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Still experiencing fatigue 7 months after finishing radioiodine treatment for thyroid cancer. Will this get any better?

Puss123
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Hi sorry to bother you. I had operation dec 30 24. For thyroid cancer. Tumour was wrapped round vocal cords. Jugular vein and neck muscle. So all thyroid taken away as well as the rest of tumour. Lucky. I am as I still have a little bit of voice. 

march 3 25 I had the highest radioiodine treatment they could give me to blast the rest of the cancer away. 4 days in hospital before low enough reading to go home. 

it is now sept 25. I am still very very tired. I seem to sleep an awful lot. Stay awake between 4 to 6 hours is it. 

will this get better and how much longer before it will. Please??????

Parents

  • Hello and thank you for post ,

    I am sorry to learn that you had treatment for thyroid cancer. This must not be easy.

    It is not unusual to feel tired many months after cancer treatment, as your body has been through a lot. Tiredness can be a long-term side effect of radioactive iodine treatment and may last for a year. You should hopefully start to see some improvement, but it does take time and won't be immediate.

    You mentioned that you have had your thyroid levels checked, and I also wondered if you have had a general blood test to check for any issues like iron deficiency or anaemia, which can also cause tiredness. It is worth checking with your specialist or GP.

    On our website, we do have information about managing and treating cancer fatigue, which I hope will be useful. Macmillan Cancer Support also has information about tiredness (fatigue) and cancer.

    I hope this helps. Please get back to us with any further questions. If you would like to speak with any of our nurses on the helpline, you would be welcome to give a call on 0808 800 4040 between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

    Jemma

Reply

  • Hello and thank you for post ,

    I am sorry to learn that you had treatment for thyroid cancer. This must not be easy.

    It is not unusual to feel tired many months after cancer treatment, as your body has been through a lot. Tiredness can be a long-term side effect of radioactive iodine treatment and may last for a year. You should hopefully start to see some improvement, but it does take time and won't be immediate.

    You mentioned that you have had your thyroid levels checked, and I also wondered if you have had a general blood test to check for any issues like iron deficiency or anaemia, which can also cause tiredness. It is worth checking with your specialist or GP.

    On our website, we do have information about managing and treating cancer fatigue, which I hope will be useful. Macmillan Cancer Support also has information about tiredness (fatigue) and cancer.

    I hope this helps. Please get back to us with any further questions. If you would like to speak with any of our nurses on the helpline, you would be welcome to give a call on 0808 800 4040 between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

    Jemma

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