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Hi Ladies,
Has any had their CA-125 go up due to Hypothyrodism. I was diagnoised this week with Hypothyrodism, my doctor said is was like I had no Thyroid. He put me on Synthroid. I have read on the internet that this can make your CA-125 go up quite a bit. Has anyone experienced this.
God Bless,
Shari
Synthroid Cancer Constipation Surgery Hysterectomy Menopause Weakness Hypothyroidism Stress
Ha! I just looked that up yesterday. My CA-125 has been climbing, and I came across this possibility. I just had bloodwork and they checked TSH and T4 and both were normal. I do have all symptoms of hypothyroidism though. At any rate, I don't think I qualify :(
How were you diagnosed?
I did respond to this in an earlier post but will repeat it here as the title might make more people aware of the possibility of thyroid disorders. The symptoms are no different than we might expect from menopause or side effects of chemo. It never occurred to me that it could be something outside of my current health problems.
I saw my gyn/onc at the end of my treatments and he declared me NED with a CA125 of 12 and clear CT scan. I mentioned to him that for the past few weeks I was having nausea, watering mouth and indigestion exactly the same as I had experienced prior to my diagnosis. He said not likely to be related because of the test results and recommended I see my regular doctor for follow-up as it might be chemo-induced ulcer. So I saw my PCP and he listened to my symptoms and didn't feel proton pump inhibitors would help me as I don't have acid problems, only belching. Between a rock and a hard place, he knew he had to do something so he ordered a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone... that's the one that tells your thyroid how much to produce based on what your body currently needs), gave me a RX for nausea and sent me out the door with the final words... if this doesn't help, don't come back! Not to be mean of course but he recognized his limitations in my post cancer care. Two days later his nurse called and said by golly the test results indicate that I am HYPERthyroid. So I'll need a thyroid scan. This involves giving you radioactive iodine and scanning your thyroid and your bones to see how much of the iodine is used by your body over a period of 24 hours. When I went for the study they couldn't do it because I had a CT with contrast just two week earlier and I needed to wait at least a month since the previous study. So they gave me an appointment for two weeks later and I waited.
While I waited I had an appointment with my oncologist with all the lab work. I almost fell off the exam table when he told me my CA125 had gone up 5 points in the last two weeks. Mind you, he wasn't going to tell me that... his words were "your CA125 is normal" but I pushed for the numbers and he gave them but reluctantly and said not to worry. I mentioned to him that my heart had been pounding like a horse at the races and told him about the thyroid tests. He agreed to let the studies play out but if the heart rate continued like that he'd want me to see a cardiologist. I also complainted at that time about constipation thinking why am I having this when I haven't had chemo in 6 weeks. And achy joints, weakness in my muscles etc. These are all symptoms of thyroid disorders as well as chemo side effects.
By the time the thyroid scan was done it now showed my thyroid as HYPO as in underactive. In two weeks time from one extreme to the next. My PCP dismissed it and said we would "monitor". Having none of that I referred myself to an endocrinologist. I saw him and he explained a clear genetic link to autoimmune disease and that I clearly had a classic Hashimoto's thyroiditis where the autoimmune system attacks the thyroid, possibly two different functions, one pumping out as much thyroid as it possibly can to correct the poorly functioning gland. More lab work was ordered and he gave me a Rx for a beta blocker to slow my racing heart. This worked and within a week I no longer needed it. This was about the same time I had my port flushed and blood drawn for additional thyroid tests. By now the whole thing had come full circle and I knew it because I felt better. Another CA125 a month later had me back where I was prior to thyroid problem. Will have another in a week so can see if that holds true.
The thyroid affects almost every system in your body but in particular your energy (or metabolism). A simple TSH will tell your doctor whether you're out of balance.
I know this was long but perhaps it might help someone else recognize symptoms.
Is a normal/abnormal TSH result hit or miss? Meaning, can the TSH/T4 show normal at bloodwork, but then fluctuate to abnormal range?
And probably totally unrelated, can a recent CT scan with iodine running through the thyroid affect a tumor marker done 2 weeks later?
I am just grabbing straws...but I did notice that since about 1 week post CT I have been having that weird iodine-induced tingling sensation in my throat...which I hate.
The hormone level fluctuates daily (assuming your thyroid is functioning at all) so your answer is yes definately. I had a much worse episode of hyper/hypo about two years ago which my doctor failed to find because the day I had a TSH done it came back just barely within a normal range. Now that I'm through the cycle (some books referred to this as the combo platter because of the swing very high then very low) I can see the pattern better and will recognize it the next time it happens. The endocrinologist is just following me with quarterly free T4 and TSH but the initial exam included a sed rate and a thyroid antibody study.
I think it is more normal to have a thyroid that just stops functions as Shari has. That is easily treated with synthroid to replace the hormone. I think most PCPs aren't so comfortable with hormones, they're kind of complicated and constantly fluctuating so they avoid it unless it is clearly not working.
Sorry missed the next question. Whether or not it affects the marker, I don't know but I'm learning that sometimes you just have to wait it out and see what the next marker brings. I was able to talk my oncologist in doing it in a month instead of two so I didn't drive myself insane with worry over it.
Most Interesting....I was diagnosis with hypothyroidism before my PPC diagnosis late 2008 . I have been on synthroid for almost three years. I believe that the two problems were occurring at the same time.
Like "lifeisgrand", my CA125 had dropped to 11 after initial chemo. It has remained there except for a very short period after I had my colostomy repaired when it climbed to 38 before falling back to 11. It has remained at 11 until a month ago.
My vaccine trial nurse had run the CA125 and it was 11. Two week later my OvCa doctor ran my CA125 and it was 16.5. I was surprise and a bit concerned as the CA125 is my only marker. One month later, I had it rechecked as it is 13.9. (All CA125's have been done at the same lab).
For the last few months, I have had similar symptoms as "lifeisgrand" - nausea, excess saliva, belching and for me a light headed feeling.
I don't know if the thyroid and the PPC are connected, but this does bring up an interesting question for my doctors. I was definitely worried about a re-occurrence, but with the CA125 drop maybe this is thyroid related?
"lifeisgrand" - please keep in touch so that we can see where this journey take us. Thanks - Stacey
Ah... finally someone else with the watering mouth... I was beginning to think I was crazy but during the month before my surgery I had not one but two teeth that had fillings fall out and I know that it had to do with this. The other interesting thing is that the indigestion (as in gas) doesn't improve with any treatments and I've just resigned myself to live with it.
So your posts had me thinking and I did some research and am now wondering whether the CT contrast may have aggravated the thyroid causing my "hyper" period. On top of the CT scan I had a thyroid scan (with iodine uptake) and a thallium (more nuclear testing) stress test. And of course whether the increased thyroid is what caused the higher CA125?
When I finally got through to the endocrinologist office about my lab results they said everything was okay and I didn't press for more info but I think I will ask my oncologist when I see him in two weeks about more specific numbers and try to figure out where all this is going. Too many doctors in the mix right now and they all only care about their little piece of the puzzle.
To all,
When I was DX'd with Stage 3C OV in late 2004, my first request from my Medical/ONC was to please forward copies of all bloodwork and testing done at the Hospital, to me. ( His office is in the Hospital.)
His nurse handles this regularly and I am extremely grateful. I think this is essential for all Cancer patients, and fortunately, no-one had a problem with my request.
( My Dad had been a much-loved GP by all his patients for his fastideous notes, helpful discussions, and time spent with them...including House Calls !! Ah, the good old days!)
I too, way in the past have had questionable results re Hypothroidism...had all the symptoms including complete body- hair loss in my 50'sand half eyebrow loss ( at tail-end). Thankfully, didn't affect hair on head.
It was great, and still is... to never again have to shave my legs. Also, no under-arm hair or odor. My vaginal hair remained, but lighter.
However, none of the specialists could ever agree on my Thyroid DX. Was on Synthroid for roughly 2 years, then gave it up.
Twelve years later I was diagnosed with a major sight-threatening Auto-immune Eye Disease, incurable, but controllable with highly toxic meds, the last of which controlled the spike in the disease, but caused me to lose 25 lbs in 2004, without trying. I was wildly happy, having gotten back to the same shape I had in my 20's.
The MD monitoring me decided to do a scan, and we then ultimately discovered I needed a Hysterectomy for tumors shown on the scan. The rest is OVCA history... Had optimal debulking and was NED for 2 1/2 years. Then had to have left breast mastectomy and treatment.
After BRCA treatment, my OVCA later recurred and I went on Carbo-Gemzar which gave me 8months of NED. Recurred again recently, and now I'm on Doxil. Have had 2 treatments, no problems YET!
Thanks to all for the good info on thyroid.
Elaine
am now
I had been meaning to look into the Thyroid issue, but never got to it because I recurred recently and am now on Doxil...which thus far, am tolerating well...but too early to tell...have only had 2 treatments thus far.
Wow...I never thought of a thyroid connection. I had my thyroid 'zapped' about 20 years ago and have been on synthroid ever since.My PCP is into pharmoceutocology....that doesn't look right, but you know what I mean, and has been good in keeping my levels controlled, fluctuating at times from .112 to .125 dosages. I'm the one who's had Breast CA and now Ovarian CA (Stage III) with two recurrences of the latter. Thanks for the info and I'll bring this up with my oncologist after my CAT this month. It's very complicated,isn't it?
Thank you Milashka. I truley appreciate the information. That's quite interesting is'nt it.
Thank You,
Shari
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