Why Treatment Must Change and What Patients Can Do Antonio C. Bianco, MD Dr. Bianco's long-awaited book is now available from the University of Chicago Press in several formats. A quick scan until I have the time to read it thoroughly brings out some mind blowing but not unexpected r4esearch based concepts – that many… Continue reading Rethinking Hypothyroidism
The first step to adding T3 to our thyroid hormone replacement regimen following total thyroidectomy (TT) is understanding what T3 is and how it works. The two thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). A healthy thyroid produces mostly T4 and smaller amounts of T3. This production is controlled by a “negative feedback loop”… Continue reading Basic T3 Startup
There are two primary dimensions in follow up treatment for thyroid cancer. The first is focused on preventing and identifying recurrence while the second, often overlooked in the quest to "beat cancer" is supporting your Quality of Life (QoL). Some endocrinologists and other providers may not always be aware of the need to keep TSH… Continue reading TSH Suppression
This is information I compiled related to questions concerning Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) remaining elevated or increasing following total thyroidectomy despite having low or undetectable Thyroglobulin (Tg) and whether TgAb can be used to detect recurrence of thyroid cancer.
Why is TSH suppression so often the sole or primary goal in thyroid cancer treatment with little regard for Quality of Life (QoL)? We are told, over and over, that the vast majority of thyroid cancer patients do just fine for the rest of their lives on synthetic thyroid hormone replacement (THR) therapy evaluated by… Continue reading Suppression vs QoL
How to use the Symptom Checklist section of the patient Pathways Forms. Building your own Pathways Guide book can help you track and determine your individual thyroid cancer treatment as you progress from newly diagnosed to long term survivor. One of the issues thyroid cancer patients often face is being told their symptoms have nothing… Continue reading The Symptom Checklist
Serum Thyroglobulin (Tg) is the primary tumor marker measured postoperatively to monitor for recurrence of thyroid cancer. Tg concentrations reflect the mass, or amount, of residual thyroid tissue — remnant or tumor. An unexpected elevated Tg result which is not consistent with clinical findings and history is distressing for the patient and can lead to… Continue reading Falsely Elevated Thyroglobulin – HAMA
Thyroid Level Testing for Thyroid Cancer Patients This is a basic outline of the thyroid tests most frequently asked about and are needed to properly monitor thyroid hormone replacement (THR) levels for thyroid cancer patients. TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland, a small organ located below the brain,… Continue reading Basic Testing Information
Why do I sometimes feel like I’m talking to a brick wall when I see my doctor? As a retired RN and a multi-cancer survivor, I subscribe to Medscape mainly to stay up on new advances in thyroid and other cancers which could affect me. Articles often offer other insights aimed at medical professionals —… Continue reading Talking to a Brick Wall
The recent publication of Evidence-Based Use of Levothyroxine/Liothyronine Combinations in Treating Hypothyroidism: A Consensus Document brought a breath of fresh air to the thyroid community, especially to those of us on life-long exogenous thyroid hormones because we lost our thyroid to cancer. The Consensus Document, a joint endeavor of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), British… Continue reading Take Patient Blaming Out of the Equation
Thyroid Cancer Advocates 