Tx related hypothyroid

[sunshine585]

Hi, I posted on the other side but only got 1 response. I finished tx 1 month ago. My thyroid was fine all through tx but at the very end, I had anoth tsh done and it was up to 9. I'm wondering, if this is common, uncommon? Does it usually correct? I have constant headaches lately, not as bad as the tx headaches, but constant. Other symptoms, but hard to dirrerentiate whether its post tx related or hypothyroid related. Even so, I have to quickly say, I still feel better than when I was on tx. I hope some people who had tx related hypothy. will chime in.

[lapis]

No answer from me cause I'm only in tx wk 8.  I've actually had hypothyroidism for 23 years and have taken medication for it daily all that time.  I'm curious to see what (if any) effect my tx will have on my thyroid.  I have read that others have had thyroid changes, don't know about duration or severity.  It is listed as one of the potential side effects of tx.

Just wanted to give you some kind of response : )

[jdwithhcv]

My thyroid went hypo near the end of tx.  TSH was mildly elevated.  I'm told this is common.  I'm on synthroid now and my PCP says it is correcting itself. TSH is WAY DOWN.  Not sure if this means I can stop taking the med, we're waiting for one more round of blood work.

jd

[meakea]

My TSH had started to climb prior to me starting TX - I think it was at about 6 prior to TX.  After a month on TX, my TSH went to 8 so I saw an endocrinologist.  She told me that typically she doesn't start people on thyroid meds until their TSH is 10 or above OR unless they are having symptoms of hypothyroid.  But, since I was on TX when my TSH went to 8, she started me on a very low dose of Synthroid just to be sure.  

So, for you, I would think that your TSH of 9 is still okay (unless you are having obvious hypothyroid symptoms) and that they will recheck you in a few months to see if it's coming back down -- since you're done with TX.  Is that what the plan is?  Are they going to recheck you?

[sunshine585]

Thanks for your comments, it really helps to know others are having the same experiences. My next appt. is on Dec 22. I'm hoping this will correct itself. I wonder what the pecentage is of people who have tx related hypothyroid, correcting and having no further problems?

[zazza]

My TSH was fine until week 68, when it went up to 7.3. My doc wanted to take me off tx at that point, but I did some research and contacted an endocrinologist and decided to do the remaining 4 weeks I had to go. At EOT my thyroid was already back to 4.2, and 6 weeks post tx it was down to 2.9. So apparently my thyroid just went temporarily hypo during tx.

[Teufelhunden]

My thyroid went south about halfway through my 48 week journey. It must have liked the weather because it never came back. The doctor said I'll be on synthroid for the rest of my life. Gee, thanks doc. Lets hope your's makes the rebound.

[dperry10]

Tx definately made my thyroid go Hypo.. During tx it was Hyper, I lost over 100 lbs during the 48 weeks, but not as bad until about week 38, then I lost weight quickly.   Within a week of being off tx I started gaining, and gained back 35 lbs.  I am currently on Synthroid as well , and tested after 12 wks of being on it, and it was normal, so to keep it there, have to take synthroid for the rest of my life.     The meds messed me up, but I am SVR, so no complaints.  I can take a pill a day..  

Best of luck to your SVR.  

[geterdone]

Sounds like the last month to six weeks or so finally did your thyroid in…. toxicity level hit max. Hopefully now that you’re off treatment this may only be temporary.  Congrats on finishing treatment, long live SVR...

Thyroid bounced for first 4 months then went hyper then went hypo the last 2 months. Tapered off the synthroid 2 months post and at 3 months PCR thyroid back to normal.

jasper

[sunshine585]

Thankyou for all of your responses. It's funny, at the clinic, it sounded like this was one of the more uncommon sides, but it seems to me, it is fairly common. Sounds like a bit of a **** shoot as to whether I'll normalize or not. I have question to the doc on the thyroid site just waiting to hear back. In the meantime, I'll have to push myself to be more active to speed up my metabolism. I initially lost 18 lbs., now have very quickly gained it back.

Jasper Thanks for the congrats on finishing tx. It sure feels good, to feel good, lol. Not quite normal yet, but much better. I was told my chances of SVR were 20-30%, but 1 month post tx I'm UND yayyy!

[zazza]

Congratulations on being UND 1 month post! Looking good, looking good...

[Deb_c430]

My Heptologist told me only 8%  thyroids do not correct, Most do, Nygirls is one who hasn't, one of the 8%.

Zaza on the hand did correct after finishing treatment,  Debby NY  lives ok with hers, so don't panic,

Best wishes! and woohoo on UND!

Deb

[sunshine585]

Thankyou so much, I'm very optomistic.

[sunshine585]

Thanks for the stats, interesting to know, and the good wishes.

[nygirl7]

Sorry I'm late I've been working on a project here at work and been so busy I haven't had time to get on much.

" I wonder what the pecentage is of people who have tx related hypothyroid"

at about week 24 I went extremely hyper (tsh 0.0) then by the time I got to the nuclear imaging scan 3 weeks later I switched to hypo (tsh6.2). That's what is very common and happens most of the time.

I started synthroid at that time and have been on it for over two years  - keeps my tsh just about perfect .63

At least if it doesn't turn around since you are hypo its not nearly as bad as being hyper. Less dangerous and they won't have to remove your thyroid or anything so you have that blessing. Worse come to worse it's only a pill every day in the morning and that's it.

Hopefully though it will be your Christmas present and you won't need to take it!

Good luck. I am one of the 8% but I did treat for an additional 48 weeks after it went bonkers.........all that interferon didn't help me much.  72 weeks just gave it too much time to become worthless. Still I'm doing fine and if that is the worst that happens.....I can live with it!