Thyroid Cancer Survivorship.
I have cancer… now what?
Thyroid Cancer Survivorship involves all aspects of our lives–being a survivor will live with us forever. While that may seem daunting, we’ve got a huge community waiting with open arms.
Some survivorship topics:
replacement thyroid hormone therapy
care plans
pregnancy
weight loss
anxiety - “scan-xiety”
Thyroid Hormones
Thyroid -Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
TSH stimulates the thyroid to release T4 and T3 into your bloodstream. TSH comes from your hypothalamus.
Thyroxine (T4)
One of two major hormones made by the thyroid gland. Your thyroid mostly creates T4, which is an inactive hormone. T4 gets created into T3, which is more active. It helps to control the rate your body uses energy.
Triiodothyronine (T3)
The other major hormone made by your thyroid gland which works with T4 to control the rate your body uses energy.
Replacement Thyroid Hormone Therapy
After a thyroidectomy, you’ll need replacement thyroid hormones to replace what your body is no longer making. Your doctor will monitor your TSH.
If your TSH is too high...
Your doctor may prescribe you a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress (lower) your TSH further. Other causes of a too high TSH might be explored, such as any new nodules or Thyroglobulin levels.
If your TSH is too low...
Your doctor may prescribe you a lower dose of TSH in order to raise it. Monitoring will have to be done to ensure your TSH doesn't then become too high. Other levels like Free T4 or Free T3 may be looked at. There could be other reasons besides just too much replacement thyroid hormone medication.
More Educational Resources
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Endocrine Basics
Information on thyroid hormone replacement medication, care plans and what comes after.
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Thyroid Disease
Learn the difference between hypo- and hyperthyroidism, and Graves Disease.
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Thyroid Cancer
Learn about the types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, anapestic and hürthle cell.
