So 9 months after my thyroid cancer diagnosis I'm still struggling to cope. Still haven't dealt with my diagnosis, worried that the cancer will return ( dodgy lymph nodes), still haven't gone back to work. I want my life to return to normal but I'm scared about the uncertainty of what will happen.
I know thyroid cancer is meant to be the best to get and easy to treat and I should feel grateful but I'm struggling 
Hi. I was 4yrs ago, and it’s difficult. It’s hard trying to pretend all is well as husband (and I) believed the take a tab and all will be well. This current environment is very hard too and doesn’t help ones mental attitude at all.
Keep your chin up. Do they have a plan in place for you?? Keep on top of your vitamins and minerals as that makes a huge difference for the effort involved. Xx
Was just about to say same as Hay2016
Extremely important to regularly test vitamin levels and make sure all vitamins are OPTIMAL
ALWAYS get actual results and ranges
Previous post....you were waiting for vitamin results
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Have you had results?
All came back within range
Within range is not necessarily adequate
Eg vitamin D ....anything over 50nmol is “in range “
On levothyroxine we need vitamin D at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol maybe better
B12 - typically range is 180- 680 approx
We need B12 at least over 500
Folate and ferritin at least half way through range
Extremely common to need to supplement virtually continuously to maintain optimal vitamin levels
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine?
Many people find different brands are not interchangeable
I stick to the same brand of levothyroxine and I take it at 4 in the morning so it doesn't interact with my breakfast
Katie 1982 I'm sorry you had thyroid cancer and even more sorry that you are struggling.
I would have thought that you would be advised/treated by an Endocrinologist as your thyroid gland was removed.
I have my thyroid gland and could not improve at all on levothyroxine or on a T4/T3 combination. Sometimes I believe we can be sensitive to the fillers/binders in the thyroid hormone replacement.
Eventually I was prescribed some T3 along with my T4 and I was astonished at the difference my body felt with T3 added. Amazing. Eventually I took T3 only and it suited me very well.
Please request a trial of T3 (or even a T4/T3 to begin with) and I know it will be difficult as it is very, very expensive. You are entitled to T3 and you should be under the care of an Endocrinologist. If so, and he/she hasn't prescribed some T3 to your T4 please request a trial.
Unfortunately, the impact of thyroid cancer is very underestimated by doctors. It is a cancer that many of us just live with, not knowing if we are free of it, whether it will return and often unsure of how we should be monitored or whether and how we should be monitored. Raising the question of T3 is often badly responded to and can make it more difficult to establish the good communication with practitioners that we need, unfortunately. I have not found Endocrinologists helpful.
When we feel unwell after thyroidectomy we often get useless advice from doctors. My suggestion is to be clear about how you should be monitored. Ask for your target TSH level to be recorded and shared with you and copied to your GP if not already done.
Get your vitamins optimal, not just anywhere in range and keep them there. Ensure good nutrition and keep your gut in good condition. Being hypothyroid seems to affect gut function for some people so pay more attention to nutrition. Apparently eating over 30 varieties of veg, fruit, nuts, seeds weekly greatly improves gut function.
Generally speaking with well differentiated thyroid cancer, spread to lymph nodes doesn't mean a worse prognosis from what I've read. So, I would relax about that and just follow the monitoring plan.
I started to get better when I got my vitamin levels good but its not an instant fix because it takes 6 months or more for your body to recover from deficiencies. Check whether you lost parathyroid glands or whether they were damaged. Mild calcium deficiency won't show in bloods but may give you some symptoms that would not necessarily be recognised as low calcium since it seems that doctors are only trained to pick up extreme symptoms like tetany. Low calcium doesn't always show in blood tests as your body will rob your bones to maintain calcium blood levels. So keep a check on vitamin D levels as it helps you to absorb calcium. Maintain good levels and get calcium levels checked too. When taking vitamin D3 it's advised to take magnesium and K2-MK7 alongside.
Some anaesthetic contains nitrous oxide which can knock out B12 so you need to check it. If it was low in the first place it could be reduced further and you'll only know with blood tests to rule it out. See Slowdragon's post for info on optimal B12 levels.
Staying physically and mentally healthy after thyroidectomy can be achieved but you have to positively work at it with the advice and support from this forum.
I live a full, busy life, working full time in a demanding job but it took me a few years to get there. I know others the same. You will get there too.
PS, I don't think you need to feel grateful about 'only' getting thyroid cancer because you've lost a very important part of your body and being on lifelong medication is also quite onerous, especially when you're reminded that you can't live for long without it... So it's not a nice disease or condition to find yourself with... But the up side is like lots of us, you will most likely have a good, fulfilling life once you've worked out how to live with it.
Hi. I read your post. Doesn’t matter how cancer comes it’s the C Word and frightens you stiff. I say this with total respect. You may need to seek professional help to help you through the trauma and grief of the diagnosis and living with cancer and all it entails. There is a lot of support on this site but I recommend politely to seek psychological help to help you process all you went through and continue to go through. All my love to you and best wishes NIKEGIRL
In my 30s and it's papillary.
I agree I do want to focus on something else and try and forget about the past year. It's just easier said than done. I feel very grateful that it is a cancer thats easy to treat but after 9 months with no support I guess I'm struggling. I don't know if its because of the pandemic or the way that thyroid cancer is perceived as easy to treat but I feel I have had no support from anyone medical. I haven't seen my GP since my diagnosis and I've seen an endo to arrange RAI and for a one follow up after it.
I haven’t had thyroid cancer - only hashimoto’s - so I have no advice. So I’m just sending a virtual hug to try and cheer you up. Just try and chill over xmas with lots of rest and tackle it all in the new year. Im sure they’ll get your levels better soon 💖
Did you struggle when you were first diagnosed?
Hi Katie,I had a TT 3 years ago due to thyroid cancer. It will get better I promise. Everyone is different on how they handle this news. Just think you have had your op and I take it you have had treatment. I would be lying if I don't worry about having my 6 month check up and bloods but you have got though the hardest part which is the op and treatment. I was off 7 months and was worried about going back to work, but if your Dr is happy, then take the plunge. It will help you I promise.
You are strong.
Take care.
Vikki
Hi Katie. Like most who have replied to you, I had thyroid cancer (follicular) 10 years ago. Had total thyroidectomy and RAI 3 months later and 3 of my parathyroid glands were also destroyed during surgery. The latter caused more issues as it lead to severe hypocalcemia and I very nearly did not make it. This was followed by a brain bleed... So all in all, I felt the cancer was actually the easiest to deal with 
I did not have much support as I felt people did not want me to talk about it as it made them uncomfortable. And as a single mum of 3 teenagers at the time, I had to be strong for them. My MacMillan nurse lacked empathy (like, come on on, it's 'only' thyroid cancer).. what helped me deal with it was actually registering on the MacMillan website and chatting with others who had had thyroid cancer and had had surgery. It was a community of people with whom you could share your fears even it they were seen as unfounded by others - there was no judgement, only people listening and caring. Also, returning to work really helped. It brought back much needed normality into my life. Maybe contact your GP and explain how you feel - it could be that you are also depressed and could do with some antidepressants, even a small dose to help you deal with the disruption this is bound to have had to your life. I sincerely hope you you start to feel better soon - you will get there. x
Hi. I was diagnose with thyroid cancer las December 2020 and have my TT surgery in January... I’m on 125mg levothyroxine and calciumD3 4xday , I’m doing fine so far, but I’m do not saying it is been easy for me...
In 2 weeks I’m going to have an appointment with oncologist to plan for radiotherapy...but I’m feeling so lost because everyone is saying after surgery I must check the levothyroxine levels after 6/8 weeks and so...but my GP he doesn’t say anything about it???? Really makes me feel so sad, alone and lost!!! if doctors GP don’t know, how should I know!!!! Makes me feel so awkward
Hi katie, sorry just seen this post. How are you managing now? I hope better, i am in the same boat. Won't retype all the details as they're on my profile. One thing that really helped at an oncology appt was a Macmillan nurse giving me some help, and the oncologist referred me for psychotherapy which has led onto further support. Macmillan were/arw brilliant and I wasn't coping well at all until I got their help. Here if you want to private message about anything. Take care xx
Insomnia Struggles 😩
Struggling with levothyroxine 
Struggling with hypothyroidism!
Hello, Im new to the site , 
Newly diagnosed hypothyroidism- struggling
