Hypothyroidism post radiation

Hypo/hyper, it happens. As I understand it, the thyroid can get bruised during radiotherapy with a result of a wing or two either over or under producing the chemicals needed to balance the endocrine system.
In my case it was one wing which is easily seen on a thyroid scan as being significantly enlarged, over-producing T3 and T4 (triiodothyronine and thyroxine). A small amount of medicine (methimazole 5mg 3x/wk) keeps this overproduction in check. The alternative is to have the thyroid destroyed and be dependent upon artificial thyroid replacement drugs; not a good idea if we happen to have a zombie apocalypse. Initially roughly three months after treatment my thyroid crashed, exhibiting classic symptoms of a heart attack. Eventually my thyroid mellowed out resulting in the over-active status of today, now better than twenty years out although with slight improvement in the past five years (old age likely).
I have known others who have had under-production in the thyroid due to radiation as well. In fact i would guesstimate this is more common than my situation. A blood test showing TSH, Free T3 and T4 levels on a thirty or sixty day cycle and graphing the results would be an excellent way to get a handle on your situation.
Your thyroid being off can really make a person feel like a pile of horse apples, in your case being hypo, your energy level is low and you just want to sleep all the time whilst putting on weight or other unpleasant side effects.
So yes, another fine gift from cancer treatment but this one is easily managed. I wish you well.

chanderson @chanderson,

I had the same thing happen to me with the thyroid getting destroyed and getting hypothyroidism from the 35 rounds of Photon radiation about a year later too. Unfortunately, you will have to take a small pill called Levothyroxine commonly known as Synthroid for the thyroid for the rest of your life. Definitely something to be aware of so if you will feel very fatigue get a Thyroid (TSH) test as William mentioned above.

Things do get better as I have been on this medication for 14yrs now and running.

Blessings,

Rob

Me too. I take 2 different pills every day and they seem to help. My blood tests show that my thyroid is functioning normally but I still feel very lethargic. I’m trying to figure out if it’s something else that might be causing this. I’m 2 yrs out also and just dealing with a thyroid issue. It’s up and down?!