Annual Thyroid blood tests

RadioactiveRaz said:

“ Hi Ray we are checked for TSH and T4 levels it’s not uncommon after radiation to our neck area figures 40 % of us may need our thyroid regulated by medication. Yes the cancer  that keeps on giving xx

The more radiation you get the higher the chances. So pay particular attention if you had that extra week of RT and RT to both sides of your neck 

Hi. I have thyroid checked but have never been told cholesterol should be checked too. Thank you 

Blod said:

never been told cholesterol should be checked too.

Radiation both initiates and accelerates atherosclerosis so it makes sense to keep your cholesterol as low as you can 

EDIT

I found this from Hilary 

I leant about the increased risk of stroke after radiotherapy to neck from this site (Thanks Linda). I read about it, discussed with GP and eventually got an appointment will a stroke consultant. He was well aware of the increased risk (8-12% depending on who you read/believe). He informed me that there is no “level 1”(the best sort of science) evidence of anything known to reduce the stroke risk for H&N radio patients. However, he felt that the evidence was ‘good enough’ that in my position he would take a statin for life. My choice - there are some small risks. What a helpful conversation, why can’t the Oncologists warn us briefly of the risk, give us some simple info and send us off to GP to decide whether we want to reduce our risk by moderating our lifestyle (fewer fattty foods - boo, more exercise, monitor blood pressure etc) or considering taking a statin for life. I’ve done both/all. Simple. Can’t understand why this piece of info is kept from us......

Hi Hazel! 

Nobody ever mentioned this to me (I live in Kent). Very useful to know though as I am due to see my ENT specialist soon. I will definitely mention this to him. 

Not sure whether this is the case throughout the UK but I didn't get a PET scan after one year either. I was told I could either see a specialist every 3 months OR have a Pet scan once a year. 

 Best wishes.

Fab1

What are the risks associated with statins, Dani?

Mmac , asked the consultant this afternoon . They don’t routinely thyroid unless they think there is or could be a problem. Cholesterol the consultant never heard of it being tested apart from GP . Said if I was worried just to ask GP to arrange blood tests ( good luck with that )

Brian the snail said:

Cholesterol the consultant never heard of it being tested apart from GP

Yes it’s done by your GP. Not part of the review. 

Brian, thanks for that. We’ll just live in hope then, lol. I haven’t been able to see a gp for over a year now. Our GP surgery is a nightmare.

Blod said:

What are the risks associated with statins, Dani?

In that quote from another thread I was asking about drug interactions

Fluconazole can significantly increase the availability of Atorvastatin so you might be overdosing with it. 

A lot of us have thrush after treatment and some of us may need a two week course. 
My GP said nothing but my pharmacist pointed it out. Told me simply to stop the Atorvastatin if I was on Fluconazole.