Topic: Thyroid Disease Poll - factor in bc?

Seems to me, and do NOT quote me, but I thought I read somewhere that they are thinking perhaps these autoimmune diseases may be linked with BC, but I certainly don't remember where I read it or if it was reputable even. Just one of those many searches over the last several months.

Yes, I was diagnosed the same day as BC dx. Hashimoto's it is, with low or hypothyroid.  Started treatment the day of my mast, oct 25, 2007. :(

Holy moley!  I totally did NOT understand that article! Sorry, couldn't tell you which way it went! :D

Not triple neg - but I have Hashi's, am hypothyroid, and take Synthroid. I am a BC survivor. Mom - Hashi's, hypo, takes Synthroid, BC survivor. Mom's mom, her sister and her mother (my great-grandma) all Hashi's, all except g-grandma on Synthroid. Thankfully no cancer.

I wouldn't be surprised if there is a BC/thyroid link.

I am hypothyroid, been on Synthroid and Cytomel for years and years.....

Google "thyroid disease or cancer and breast cancer".There are finding a link between the two.  I know two women who had bc and their daughters have thyroid cancer. I also have spoke to other on this site who have bc and thyroid cancer.  Also read breastcancerchoices.org, many women on this site take a form of Iodine to support our thyroid.

Flalady

Wow, I just googled thyroid disease and cancer or breast cancer.  I could not believe it.  And then I started to think, the thyroid creates a metabolic hormone.  If that is out of whack a whole bunch of stuff could happen. All I know is, once I started taking Synthroid I was running like a fine tuned engine again.  I remember when I was diagnosed with bc, I was extremely fatigued at the time.  Totally worn out.  I was having difficulty keeping up with daily activities.  KPolasek, I didn't understand the article.  Hopefully someone will come along that can interpret it.  Good threads KPolasek and Badboob.

Hashimoto's can also create hyperthyroidism, I forgot to mention that.  When I was 25 yrs old I was diagnosed with endometriosis.  My fertility specialist in Houston, Texas diagnosed me within 30 seconds of an exam and from my medical questionnaire.  I had, had an unexplainable fever off and on for about a year and spent a week in the hospital with every test on could imagine at the time.  My fertility specialist said that was common .... my body was reacting to the endometrial tissue what backed up through my fallopian tubes and out into my stomach cavity. AT THE TIME I was diagnosed I was told by my fertility specialist on staff endocrinologist ... my thyroid was not working well at the time.

 At 29 I was told that I needed an immediate hysterectomy because my disease had progressed so far.  I did have a dtr at the age of  26 yrs.  Breast fed for a short time.

I was diagnosed with IDC at the age of 54 yrs old. 

 Endometriosis may be an autoimmune disease ...  anyone on this thread have endometriosis?

Here is an interesting statement from http://www.endofacts.com/understanding/

The Retrograde Menstruation Theory

This is the most widely accepted theory for the cause of endometriosis. During "retrograde menstruation," a woman's menstrual flow backs up through her fallopian tubes, implants in her abdomen, and grows. Some experts believe that all women experience retrograde menstruation, but that women with endometriosis may have either a hormonal or an immune system problem, and as a result, the implants are allowed to grow.

The Genetic Predisposition Theory

This theory suggests that endometriosis may be inherited-a woman who has female relatives with endometriosis may be more likely to develop the condition herself.

Other Theories

Another theory suggests that endometrial tissue is distributed from a woman's uterus to other parts of her body by the blood or the lymphatic system.

Yet another theory suggests that endometriosis is caused by coelemic metaplasia, or cells transforming into endometrial cells, perhaps after stimulation by menstrual blood.

My grandson wants to play cards ... I will post more later.

As far as thyroid .... many people do not know that they have a thyroid disease.  My new endocrinologist says that most labs follow an antiquated scale.  Most docs do not know how to diagnose thyoid disease .... my first endo said that my thyroid gland was almost not working ... my gen physician looked at the same numbers and said that  I did not need thyroid meds because my thyroid test was within normal range.  Long story ..... but my endo almost fell out of his chair when I told him about my gen physician's response to the test.

Gotta go ... take all .... I am praying for all of us who have this beast in our lives.

 Blessings,

K

Interesting thread... I  not triple neg, but I did have a thyroidectomy for what turned out to be a benign nodule in 1980, and was told I would be on Synthroid for the rest of my life.  However, when I became pregnant a couple of years later, my thyroid level seemed to right itself, which, at the time, I attributed to all the vitamins I was using, especially B-Complex.  I've never needed Synthroid again, but wham -- 26 years later -- bc!  My sister, a bc survivor who happens to be in bc research and also takes thyroid med has occasionally mentioned a suspected thyroid link as well.   Deanna

This is a personal opinion ... not a medical opinion because I am not in that field ... but I can't help but think that people with autoimmune diseases are at risk of cancer ... it only makes sense that it is linked as the reason we get cancer is because our immune system fails .... auto-immune ... immune system .... auto-immune ... immune system.

And, then my question is why do we have auto-immune diseases ... what is at the root of it?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Blessings,

kay

Yes, I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, leading to hypothyroidism at age 34. Now TNBC, Stage II, at age 48.