Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Post thyroidectomy for Papillary and worried about recent blood work

Thank you in advance for your time,

I'm a 34 yo f.  I had a total thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma stage t1 on May 20th, 2010 and have been taking 100mcg of levoxyl daily.  I was told by my surgeon, oncologist and my endocrinologist that I was clear and okay to try to conceive since they were certain the cancer was likely gone due to it's small size and they didn't believe I needed any radio active treatments.  My most recent blood results taken on 6/10/10 were faxed to me today from the lab and show the following results......

T4 - 7.9
T4 index - 2.6
T3 - 33
QN Thyroglobulin w/o TGAB - 34.6
TSH - 12.8 on 6/10/10 and was 1.32 on 3/9/10(before surgery)
LDL - 121 on 6/10/10 and was 111 on 3/9/10(before surgery)

Based on these numbers, should my husband and I stop trying to conceive?  Do these numbers indicate that the cancer is still present and I will likely need radioactive treatment?  I'm worried.  Physically I feel good most days but I do occasionally have a day or two a week when I'm completely drained of energy.

Thank you,

Sheri
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
97953 tn?1440865392
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The TG level seems high for 5 weeks post total thyroidectomy.  However, would like to have seen TG-Antibodies which should always be run anytime a quantitative TG is performed.  IF positive antibodies, the TG is hard to interpret.

Assuming negative antibodies, the first thing would be a good neck ultrasound to assess remaining tissue.  The fact that the TSH went up (even w/ 100mcg of T4) means the thyroid tissue should be minimal.

Certainly need to delay conception until TSH is in better range (0.2-1.0 most likely w/ this history).  But talk to the docs about the TG, get a TG-panel (TG and Antibody) and a good neck ultrasound (by MD) to re-assess.

In many cases, it is hard to know if RAI will be needed until we monitor the trend over time.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
Thank you so very much for your quick response and advice.  I will take action on it first thing tomorrow.

Much appreciated,

Sheri
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Cancer / Nodules & Hyperthyroidism Forum

Popular Resources
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.