Brain Tumors/synthroid

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Expert: - 5/3/2010


Question
Hello Doctor,

My 22 year old daughter has been on synthroid for about 18 years. She had a brain tumor when she was 2-1/2 years old. (Ependamoma)
My wife has not been able to get off of work to take her to the doctor, and because of this, my daughter has not taken her meds for about 4 months. (Can't get a refill) Is this dangerous? She is taking it so there won't be a re-accurance of the tumor, I believe.. Is this right?  I just found out.
Dennis

Answer
Probably her pituitary gland (hypophysis) under her brain was injured during her treatment for her brain tumor. Her pituitary gland normally produces a stimulating hormone for her thyroid gland necessary for the production of thyroid hormone. Probably her pituitary injury has harmed her own production of this thyroid stimulating hormone and thereby also indirectly the production of her thyroid hormone. Synthroid compensates for this injury. It is the hormone that her thyroid normally should produce. Thereby there will be no lack of it. This hormone is NECESSARY for your daughter. So your daughter MUST have it - as soon as possible! Sorry, I have had some computer problems so this answer is delayed.





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Brain Tumors

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have a long time experience of these tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy, educated and trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 . I have no restrictions on the number of questions there. I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer.

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Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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