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Thyroid
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Thyroid

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Thyroid

  • Post
    • March 30, 2018 at 1:21 pm
    smiller
    Participant

        When my husband had is last check-up he was told his TSH numbers were elevated.  His oncologist prescribed  0.100mg of Levothyroxine.  He was given the name of an internal med doctor and was told to make an appointment with him.  My husband called and he was given an appointment in May. Should we call his oncologist and let him know that he can't be seen for two months?  And do we refill the prescription for the next two months  (he was given two refills).  His oncologist said he was prescribing the med based on his weight but it may need to be adjusted.  I know we can get the answers from his doctor but I would like some advice from someone who has had thyroid issues (from the opdivo/yervoy treatment?).

      And I have to add that the med seems to be helping tremendously with some of the things he was dealing with—being cold, depressed, not able to concentrate, and feeling exhausted.

      Thank you,

      Concerned Wife

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        • March 30, 2018 at 1:42 pm
        MichelleRHG
        Participant
          Hi, my thyroid was damaged from the combo treatment (it showed up a little after finishing the Yervoy but still on Opdivo). Anyway, if he’s hypothyroid, his free t4 should be low when his tsh is elevated.I’m assuming that was checked as well. My onc, PCP and a friend who’s a cardiologist all said you need to give the initial dose about 6 weeks to balance everything out and then re check. So,based on that, I don’t think waiting to see the other doctor is necessarily a bad thing. I didn’t know dose is based on size. I started in 50 mcg but moved up to 75 mcg and my thyroid levels have stayed within normal range there.I recently asked for my t3 levels to also be checked, since they aren’t routinely, but haven’t gotten those results yet. Hypothyroidism is pretty common and easy to treat. My tsh and t4 are checked every 2 weeks before every infusion as a routine order, but no dose changes were made until a good 6 weeks or so had passed. Good luck.
          • March 30, 2018 at 7:51 pm
          Bradley75
          Participant

            Hi Anon,

            My thyroid quit after one dose of the ipi/nivo combo.  They started me on 100 mcg of Levothyroxine and rechecked levels in three weeks.  They adjusted my dose up for a couple of months before settling on the correct dosage for me.  I actually ended up at 200 mcg.  I wouldn't wait that long to get blood work.  I would let your onc know and see if they want to recheck levels after a few weeks.  It can be very tricky when the thyroid quits.  I ping ponged quite a bit in the first few months.  Hyperthyroid is no fun either.

            Best to you and your hubby,

            Brad

            • March 31, 2018 at 12:12 am
            jennunicorn
            Participant

              If your husband is actively going through treatment then his oncologist should be the one getting regular blood work and adjusting dosage as needed. If not, then your husbands PCP can be the one to do that. Or if you want a specialist then an endocrinologist would be the way to go. 

                • March 31, 2018 at 12:43 pm
                Threefitty
                Participant

                  I didn't understand that referral. I started at 100 mg in month 3 of Opdivo, bumped to 125, 150 and now 175 in month 8. But my Onc. is totally on top of the issue. Maybe this is one of those "specialist benefits", keeping side effect management in house. I'm in a CT and do labs every 2 weeks.

                  FWIW, I have not been able discern the thyoid issue from my usual over-emotional bitchiness.

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