Total Thyroidectomy one year ago due to cancer.

[angel6376]

Im on 300 mcg of syntyroid.My T.S.H was .70 fri low normal.My free T4 was high it was 1.75 on fri.I have had a weight gain of 70 lbs in this year after my thyroidectomy.wich has caused me to stop eating.ive not lost any.but ive not gaind any more. in the last 2 months. ive stoped eating. My paratyroid's are gone to. im on 18 pills of caltrate 600+D a day.0.5mcg of calcitriol 2x a day. so far that has keept me out of the hospital for I.V calcium.but im still low.calcium test were 6.8 fri.I also have severe R/A. im on methotrexate,celibrex,tramadol,3 months after my Thyroidectomy my calcium droped to 1.2.I went in to a seizure.and have had them ever sence..thay say i now have Epilepsy. and im on dilantin and topamax.The R/A I have had for 8 years.the other stuff hit me in the year after the thyroide cancer.My Endocrinologist is lost to. he has no answers.also i forgot to add im on 15mg of warfarin a day. due to a blood clot 7 years ago that went to my lung.Im not on hear asking for a miracle. can any more be done? so i can be semi normal agin? the weight gain? I would like to eat once inawile. the calcium? 18 pills a day make me sick to my tummy.the grandmal seizures? could it be becuse of calcium? im a 30 year old female who is sick of being sick. 2 endocrinologist later im still not better.what could we be missing? Any addvice?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Tough situation --

1) the synthroid dose requirement is high -- this brings up absorption issues -- either a GI problem or all the calcium tablets are binding up the synthroid.

2) TSH of 0.7 may be ok - but ask the thyroid specialist what is the target given the cancer history -- often we shoot for a lower TSH in these cases depending on the risk of the cancer.

3) Consider an increase in calcitriol to lower the caltrate # of pills -- there is no way you are absorbing that much calcium in the caltrate.

4) Dilantin may increase weight, while topamax may have the opposite effect

5) consider adding T3 (cytomel) to the synthroid.

6) Would defer the epilepsy diagnosis to the neurologist, If it's just the low Ca  then I am not sure this is epilepsy and the key would be to stabilize the Ca.

Good luck.

[lawteddy]

I am so sorry that you are having all of these issues.  Did they all start after your TT or did you have them in mild form before?  Did you have any weight issues before the TT?  I don't know much about it but have they checked you for cushings?

[angel6376]

Yes I have allways had weight issues..but neaver this bad..the Rheumatoid arthritis I have had for 8 years...that was not a new problem. or due to the Thyroidectomy...the rest of the things I listed .yes it all started soon after the TT. and has just got worse and worse sence.no thay have not tested me for cushings..im going to look it up and read some info on it. thank you very much for something to start with.Angel

[lawteddy]

One more thought - I heard that if you take calcium too close to your synthroid then it may affect the absorption of the synthroid.  good luck.....

[becka1]

I thought I would write in to you to let you know that I also had a total thyroidectomy in August of 2006 and I've had nothing but probelms since. I also had cancer of the thyroid, anyway after surgery they put me on thyroid hormone replacement called Levoxyl 125mcg but I'am still tired all the time and I have gained 40 lbs since the surgery?My endocrinoligist says my thyroid levels are low normal so everything is normal but I do not feel my normal self.It is hard to take care of children and work while running a household when you feel tired all the time! Not only that but I never had weight problems before, I have always weighed about 125-130 lbs so I'am also lost. I'am also 33years of age so I really don't know what to do next but it helps to know I'am not all alone out there. Thanks for sharing your story it reminded me of myself, hopefully we will get some anwsers for our probelms!

[kfrn]

Have you ever talked with Dr. Bruce West at Health Alert.com.  He might be able to help you with more natural remedies that don't have side effects on your body like the chemical drugs you are taking now.

[BonneyRu]

I, too, have hypoparathyroidism due to thyroidectomy (thyroid CA in 1999).  Parathyroids were damaged/removed.  Blood calcium balance, along with a healthy TSH and PTH is tricky.  Several things to keep in mind:

1.  Take your thyroid medication on an EMPTY stomach (either immediately after awaking in the A.M. or at least 2 hours after final meal in evening).

2.  ALWAYS, ALWAYS take your calcium at least 4 hours after your thyroid med if you are taking the thyroid in the a.m.  

3.  The amount of calcium you are taking is way high and may, indeed, be binding with your thyroid medication.  I have battled hyperthyroidism due the very same reason you are right now.  And, too, wound up in ER with hypocalcemia tetany.  Today, I am stabilized (we go one day at a time) and I am taking (5) OSCAL 600+D, along with Vitamin D 2.5 (Rocaltrol, Calciferol) 2x a day.  My thyroid is taken when I awake, 1 Rocaltrol plus 2 Oscal at lunch, 1 Oscal at Dinner, and 2 Oscal plus 1 Rocaltrol at bedtime.

3.  Regarding your hypohidrosis - my Endo told me I had HYPERhidrosis because I was sweating profusely.  I had to really bear down on her to get her to lower my thyroid medication (from .125 to .112) because I was feeling hyper.  At that ime, my TSH was .02, my FT4 was .92 and my FT3 was 154. Been nearly 3 weeks now and the so called "hyperhidrosis" is almost nonexistent.  Surely it was due to being hyper.  Having ACTH tomorrow and redraw of thyroid.

I'm explaining this 'cause parathyroids and thyroid problems can wreck havoc on the system, and you are already experiencing so many other problems.  Be sure to get your TSH, FT4 and FT3 in good ranges, get the calcium under control (you MUST eat, or your gut can't help you with your calcium issues) and you will be able to concentrate on your other issues.

Good luck!