Worsening symptoms...menopause vs. complications of thyroid cancer

Posted by glickteig @glickteig, Dec 11, 2024

I was first diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer (T3a) in April 2016. I underwent a complete thyroidectomy & neck dissection followed by 2 courses of I131.
Initially I lost my voice for 6 weeks, but gradually it came back. Almost immediately following surgery I experienced shortness of breath (SOB) and acid reflux. After several visits to (2) ENT doctors and (2) pulmonologists with scopes and lung function tests, it was determined my right vocal cord is paralyzed in closed position making it hard for me to breathe. Okay...I just huff and puff a little more.
Over the past 8 years other symptoms are getting worse including extreme fatigue, night-time migraines, elevated night-time blood pressure, weight gain, achy joints, cholesterol, blood sugars, etc. TSH lab work done every year and providers insist my Synthroid dosage is what it should be. They attribute my worsening symptoms to menopause. When I ask if there is something we can do to correct these problems providers are all reluctant to prescribe anything due to my history of thyroid cancer. All they recommend is I talk with a dietician which I have done twice.
I keep a food diary and they say I eat healthy, but health problems are interfering with my life. They say symptoms are hormone related but they will not prescribe any HRT. I am feeling so frustrated and tired of the run-around. I want to be able to enjoy life, but just don't have the energy. Also am alarmed at my high blood sugars and high cholesterol and SOB. I do not want to have a stroke on top of everything. Anyone have any advice?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Thyroid Cancer Support Group.

@colleenyoung

@glickteig, if you are considering a second opinion at Mayo Clinic, you can self-refer. Here's the link to get started http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

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Thank you Colleen for the link.

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