Newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer and have 2 main concerns

Hi @lise01, @hopeful23, @koh - it's been a while since I posted here. Thank you all for your updates and tips!

@lise01 good to know that you found a new GP and good luck with the oncologist appointment. I am waiting to get my TSH levels tested next week to see if there is much change from the thyroid hormone test a week after the surgery. I haven't gained any weight so far, but the scar is a thick dark line more than a month after the surgery. I am not sure if that is normal or if something else is going on. I am applying scar cream and silicone scar sheets and have never exposed the scar to sunlight, but there is no change yet.

@hopeful23 congratulations on the move! Hope you are enjoying the new place. Any updates on the thyroid hormone testing?

And how are you all feeling overall after the surgery? Are there major changes that you see?
For me, more than anything else, my GERD/Acid Reflux is completely out of control right now. (For the last year, that is the only other medical issue I have had and the PTC diagnosis came out of nowhere because I was thinking something with my colon or esophagus would show up in the tests I had.) I am at my wits' end and I wonder if the acid reflux has become worse because of changes in the thyroid hormone levels?

Ah, thanks @koh! My GERD is definitely much worse after the lobectomy and my suspicion was that the two are connected. I have been doing all that you have suggested. In addition, I have recently started having store bought (unsweetened, non-flavored) kefir while I wait for my kefir making process at home to resume (reactivating the grains) and I think that has been helping some. In a day or two I will be consuming the kefir made at home. I hope those probiotics continue to help.
I have the same issue as you - my body does not do well at all with most medications. I have to choose more natural means of fixing health issues most of the time. Famotidine and Omeprazole made my GERD worse.

How many weeks after your surgery did you test for TSH levels? And are you on Levothyroxine? Also my scar shows no sign of lightening more than a month after the surgery. In fact, it's become darker. But that is the least of my concerns right now. GERD is the main issue.

Ah, thanks @koh! My GERD is definitely much worse after the lobectomy and my suspicion was that the two are connected. I have been doing all that you have suggested. In addition, I have recently started having store bought (unsweetened, non-flavored) kefir while I wait for my kefir making process at home to resume (reactivating the grains) and I think that has been helping some. In a day or two I will be consuming the kefir made at home. I hope those probiotics continue to help.
I have the same issue as you - my body does not do well at all with most medications. I have to choose more natural means of fixing health issues most of the time. Famotidine and Omeprazole made my GERD worse.

How many weeks after your surgery did you test for TSH levels? And are you on Levothyroxine? Also my scar shows no sign of lightening more than a month after the surgery. In fact, it's become darker. But that is the least of my concerns right now. GERD is the main issue.

52 year- survivor of thyroid cancer here. Glad my surgeon removed entire gland. Only side effects: Extra skin dryness, need to monitor bone density for osteoporosis, tendency toward depression that can be managed with daily meditation, regular exercise, a spiritual support group. The older I get, the harder I work to maintain physical, emotional, spiritual wellness. It can be done, thank God. I've learned to become my own best friend, partner with God & an understanding doc, to monitor progress & track changes. Welcome to the club. With love & patience for yourself, you can do this! Ask questions of your health practitioners. I have done ok on Synthroid, but everyone is different. All the best,
Trudy, age 75

@cocha- I think I had follow up bloodwork about a 4-5 weeks after surgery and then again about 6 weeks later…. I have been having blood work about every 6 weeks due to fluctuations in levels and symptoms.
I was having symptoms of thyroid disease and felt terrible. 4 months after surgery I had to go on Synthroid ( I wanted the brand name to start out to minimize any variables). As soon as I started the medication I felt better than I had, however it has been very difficult to get regulated on it. Very tricky!
From what I read, they often try and keep the thyroid number very low to prevent cancer from spreading, however I just kept feeling worse every time dose was increased. I changed doctors and this one seems to listen to my symptoms and considers changes.
My doctor said that my TSH numbers are in the normal range however this range might not be normal for me, so he looked at old blood work and said we could try and get me to a similar level and see how I feel.
Getting regulated on Synthroid has been tricky but the issues from not taking it were severe…..if you don’t feel well, definitely give yourself time to adjust to it and monitor your symptoms. The smallest increments can make big changes with how you feel, however it takes about 6 weeks for the levels to show in bloodwork.
Good luck!

Thanks @koh. I had my bloodwork done today and the TSH numbers are way out of the normal range. But I have been feeling quite normal. I have asked my endocrinologist if I need to now start on Levothyroxine. Let's see what they say.

@cocha- I think I had follow up bloodwork about a 4-5 weeks after surgery and then again about 6 weeks later…. I have been having blood work about every 6 weeks due to fluctuations in levels and symptoms.
I was having symptoms of thyroid disease and felt terrible. 4 months after surgery I had to go on Synthroid ( I wanted the brand name to start out to minimize any variables). As soon as I started the medication I felt better than I had, however it has been very difficult to get regulated on it. Very tricky!
From what I read, they often try and keep the thyroid number very low to prevent cancer from spreading, however I just kept feeling worse every time dose was increased. I changed doctors and this one seems to listen to my symptoms and considers changes.
My doctor said that my TSH numbers are in the normal range however this range might not be normal for me, so he looked at old blood work and said we could try and get me to a similar level and see how I feel.
Getting regulated on Synthroid has been tricky but the issues from not taking it were severe…..if you don’t feel well, definitely give yourself time to adjust to it and monitor your symptoms. The smallest increments can make big changes with how you feel, however it takes about 6 weeks for the levels to show in bloodwork.
Good luck!

Ah, thanks @koh! My GERD is definitely much worse after the lobectomy and my suspicion was that the two are connected. I have been doing all that you have suggested. In addition, I have recently started having store bought (unsweetened, non-flavored) kefir while I wait for my kefir making process at home to resume (reactivating the grains) and I think that has been helping some. In a day or two I will be consuming the kefir made at home. I hope those probiotics continue to help.
I have the same issue as you - my body does not do well at all with most medications. I have to choose more natural means of fixing health issues most of the time. Famotidine and Omeprazole made my GERD worse.

How many weeks after your surgery did you test for TSH levels? And are you on Levothyroxine? Also my scar shows no sign of lightening more than a month after the surgery. In fact, it's become darker. But that is the least of my concerns right now. GERD is the main issue.