Hormone Treatment for Thyroid Cancer: An Overview
Hormone treatment after surgery is usually part of the
thyroid cancer treatment plan for papillary and follicular cancer. When a patient takes thyroid hormone pills, the growth of any remaining
thyroid cancer cells slows down, which lowers the chance that the disease will return. After surgery or radioactive iodine treatment (which removes or destroys thyroid tissue), people with thyroid cancer may need to take thyroid hormone pills to replace the natural thyroid hormone.
Side Effects of Hormone Treatment for Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid hormone pills seldom cause side effects. However, in rare cases, side effects may include rash or hair loss during the first months of treatment. After treatment, doctors will closely monitor the level of thyroid hormone in the blood during follow-up visits.
An excess of thyroid hormone (also known as hyperthyroidism) may cause patients to:
- Lose weight
- Feel hot and sweaty
- Experience chest pain
- Have cramps
- Get diarrhea.
If the thyroid hormone level is too low (a condition known as hypothyroidism), patients may:
- Gain weight
- Feel cold
- Have dry skin and hair.
If necessary, the doctor will adjust the dose of the hormone treatment so that the patient receives the right amount.
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