Questions to ask: Thyroid cancer
Diagnosis
- What type of thyroid cancer do I have?
- What stage and risk level is my cancer?
- Has the cancer spread to lymph nodes or other parts of my body?
- Do I need surgery on half of my thyroid, or all of it?
- Is active surveillance an option for my cancer?
- Will I need radioactive iodine? Why or why not?
- Was my tumor tested for gene changes like BRAF or RET?
- If I have medullary cancer, should I have a blood test for an inherited RET change?
- Should my family members be tested or screened?
- How many thyroid surgeries does my surgeon do each year?
Before
- What are the risks to my voice and calcium levels with surgery?
- Will I need to take thyroid hormone pills, and for how long?
- Do I need a low-iodine diet before radioactive iodine? For how long?
- Will I get thyroid hormone shots (rhTSH) or stop my pill before RAI?
- What radiation safety rules will I need to follow at home?
- How will treatment affect pregnancy or breastfeeding plans?
- How long will I be off work?
- Are there clinical trials I could join?
- Who should I call with problems at night or on weekends?
- What costs should I expect, and who can help with insurance?
During
- What is my target TSH level?
- How will we know if the treatment is working?
- Which side effects should I call about right away?
- What should my thyroglobulin or calcitonin level be?
- How should I take my thyroid pill with my other medicines?
- If I am on a targeted pill, how often should I check my blood pressure?
- What happens if the cancer stops responding to radioactive iodine?
- Can I see a dietitian, social worker, or counselor?
- How can my caregiver help, and what should they watch for?
After
- How often will I need blood tests and ultrasounds?
- What signs could mean the cancer has come back?
- How will a low TSH affect my heart and bones over time?
- Do I need a bone density scan?
- When is it safe to try to get pregnant?
- Who will manage my thyroid hormone long term?
- Where can I find support groups for thyroid cancer?
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.