From the article: Information About Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer treatment usually involves thyroidectomy, recuperation, and radioactive iodine treatment, followed by hypothyroidism, suppressive thyroid hormone treatment, and periodic scans for recurrence. There is also the concern surrounding cancer, followup treatments, lifestyle, and concerns that the cancer may recur. Thyroid cancer patients have found a number of ways to cope with the ups and downs of life after thyroid cancer. Share your own stories here, and read the advice of other thyroid cancer patients who want to feel and live well. Share Your Ideas
Devoid for a Decade
- In 2000 I had the remainder of my thyroid removed after an earlier partial. I am thankful that God spared me and whilst I have numerous connected ailments I am otherwise blessed in my life. I live tired, have gained mass and lost my libido and don't know where I put it - yes fog too! The trouble is, when you appear normal, folks do not understand that there is an internalized, complex health challenge being waged and it is not done to verbalize this as it can affect relationships - a real dichotomy! I thank God for each day and try to maintain a positive attitude
- —Skutty
Thyroid Cancer
- I had a tiny papillary cancer ten years ago and my thyroid was removed. This was followed by L131 radioactive iodine. An endocrinologist I saw some years later informed me that he didn't think I should have had my thyroid removed!! A bit late!! I take Eltroxin but I can't find a doctor who understands the acceptable level for TSH after thyroid cancer. The original oncologist told me it should not go above 0.1, but every time my blood is tested the laboratory queries this low level. SURELY someone in the medical profession can advise the recommended TSH level for those who have had their thyroid removed. Is it necessary to maintain such a low level, with possible atrial fibrillation, years after surgery? I wish I knew!
- —Guest Juned
Thyroid Cancer Removed
- I have been on Levothyroxine (.2mg) for about 2-3 years, but lost my job on 12/10. I have not had insurance since and just ran out of my medications 4 weeks ago. I cannot afford to go to doctors to get new prescription.
- —Guest bryan
I Am Well.
- About 2.5 years ago, I found out I had thyroid cancer. I operated. Now I am well, but can not walk long distance without feeling weakness.
- —Guest amlan
What Am Trying to Do
- I was operated on. Last week, my total thyroid biopsy results state that it was a capillary cancer. I am uncomfortable with my lack of knowledge and trying to figure out what to do from here.
- —Guest Dino Lumampao
Thyroid Cancer
- If I could do it over again, I would not have had my thyroid removed for cancer. I can't lose weight, the endocrinologist tried to kill me and now I am allergic to all radiation, even iodine. I ended up in the emergency room with anaphylactic shock. I can't even take a regular vitamin pill that has iodine in it. I can't go out into the sun. There has got to be a better way to treat thyroid cancer other than total removal. The cure is a bigger death sentence than the disease.
- —viewvalley
Do Endos have Cerebral Cortexes?
- 1. The thyroid gland is the regulator of ALL bodily functions. Too often, Messianic Doctors remove it mistakenly. Even if it's cancer, the nodes should be tested at least 3 times using FNA and then removed (just the nodes.) 2. Synthroid is a terrible drug. No T3, T2, or T1. We magically make our own. Some of us do not. I would wager that MOST of us do not. 3. The absolute uselessness of the TSH test is a direct assault on patients, and on 'good science' (if there is such a thing in the West.) 4. Only a doctor that uses combination therapies can return a person to health when their thyroid is gone. (Diet, naturopathy, vitamins, acupuncture, full spectrum doses of T3.) News: a TSH of 0.01 is NORMAL in a person with a non-functioning thyroid, or no thyroid at all. Use your BRAINS, Endos. 5. If some of us sound angry, it's because we are. This "one little pill a day and you'll fly off to fairyland" is junk science. Forget numbers. LOOK, LISTEN!... idiots.
- —_Jessica_Williams
Levothyroxine
- Since my thyroid was found to have cancer and removed, I have been on levothyroxine and I am doing great. Find the system that works for YOU and stick with it, but never stop researching!
- —Guest cindy
Good Days and Bad Days
- In 2002, I had my thyroid removed. I agree eating right and exercising is the only REAL way. I exercise at least 5 days a week and I maintain my weight, but I do not lose weight. I am 46 and have hit menopause. At times I just cry and can't stop. I have no support in my family because they will not read the information to see what I am going through. I agree that 1 pill can't replace what God created.
- —Guest Elaine Crawford
The Good Cancer? I Think So
- Finding out that I had cancer was one of the best days of my life! Why??? Because I realized on that day that there is no tow bar on my coffin. I decided to go get my health right, my relationships right, get out of debt, and do the things that I really wanted to do. After my operation and treatment I changed my thought patterns. I won't let anything hold me back! I no longer worry about wrinkles, aging and if my arse looks fat in jeans. I took my kids out of school (and did home schooling) and my hubby took long service leave. We sold all of our belongings and travelled around Australia and had the best year of my life. I have now been accepted for my dream job at 40. Other people are not so fortunate with getting a second chance at life. I only see cancer as a word and not a sentence. Life is great! Attitude is your altitude.
- —Guest Lougrass
Glad to Have Him
- My husband was diagnosed with thyroid cancer this time last year. We live in Spain and 3 weeks after diagnoses he had had the operation to remove the thyroid and 10 nodes. In April 2011, he had nuclear med and he is going for another dose of RAI next week. He is 41 and we have 3 young children. I have read all your emails and see in every one of you a strength that is a help to me. I do understand the weight gain and the tiredness and the foggy brain but what i am getting from reading this is that you are all fighters and as in my husband's voice "Refuse to Lose" Thyroid Cancer may be the so called good one but it leaves you with the fight for the rest of your life. I hope this will be the last time my husband has to go through RAI as I feel so helpless and unable to help him through it. God bless all of you going through the same thing and all your words have helped me understand what he is going through even though we talk very openly about it.
- —Guest jaine
Doctors Playing God
- In the 39 years since my thyroidectomy, I have suffered with all kinds of ailments due to doctor's inability to LISTEN to me. This site has given me more insight to the problem than any doctor. For years, I kept telling my doctors that the formulas of medications just weren't right yet. That something was still lacking. I kept saying there ARE better (or better said, were better) medications than some others. All medications re not all the same and when formulations are changed many things can occur. Though, to my knowledge, none of the new formulations have been for the better. I have struggled with weight gain, intestines going whack, skin looking old, hair falling out, joints and muscles aching, and becoming solitary and depressed. I can't think. Sometimes I read a paragraph and have to read it again to comprehend what I just read. I am so tired that I even tried street drugs to make me feel better, but that only worked for a short time. Good Cancer?! My daughter had leukemia 5 years ago. She is back doing all the things a young lady should. I am still a slave to my diagnosis.
- —Guest thiamia
No Synthroid for Me
- Synthroid was almost the death of me. It was all I could do to get off the couch. Thank God for a specialist (not an endocrinologist) who told me about Naturethroid. He also tested my adrenals and treated those. The cancer really needs a number on them. It's been 2 years, and I feel better than I have for a long time. I went gluten free and have lost 30 lbs. I finally have energy to live.
- —Guest Dana
To the person on Levothyroxine
- Hi I'm reading comments. Thanks to all of you I'm recently diagnosed. A coworker, had issues when he took levothyroxine(generic I think) instead of synthroid. He went back on synthroid and says he feels fine.
- —Guest Cindy
Much of the Same
- As I read through everyone's experiences, I have now found answers to my own situation. It's been 3 years and hopefull the thyrogen treatment is coming as soon as the medicine arrives (back-logged). I'm tired everyday, cannot lose weight and occasionally am depressed. When the weather turns cold, it is harder to swallow. Not fun - as I told my endo, I am not a happy person..
- —Guest Kathy
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