How do you manage daily thyroid hormone replacement after cancer?

Managing daily hormone replacement therapy is a significant adjustment that many thyroid cancer survivors navigate, and creating a consistent routine often becomes key to maintaining stable levels. The thyroid cancer community here has shared valuable insights about timing medications, working closely with endocrinologists on dosage adjustments, and tracking how different factors like stress or other medications might affect hormone levels. Many find it helpful to discuss any persistent symptoms or concerns during regular follow-ups, as finding the right balance can take time and fine-tuning with medical guidance.

My granddaughter was almost lost when she was 6. Her body destroyed her thyroid and by the time we found out she was critical. She has been on thyroid replacement since then. She is 28 now and has always battled different nedical issues.

Hello Liwanag. I also have thyroid cancer but a very rare and aggressive type called "poorly differentiated". I had a full thyroidectomy in Aug of this yr. I also take levothyroxine. Im not sure if its the medication but I find myself tired very often. It hasn't curved my appetite at al! Lol! Lack of energy to do much tho. I remain optimistic and as positive as I can be. I serve a GOOD GOD! 😇 I have another surgery coming up on Jan 6, then my first round of radiation. Im afraid of wat the side effects will be like. Keep u posted.

Thyroid problems can make your very tired. Sometimes the dosage is off. Levothyroxine is the generic of Synthroid. The name brand is sometimes better

Thank u Dawn.

I had a total thyroidectomy in June of 2018. I am almost 70 now, but way back when I was in college, a dr discovered I had thyroid nodules. I was on a huge dosage of synthroid to “put my thyroid to sleep & hopefully shrink the nodules”, which years later studies proved that theory wrong (although it did cause bone loss). For years I was just monitored (no meds) by an endocrinologist and had many biopsies, but no cancer was found. Then in 2017, I noticed at work, my ankles were swelling & my hands were shaking. I always came back to Atlanta to see my dr who practiced integrative medicine. She called me 2 weeks later to let me know that my blood work showed my thyroid was producing 4 times the hormones it should be. I had Graves’ disease. I went to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville (where I lived at the time), where my thyroid was completely removed. After that, I felt horrible. I gained weight, had no energy, was depressed, etc. I could not get my thyroid hormone levels back up. I was on 100 mcg of brand specific synthroid. The Mayo Clinic acknowledged that I was not converting the synthroid (T-4) to T-3, which gives you your energy. Some people do struggle with this. The problem is, regular drs don’t prescribe additional T-3. Thank goodness my integrated dr took over & prescribed compounded T-3 (Liothyronine) 14 mcg, from a compounding pharmacy inside Northside Hospital in Cumming, GA. She lowered my synthroid to 88mcg. I immediately started feeling better and it took about a year, but my weight & energy went back to normal and I’m 100% fine now. Some people are fine with just the T-4 (synthroid or a generic). I was not.

Thank u for sharing Lauren. How blessed u have been that no cancer was found! Stay healthy!

I’ve had breast cancer twice, once on each side…but unrelated to the thyroid issue.