Head and neck cancer

Hi Hedwig. Get his thyroid function checked by his GP. 50% of patients having RT develop poor thyroid function as a result of the damage. Your husband's symptoms fit the description. You can take tablets to fix it.

Hi, thanks for replying, he had his thyroid tested last year and started taking tablets, but they have said it's okay now. We both worry that he's not having regular blood tests and a scan last one he had was February last year that's when they said there was still activity so they decided to do a dissection, is all this normal. Thanks Hedwig. 

Well what did they find on biopsy of the dissection ? If nothing then there’s no need for another scan. 
Ok, so he’s  on thyroid tablets already. How do they know it’s now normal without a blood test? I would ask for another 

It seems  like he should go back to GP. Don’t forget. We do get things other than cancer. 

Hi Hedwig. I’ve a friend whose thyroid took 9 months to get the level of tablets correct. They had to keep upping his dosage. Blood tests for thyroid levels are the only way they can check . He needs  TSH and T4 levels checking that’s via GP. . After neck dissection was he scanned and was it clear ? If so usually no more scans. If I was you I would request sn appointment via his medical secretary to see his consultant if you’ve issues. I was always told I would be seen if any concerns between regular appointments. M

Hi Hedwig

I am on tablets for low thyroid function and I have a blood test every 6 months to check on it plus to check out cholesterol etc. After one of my blood tests my GP upped the level of my tablets. It is something that needs a regular check on as the dosage  may need altering from time to time. If your husband has not had a recent blood test for his thyroid it may be worth having one to discount it as a cause of the low energy.

Lyn

Thank you all for replying and I've took it all on board. He had pet scan which showed activity so that's why he had neck dissection, he hasn't had one since, after op he said the cancer was gone. Unfortunately during op the surgeon cut a nerve and it's affected his shoulder now has physio, his throat is sore most days and his voice has been affected, he has a lot of tightness in his neck he does get down about it all I assume this is all part of the process. Thank you for listening, Hedwig

I'm exactly the same.  I'm every 3 months although I haven't seen him for 4 months.   Irs very worrying.   I have to take medication for an underactive thyroid but I had that prior to cancer.  Like you say, it's very difficult to understand this process.  I am certainly very worried about it all, would I recognise a problem?  I don't know. My mouth is horrible, no taste, salivary glands, throat stiff and painful, pump fed........so I'm not sure I'd even know which means relying on ENT, I have very little faith in them and tbh, it's like trying to see God himself!!!!!!

• Hi, Thanks for replying, and good to know it's not only me that's thinking the same. My husband was tube fed but he had that out a couple of months after treatment due to infections, doesn't seem that long but it's been nearly 18months. At the moment he has a chest infection really bad cough, but I was worried I case treatment might have affected his immune system. I think sometimes you just plod on trying to find out things for yourself. His mouth was horrible like yours, taste comes and goes neck still painful had op a year ago but if you ask consultant he says it's because of treatment don't know if yours has said the same. Hope you see someone soon.
• Hedwig