De quervain's Thyroiditis: Caused by treatment?

Posted by grammato3 @grammato3, Apr 9 11:06pm

Quick history: Stage IV metastatic melanoma, on Keytruda since November. Was seen in clinic 3/16 due to my reports of left sided neck pain, difficulty swallowing which I presumed was thyroiditis - confirmed on imaging. Due to various circumstances, it was relieved fairly quickly with IV steroids.

I began having similar symptoms on the right side 8 days ago. Despite a ER/PCP visit no cause was determined. Today I was instructed by onc triage to return to ER where imaging and labs now confirmed De Quervain’s Thyroiditis. I was prescribed a steroid taper and my dosage of thyroid replacement was decreased.

I’ve read about immunotherapy causing havoc on the thyroid. I’m curious if anyone else has experienced this, how long it took to resolve.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 17 8:39pm

@grammato3, did the steroid taper go okay? You mention that your thyroid replacement was decreased. Were you already taking thyroid medication for a known thyroid issue before immunotherapy? How are you doing now?

grammato3 | @grammato3 | Apr 18 8:57am

Good morning Colleen and thank you for checking in.

I have been on thyroid medication for a good 5 years or more for hypothyroidism; now I was found to have the opposite as a result of the immunotherapy on my thyroid, not a terribly uncommon response which is one reason TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is checked prior to each infusion. My dosage had to be reduced, at least temporarily.

As for the prednisone taper, I reduced the dosage this week and due to complete next Thursday, right before were traveling out of the country which does have me a bit concerned as I hope my symptoms don’t return while overseas. Aside from feeling a little jittery in them after taking my dose, I’m happy to say I’ve returned to baseline….for now, at least!