I am having the new crazy sx's I could handle the next two wks. IDK argh :(

[crossroadsec]

So what week are you in tx? I would hope, if UND, that my Dr would keep me on tx. Maybe if they get the thyroid straightened out...
Good luck. Karen :)

[suezeeque]

Are thyroid issues related to PIs?  Definitely mentioned as a side effect of interferon.  

[frustrateddee]

Really? a side affect of interferon? hhhmm

[frustrateddee]

Ten weeks...had two more to go. Feeling like a failure :( thyroid is a bad one on me as far as mood and racing thoughts...shouldn't that be at least considered before I stop? It also has made me so tired and weak in the past w/o being on tx.. Shouldn't it be factered in before I stop completely/ Just sayin

[willbb]

If your labs are all ok ,it very well may be the Interferon causing the depression you  are feeling. It is a fairly common side effect.
Has the doctor spoken about possibly starting an Antidepressant?
Sometimes though they can take between 2 to 4 weeks to take full effect.

Not sure stopping the Inci. early will do much for the depression  and yes having a TSH of  9 most likely isn't helping matters much either.INF can have this effect on thyroid also Hopefully  they can start you on synthroid or if on it already  maybe  get his thoughts about increasing the dose.

Hope it all works out and you get to feeling better...and hey Congrats on the week 5 UND...  

Will

[indy531]

Did your MD put you  on anti depressants? Have you told your MD about depression? My thyroid is hypo now but started Synthroid last week and have been on AD's since beginning of tx.

[frustrateddee]

Thanks Will.. I am on thyroid meds. and it still went nuts...do you think that is the interferon? I'm freakin out! Hate feeling helpless!

[frustrateddee]

I'm on thyroid and antidepressants. Obviously my thyroid meds need adjusted and we should at least try that and keep me on incivek...am I crazy? Do I have a choice in this? TSH of 9.025 when I started tx it was 1.27!

[hrsepwrguy]

5.6 Endocrine Disorders
PEGASYS causes or aggravates hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and
diabetes mellitus have been observed to develop in patients treated with PEGASYS. Patients with these
conditions at baseline who cannot be effectively treated by medication should not begin PEGASYS therapy.
Patients who develop these conditions during treatment and cannot be controlled with medication may require
discontinuation of PEGASYS therapy.

http://www.gene.com/gene/products/information/pegasys/pdf/pi.pdf

[willbb]

There is no reason to freak out and you are certainly not helpless..

You are in the 10th week of a gruelling treatment regime and are having some side effects that with the proper care can be mamged.

Also your treatmeants going well clinically as you are UND. at this point

Sounds like you are having some depression issues that you need to speak to your doctor about  and yes you are hypothyroid that is  most likely been made worse from the INF

When the doctor saw the reading of 9 did he not suggest an increased dose of synthroid?

And has he not suggested possibly an AD?

My suggestion is when you see him tommorow .dicuss these things and ask him to help you remedy them.

That is being proactive...not helpless...

Hang in there you can do this...... ...
Will

[crossroadsec]

The helpless thing is part of the root of everything we're facing. I try the philosphical approach and see what meaning I can get out of all of this.
Then I give up and eat oatmeal and say swear words silently.
Oh. And not to make light of ur situation - but I got gloves for Christmas and tore off the middle finger if that cardboard form... I wave it around from time to time and laugh my head off.
Seriously hope you get it sorted out. I've been checked for thyroid a lot and was told by a dr years ago that every woman's endocrine system is so sensitive.  It's like a spider web. Pluck one strand and the whole thing vibrates. That includes the thyroid. Karen :)

[hrsepwrguy]

I am just pointing out that thyroid problems can be caused by inf not trying to scare you and think you will have to stop. Speak with your doc as will said and see what needs to be done to get this under control.

[frustrateddee]

Hell Yeah Will! I am being proactive! They blew my calls back off and said they will talk to me tomorrow w/o taking incivek...that makes me feel helpless! Also I am continuing INF for 24 weeks and I sure the hell don't want to screw that up by stating all this because what if he stops that? Why can't I just get levoxyl adjusted? OMG Don't want to miss doses if I can do this...ya know

[frustrateddee]

Man we have been plucking away Karen! OMG

[crossroadsec]

I'm w you on not telling dr stuff. I've occasionally reached a point w side effects where I keep my mouth shut n let my labs do the talking.
It's such a freaking gamble. Sigh. I'm w you on fighting for the right to stay on. You've got too much time invested. Go girl!! Karen :)

[frustrateddee]

Thank you! This is my life and the Dr. needs to listen. My thyroid makes a big difference and I would just like to adjust and keep it movin...I would prefer to keep tryin! Thanks Girl!

[frustrateddee]

What about decreasing the INC dose? Is that an option?

[frustrateddee]

Hey Willbb....are my chances for SVR better because I was an early respondent even though I stopped INC two weeks early? Figured you would know something on that? :)  

[Tippyclubb]

Even if you stop taking the Incivek your still going to feel bad.  The problem is your thyroid is way out out whack and you need medication to get your level back between .3-3.  If I were you I would not stop taking the PI but instead work on getting your thyroid level correct.  

It will take for the medication to work sometimes a few weeks and you will need to get your blood work done at least once a month to check your TSH level.  Looks like your TSH number is hyper throid and yes that will make you feel real bad and you need to correct is ASAP.

I had huge thyroid issues during tx switching from hypo to hyper and hyper is way worse in my opinion.  Are you on thyroid meds now--if so you definetly need an adjustment.  If not you should ask him to put you on one.

[frustrateddee]

Oh Hyper? I thought the higher the TSH the lower. That is why my level of 1.27 that I had before was a great fit. I had more energy the lower the TSH level. 9.025 is super Hypo I believe...but either way...let me adjust and continue right. This TSH level has made things 10x worse. :(

[Tippyclubb]

I see you are on Synthroid.  Why won't your doctor make an adjustment in you medication level?  If he won't do it I 'd go to another doctor.  When I was on tx they re adjusted my synthroid level about 10 times.  

Its bad enough your feeling bad from tx but when the thyroid acts up you feel 20 times worse.  If he does adjust your thyroid meds you will feel better in a few weeks.  

My TSH levels were low like your but never once did my doc want to pull me off tx he just changed my medicine.