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keytruda and overactive thyroid
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keytruda and overactive thyroid

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › keytruda and overactive thyroid

  • Post
    • May 11, 2016 at 4:04 am
    Nell
    Participant

      Had my 3rd infusion of Keytruda today.  Blood tests show my thyroid is beginning to act adversely to the treatment. Both tests show it is overactive which has never been a problem before. . Dr. said this will be watched carefully. Can this result in permanent problems? Dr. said I may need thyroid meds…..Do you sometimes have to stop Keytruda because of this?If someone can enlighten me about keytruda and the thyroid I would really appreciate it. Today has been a bit unsettling as I was hopeful I could avoid side effects since I have had to stop both Yervoy and Tafinlar/mek before………Plus! My melanoma specialist is leaving and accepting a new position elsewhere…..I have been feeling really positive for awhile but tonight I am kind of bummed…….Thanks for the help!

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    • Replies
        • May 11, 2016 at 1:47 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

          Hi Nell, I used to have a great video from Omedlive with Weber talking about specific side effects of Immunotherapy drugs, but the video is no longer up on Omedlive. Celeste might have something on her blog http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.ca/       If I remember correctly the endocrine issue can lead to having to take thyroid meds permanently but as long as the Immunotherapy drugs are keeping the melanoma under control it isn't that bad of a trade off!!! Several people have commented in the past on the forum that they now have to take replacement endocrine drugs. Best wishes!!! Ed

          • May 11, 2016 at 1:47 pm
          ed williams
          Participant

            Hi Nell, I used to have a great video from Omedlive with Weber talking about specific side effects of Immunotherapy drugs, but the video is no longer up on Omedlive. Celeste might have something on her blog http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.ca/       If I remember correctly the endocrine issue can lead to having to take thyroid meds permanently but as long as the Immunotherapy drugs are keeping the melanoma under control it isn't that bad of a trade off!!! Several people have commented in the past on the forum that they now have to take replacement endocrine drugs. Best wishes!!! Ed

            • May 11, 2016 at 1:47 pm
            ed williams
            Participant

              Hi Nell, I used to have a great video from Omedlive with Weber talking about specific side effects of Immunotherapy drugs, but the video is no longer up on Omedlive. Celeste might have something on her blog http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.ca/       If I remember correctly the endocrine issue can lead to having to take thyroid meds permanently but as long as the Immunotherapy drugs are keeping the melanoma under control it isn't that bad of a trade off!!! Several people have commented in the past on the forum that they now have to take replacement endocrine drugs. Best wishes!!! Ed

              • May 11, 2016 at 3:09 pm
              rosa1
              Participant

                I ended up with hypothyroidism (underactive) thryroid after starting Keytruda. I have been taking Synthroid for about a year now, to treat the condition. My doctor said I would be taking it permanently.

                 

                • May 11, 2016 at 3:09 pm
                rosa1
                Participant

                  I ended up with hypothyroidism (underactive) thryroid after starting Keytruda. I have been taking Synthroid for about a year now, to treat the condition. My doctor said I would be taking it permanently.

                   

                  • May 11, 2016 at 3:09 pm
                  rosa1
                  Participant

                    I ended up with hypothyroidism (underactive) thryroid after starting Keytruda. I have been taking Synthroid for about a year now, to treat the condition. My doctor said I would be taking it permanently.

                     

                    • May 11, 2016 at 5:58 pm
                    MoiraM
                    Participant

                      Ipi/Yervoy caused permanent damage to my anterior pituitary gland This means I have an underactive thyroid gland because my thyroid gland no longer gets the signals it needs to operate.

                      I have to take levo-thyroxine every day.

                      I am not surprised that some combination of gland dysfunction could cause an increase rather than a decrease in activity – the endocrine system has so many feedback systems.

                      Good luck.

                      (By the way, my cat Blackie had an overactive thyroid and we controlled it with daily pills for a year before we had part of her tyroid removed by surgery. She lasted another six years and died at 16 of something not at all thyroid related. I always think if something can be treated by my local vet, who does everything himself in a surgery that is the size of my dining room, it can't be that bad.)

                      • May 11, 2016 at 5:58 pm
                      MoiraM
                      Participant

                        Ipi/Yervoy caused permanent damage to my anterior pituitary gland This means I have an underactive thyroid gland because my thyroid gland no longer gets the signals it needs to operate.

                        I have to take levo-thyroxine every day.

                        I am not surprised that some combination of gland dysfunction could cause an increase rather than a decrease in activity – the endocrine system has so many feedback systems.

                        Good luck.

                        (By the way, my cat Blackie had an overactive thyroid and we controlled it with daily pills for a year before we had part of her tyroid removed by surgery. She lasted another six years and died at 16 of something not at all thyroid related. I always think if something can be treated by my local vet, who does everything himself in a surgery that is the size of my dining room, it can't be that bad.)

                        • May 11, 2016 at 5:58 pm
                        MoiraM
                        Participant

                          Ipi/Yervoy caused permanent damage to my anterior pituitary gland This means I have an underactive thyroid gland because my thyroid gland no longer gets the signals it needs to operate.

                          I have to take levo-thyroxine every day.

                          I am not surprised that some combination of gland dysfunction could cause an increase rather than a decrease in activity – the endocrine system has so many feedback systems.

                          Good luck.

                          (By the way, my cat Blackie had an overactive thyroid and we controlled it with daily pills for a year before we had part of her tyroid removed by surgery. She lasted another six years and died at 16 of something not at all thyroid related. I always think if something can be treated by my local vet, who does everything himself in a surgery that is the size of my dining room, it can't be that bad.)

                          • May 11, 2016 at 8:47 pm
                          Jubes
                          Participant

                            Hi nell

                            after I started keytruda my thyroid was over active then it swung to under active. I have been taking thyroxin for over a year now and will probably have to take  it the rest of my life, but 2 years ago I was given 6 months to live so not a bad trade off at all and I feel fine 🙂

                            anne-Louise 

                            • May 11, 2016 at 8:47 pm
                            Jubes
                            Participant

                              Hi nell

                              after I started keytruda my thyroid was over active then it swung to under active. I have been taking thyroxin for over a year now and will probably have to take  it the rest of my life, but 2 years ago I was given 6 months to live so not a bad trade off at all and I feel fine 🙂

                              anne-Louise 

                              • May 11, 2016 at 8:47 pm
                              Jubes
                              Participant

                                Hi nell

                                after I started keytruda my thyroid was over active then it swung to under active. I have been taking thyroxin for over a year now and will probably have to take  it the rest of my life, but 2 years ago I was given 6 months to live so not a bad trade off at all and I feel fine 🙂

                                anne-Louise 

                                • May 12, 2016 at 10:55 pm
                                Bubbles
                                Participant

                                  Hi Nell,

                                  Sorry you are having a bit of a time!!!  Yes, thyroid problems are pretty common with immunotherapy….BUT….are also pretty easily managed.  There are many posts on my blog about it…but mostly….Jubes is right…as are the others….it is a bummer…but it can be managed.  Hang in there.  c

                                  • May 12, 2016 at 10:55 pm
                                  Bubbles
                                  Participant

                                    Hi Nell,

                                    Sorry you are having a bit of a time!!!  Yes, thyroid problems are pretty common with immunotherapy….BUT….are also pretty easily managed.  There are many posts on my blog about it…but mostly….Jubes is right…as are the others….it is a bummer…but it can be managed.  Hang in there.  c

                                    • May 12, 2016 at 10:55 pm
                                    Bubbles
                                    Participant

                                      Hi Nell,

                                      Sorry you are having a bit of a time!!!  Yes, thyroid problems are pretty common with immunotherapy….BUT….are also pretty easily managed.  There are many posts on my blog about it…but mostly….Jubes is right…as are the others….it is a bummer…but it can be managed.  Hang in there.  c

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