[Beacon Staff]

Weekly Poll – Hypothyroidism & Multiple Myeloma - 2014

by Beacon Staff on Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:50 am

The newest set of Beacon Weekly Polls concerns hypothyroidism in people with MGUS, smoldering myeloma, and multiple myeloma.

A few important clarifications about this week's poll:

First, this particular poll is for people who have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

There are two additional polls being run in parallel to this one, one for people diagnosed with MGUS (link to poll), and one for people diagnosed with smoldering myeloma (link to poll). You may answer those polls as well as this one if you initially were diagnosed with MGUS or smoldering myeloma.

Second, please choose the appropriate “yes” response to the poll question only if you were diagnosed with hypothyroidism and you and your doctor decided it was necessary to treat the condition with a synthetic hormone, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, Eltroxin, etc.), or with a natural thyroid hormone.

Please answer “no” if you have never been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, or if you were diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism that does not require treatment.

Third, if you are a caregiver or family member of an multiple myeloma patient, feel free to answer on their behalf.

As always, feel free to post comments, thoughts, or feedback about this week's poll in the space below. They can be very useful to other readers.

[AliceNorth]

Re: Weekly Poll – Hypothyroidism & Multiple Myeloma - 2014

by AliceNorth on Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:46 am

I just voted yes, but I didn't require treatment. My problem manifested in postpartum hyper­thyroidism immediately followed by hypothyroidism. Blood tests eventually showed the thyroid issues had "normalised", but I never really felt normal after that - really lost my mojo, which I put down to the stresses of having a baby.

When I was diagnosed with myeloma and amyloidosis 4 years later, I had a whole battery of blood tests, including thyroid. Although the usual thyroid bloods were normal, I had abnormal thyroid antibodies. My GP told me not to worry about it as I had "enough going on"!

[Denis]

Re: Weekly Poll – Hypothyroidism & Multiple Myeloma - 2014

by Denis on Tue Oct 07, 2014 1:29 pm

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after an illness. I was taking Revlimid at the time. I had a virus that went away after a few days, but I did not feel any better. My voice got very hoarse and I was feeling terrible. Eventually I went to my local doc for my monthly Zometa treatment and they figured out it was my thyroid. That office said another patient taking Revlimid had a similar experience after being sick.

In my support group, some patients said their doctors told them from the beginning to stop Revlimid if they are sick with a flu/virus.

[jellytot]

Re: Weekly Poll – Hypothyroidism & Multiple Myeloma - 2014

by jellytot on Wed Oct 08, 2014 2:06 pm

This is of great interest to me. I have had Hashimoto's since my 20s, and I always queried a link between myeloma and autoimmune diseases.

I was smoldering for a year or so when it was noticed that my thyroid was getting bigger. It was removed in May 2013. Pathology revealed a small carcinoma in situ.

Since then, my light chains have been going up, and I started on cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone in March 2014. Although I have been taking the same dose of levothyroxine, my TSH suddenly shot up. My haematologist has no explanation as to why this happened.

I am due to start Revlimid after bilateral carpal tunnel surgery.

[Sally]

Re: Weekly Poll – Hypothyroidism & Multiple Myeloma - 2014

by Sally on Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:00 pm

Hypothyroidism was diagnosed AT the time of multiple myeloma diagnosis when many tests were done. Previous to multiple myeloma diagnosis, had MGUS for about 3 years - but do not recall thyroid was tested during that time period.

[Joe]

Re: Weekly Poll – Hypothyroidism & Multiple Myeloma - 2014

by Joe on Fri Oct 10, 2014 8:59 am

My thyroid was removed because it was to large. I have been on Synthroid for over ten years. I am shocked to see the poll - 53% of people with myeloma.

[DMCin50]

Re: Weekly Poll – Hypothyroidism & Multiple Myeloma - 2014

by DMCin50 on Sun Oct 12, 2014 2:47 am

My thyroid was removed about 5 years ago due to nodule growth pressuring vocal cord. Have been on same dose levothyroxine since. The surgeon said no cancer, but signs of calcification, which I understood to be a prelude to cancer.

[Carol T]

Re: Weekly Poll – Hypothyroidism & Multiple Myeloma - 2014

by Carol T on Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:08 pm

This is a very interesting poll and the results are amazing with so many having multiple myeloma.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism over 30 years ago and have been on kevothyroxine, or a similiar medication, since that time. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in September 2009.

[JulieMM]

Re: Weekly Poll – Hypothyroidism & Multiple Myeloma - 2014

by JulieMM on Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:10 pm

Wow! I have always wondered if there was a connection with myeloma and hypothyroidism.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism many many years ago as a teenager and have been on Synthroid or levothyroxine most of my life. I also had a benign neuroma tumor removed from between my collarbone and neck about 16 years ago. December will be my 5 year myeloma anniversary.

I really do believe that all our "ailments" are connected in some way, especially since myeloma is an immune system cancer. Are there any major studies out there on myeloma and hypothyroidism?

Thanks for posting this poll!

[JulieMM]

Re: Weekly Poll – Hypothyroidism & Multiple Myeloma - 2014

by JulieMM on Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:13 pm

Carol T- We just replied at the same time, and have incredibly similar situations! Both diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009 and both having hypothyroidism for over 30 years (me, more like 40!).