1st Endocrinologist of 2011.
Endocrinology Update
This afternoon I met with one of my new endocrinologists—this one focuses on thyroid cancer. We reviewed all my tests. He tells me that the blood work from December looks good. Unfortunately, my thyroglobulin level is about the same as it was in September. Normally, that would indicate persistent cancer, but since my levels have never dropped, it’s unclear what it means. We’ll continue to monitor it, with the next test scheduled for June.
As for the PET and whole-body scans I had in September, they also look good. The only concern is a small hot spot in the thyroid bed, but since it shrank between 2009 and 2010, that’s a positive sign. It’s too small to treat, so we’ll keep an eye on it for now.
Regarding the suggestion from my other endocrinologist that chemotherapy might be needed, this doctor feels that it is not indicated.
We also discussed my neurological symptoms. According to this thyroid cancer specialist, thyroid cancer does not produce the chemicals that cause paraneoplastic syndrome, so it’s almost impossible for the cancer to be responsible for those problems.
He believes what I need is a new neurologist. I’ve written to my first endocrinologist to see if he has found one yet, or if he thinks I should consult a neurologist who specializes in neuroimmunology—someone who treats conditions like multiple sclerosis.
For now, the plan is to continue with the steroids, do new blood work in June, another PET and whole-body scan in September, and in the meantime, look for a new neurologist.
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