Do Any of you Have a Thyroid Disease or Cancer as a Result of Living in Germany Post Chernobyl?
It still amazes me to think back to my younger days, I had so much going on back then. I was pregnant with my second child, a boy. My husband was on Active Duty in the Air Force. We had gotten a new assignment in Germany. I had been stationed there myself a few years earlier, had friends there, and knew the ‘lay of the land’, so to speak.
So off we went.
Being 7 months pregnant, I was healthy and happy. We easily found off base quarters, picked up the car in Bremerhaven, and were settling in and looking forward to the new baby. Life was good. I knew enough German to pack up my then two-year old into the stroller and waddle through town to pick up items on ‘the economy’ to supplement our grocery trips to the base. My son came into the world healthy and happy, for the most part. Life was good. We were enjoying our European adventures. Back in those days, I lost the baby weight easily, and had a cholesterol level of 170. You remember what it was like before your thyroid decided to change your life?
We arrived in Germany just a few months after the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. We were assured that there was no danger, so we pressed on with our everyday lives.
After diagnosis, I had a long talk with my Endocrinologist. He said there may be a connection between my Hashimoto’s and Chernobyl, but who could be sure.
Pre-diagnosis, a few years after my son was born, we were still in Germany and my health started declining. I noticed one morning while dressing that I had some kind of fluid leaking out of my breasts, strange. With breastfeeding behind me, and knowing I wasn’t pregnant; it was time for a trip to the Base Clinic to find out what was going on. The good news was that the liquid was ordinary breast milk, and after making sure I wasn’t pregnant, the doctor decided to check my thyroid levels. I was told that the results were on the high end of normal, and there was nothing to worry about. We would revisit it the next year at my annual checkup.
By that time, we were moving back to the US and there was nothing new going on until my menstrual cycles went haywire. I began having heavy month long periods and the doctor at our new base checked my levels and said the same thing as the doctor overseas said. He began testing me for cancer.
So began my up and down adventure into the medical system. I had more biopsies than I would like to recall. I have been told that it’s all in my head, or my personal favorite, ‘You just think you are dieting’, or when I began missing cycles in my early 40’s and I was asking if it was possible that I was in early menopause, only to be laughed off and told I was too young for that.
Right after I turned 42, I realized that I hadn’t had a menstrual cycle in a year. I was told that I was now post-menopausal. I asked, ‘how could that be, when just a year earlier I was too young?’ The response was a blank stare and a canned response, ‘sometimes that’s the way it happens’. When I returned with questions regarding unusual weight gain or wild mood swings, or sweating until I literally thought I was melting, it was all chalked up to menopause and aging! Ah, that magic word, aging. I would complain about the lack of energy, my libido, my eyebrows falling out and they now had an out for me. I was put on HRT, which only exacerbated my symptoms. I stopped them after a few months because it was easier to deal with my symptoms instead of being in hyper drive.
I unloaded on a poor doctor at the clinic one day because I had finally had enough. I had been dieting and exercising like a madwoman to lose weight for a wedding, only to gain weight, yet again. The doctor was sympathetic. He ran all the usual tests and said the same exact thing, ‘a little on the high side, but we’ll keep an eye on it’. I have to admit I went a tad psycho on him and kept it up until he finally suggested that I see a specialist for a second opinion. I still believe that he only did so to get this large mad woman out of his office. I finally got authorization to see an endocrinologist.
The first questions my new doctor asked was why I there, and what was my history. I even came with a copy of the lab results from the military clinic that said my TSH was at a level 6, and actually stated that the ‘normal’ range was 4. I guess that was what the doctor meant by my being at the ‘high’ end of normal.
The Endo listened to my tale of woe, looked me over, threw some Synthroid at me and gave me a new request for blood work. He felt I had Hashimoto’s and sent me on my way with orders to return in a couple of weeks with the new blood work completed. I thought he was nuts. I had never heard of Hashi’s and how could all those doctors I had been seeing miss something like that?
Well, the Endo was right, and thus began a whole new adventure with Synthroid. At first I thought it was a miracle drug. I felt like my old self, I didn’t lose any weight, but was told not to worry. It would come off eventually. As the months went by, I noticed that all my original symptoms came back with a vengeance, with some new ones came along for the ride. I went from mood swings and the occasional absent mindedness to forgetting how to do my job, knowing what day it was, or how to complete a simple task that I had done a million times. My boss started calling me in for daily talks about my slowdown in productivity, not to mention the rising error rate. I questioned my Endo and was told there was nothing in the medication that would cause that, and maybe I needed to go back to the base to find out the reason for these new problems. He did, however mention that my levels were perfect, so he had no idea what the problem was. It went on like this for months; I eventually had to quit my job, as I could not keep up with the demands. I couldn’t go out on disability because the doctors were telling me there was nothing wrong.
It wasn’t until a few months of being unemployed that I returned to the Endo for a checkup and he commented again that my levels were perfect and he had no idea why I was having these problems. I kind of went a little ‘psycho’ on him too, and asked what good are ‘perfect levels’ if I feel like crap, and couldn’t find my way home without a map. He decided to add Cytomel to the mix. He will not take me off of Synthroid for any reason. He cannot even believe I suggested Amour or one of the natural desiccated thyroid drugs. And please don’t tell me to find another doctor. I tried to get an authorization for a new endo and was told there was no reason for it. My guy was good and I had to learn to follow his advice.
Anyway, I am doing much better now. I actually feel pretty good most days. I have even begun to lose some weight. I had been following a Mediterranean diet for years. I like the flexibility in foods it gives me, plus there is nothing like a small portion of pasta to soothe ones spirit. Not to mention, the occasional glass of wine! The only change I have made to my daily routine is that I now take my meds at night. My Endo sees no problem with it as long as I take my vitamins in the morning. I had read about it on one of the thyroid blogs about it and decided to try it. It made sense to me that having the medication in my system all night couldn’t hurt, plus it really helped with the sleeplessness that I was dealing with since beginning this rollercoaster ride.
Getting back to Chernobyl, like I said at the beginning. It may have nothing to do with any of my health issues or it may have everything to do with it. Who knows? I do know that no one in my family has ever had thyroid issues. I still a friend that lives in Germany and was surprised to learn that she too has Hashi’s as do several of her friends. Coincidence? I just don’t know. I would like to know if any of you fine people that follow these blogs were stationed in Europe during that time frame, and if so, when did your symptoms start?
Written by, Renee
Tags: Chernobyl's impact on thyroid, connection between Hashimoto's and Chernobyl, Dear Thyroid Letters, hashimoto's blog, hashimoto's forum, hashimoto's letters by patients, hashimoto's support, patient letters about Chernobyl and thyroid disease, thyroid support
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43 Responses to “Do Any of you Have a Thyroid Disease or Cancer as a Result of Living in Germany Post Chernobyl?”
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I lived in Heidelberg Germany from 87 – 90. I am unable to donate blood due to being exspoed to Chernobyl fall out and the posabilty of bring exposed to Mad Cow. In 2008 I learnd that I had Thyroid Cancer.
If you suspect that your papillary cancer is because of I-131 exposure request the sample tested for genetic make-up, as radiation induced cancers have specific signature.
BTW in 1987 there was no danger from I-131 as it decayed.
Where did you live in the United States before going to Germany? You have as much a risk of nuclear contamination this way as you do from Chernobyl if you lived in certain parts of the country. You’d be surprised at just how much fallout there is across the United States from the above-ground and above-water nuclear tests, and just how much nuclear waste from uranium mining is (literally!) sitting next to the interstate in big, uncontrolled piles, blowing around in the wind and washing away in the rain…. as if a chain link fence around it with a warning sign is going to contain it. Of course, it’s all hush-hush, this being the United States and all…
Renee,
I was stationed with my husband and 10 month old daughter in Berlin in April 1986. My health declined beginning with anemia in 1988 and after many years I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. My doctor’s were equally perplexed and I wasn’t aware of any family members with anything close to thyroid disease, so the progression went unchecked. It has been challenging trying to find information, specifically about what we were exposed to. I have written two letters to the VA since February requesting information but they have not provided a response. I am sorry to hear of your circumstance, but glad to see I am not alone. I recommend reading the book “Why do I Still have Thyroid Symptoms? One of the recommendations is to go on a gluten free diet; something about gluten molecules resembling thyroid tissue. Desperate to be able to function normally, I tried the diet and it is working for me. My brain function has improved and my joints feel better. I was wondering if you would ask your friend that is in Germany, if residents there are being screened for thyroid disease. Thank you and good luck.
Leigh,
Thank you for the kind wishes, I wish the same for you. Looking back on my husband’s military career I realized that most of the places we have been stationed may have contributed to my Hashi’s. New Mexico, Germany, and now California. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if I started glowing in the dark! As for my friend in Germany, I will ask her but I doubt they are being screened. She had never made the connection between her thyroid and Chernobyl until I had brought it up to her. She was planning on talking to her doctor and her other friends about it. I will let you know the next time I speak with her. I am doing much better now, I now have a good dialogue with my Endo, and the ‘on-base’ docs are actually listening. I am doing much, much better. I feel like I have made it through the tunnel and am walking into the light for the first time in a long time. There are still rough days, but they are getting spaced out much further apart with every passing month.
Good Luck to you, and stay well!
Both myself and my then 16 yr old daughter were exposed to Chernobol fallout while we lived in Germany (Nuerenberg) from 1985 to 1987. I now have severe autoimmune disease, arthritis and hypothyroid. My daughter was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer 5 yrs ago–it was outside the thyroid. She is not doing as well as we would hope.
My disease is almost like lupus, and RA. Its nasty and I have lost many joints, plus attacked a lot of internal organs. I am seen at Johns Hopkins Hospital due to the number of autoimmune issues.
It would be nice if we had been warned about the radiation THEN! I really feel for the children and familys in Japan…..
My family lived in Germany (Kizingen) 85-88 when I was a child (6-9 yr old) I am now 33. My father developed brain cancer in 1990 (army docs@ WRAMC decided due to working with lead paint for several years) and passed in 1999. I developed severe migraines in my early 20s (again living in Germany, but this time as an Air Force spouse, in Spangdahlem) Finally got a doc @ McConnell to admit it wasn’t “just headaches” refer me offbase to a neurologist & have been on Topamax, mostly migraine free since 2008. In 08 as well (now in my 30s) at my annual “lady visit” the nurse noticed my neck seemed swollen. Referral offbase to an endo, I have a benign fluid filled cyst hanging out on my thyroid. We’ll keep an eye on it, but it looks fine for now, and no I’m sure living in Germany had nothing to do with it. (Doc’s words not mine) Now we’re in Alaska and I’ve been able to convince the docs here to do one offbase u/s just to see how things are going. That was 2 months ago, still waiting for someone from the clinic to get back to me for a follow up, as my PCM has PCS’d.
I lived in Germany, US Army, during Chernobyl. At least five of my close friends that lived in the same housing area have died of cancer – they were all the same age as me. I found out I have cutaneous t-cell lymphoma (very rare type of cancer).
S. Peterson,
Your note is very distressing to me. I recognize you are also searching for answers. I will soon prepare a letter to the VFW that told me “I wasn’t exposed to ‘bad’ radiation.” The VFW representative I initially spoke to had never heard of Chernobyl.
Do you mind if I ask what community you were stationed in ?
I wish you strength in your battle.
I was stationed in Hanau, Germany from 1980-1989. I do remember at the time the medical dispensary was filled with people having “flu-like” symptoms and other complaints. We were warned against drinking any milk or water. My daughter, who is now 38, has suffered from migraines and skin disorders.
Check out this: Google the Cit # below
Citation Nr: 1111873
Decision Date: 03/24/11 Archive Date: 04/06/11
DOCKET NO. 04-08 331 ) DATE
)
)
On appeal from the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia
THE ISSUE
Entitlement to service connection for a thyroid disorder, to include non-malignant fibroid nodules, follicular adenoma, multinodular goiter, and residuals of a thyroidectomy including hypothyroidism.
I was found to have 14 tumors on my thyroid after my tour in Hanau, Germany from 03-06. Turned out being papillary cancer. I was 20 years old. NOBODY believed that something was wrong with me.
Less than 6 months before my diagnosis, my ex developed a cluster of tumors on his salivary glands (he was also 20.)
We lived 5 miles from this nuclear plant: http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/index.html?http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/493-4/extra-4886.html
2 months ago, my best friend who was also stationed in Hanau had her thyroid removed due to tumors.
We were all too young to grow all this funky stuff, I can’t help but wonder if the nuclear plant explosion that never got cleaned up properly is to blame.
I lived in Germany 86-90 @ Kaiserslaughtern. Should I be worried about this? Can this also be passed to spouses? She has never been to Germany but has every symptom regarding Hashi’s. In fact I thought I was reading my wife’s medical bio in the above letter.
I can sympathize but believe you would have an almost impossible time tying this to military service. I was stationed in Kirschgoens (about 20K north of Frankfurt) from Oct 1984 to Nov 1986. I have asked my VA rep and the doctors at the Minneapolis VA Hospital is there were any know issues with European service during this time frame. Nobody seems to want to even discuss it. I have no symptoms but have always been curious as to what I could have been exposed to.
I was station in Sembach Germany from 1987 till 1989 and I’ve wonder if I was exposed to Chernobol fallout while I lived in Germany. Less than a year after returning from Germany I hd a Thyroid problem and to this day I continue to have issues. I have Graves disease, sjrogens, arthristis, Fibromyalgia and breakout on my face all the time that no one can explain. Had no period after my daughter was born in 1991 and every doctor told me that was normal. To this day all the doctors want to do is put me on more pills no one very really sits down and helps me workout what is going on with my body. I have dieted for years only to gain more weight back and with all my autoimmune diseases it hard. They tell me if I have lupus or RA it could several years before they can really tell me I have it. I wish I could get somewhere good to be seen.
Hi Karen,
I also was stationed at Sembach from 1988-1991. When I returned to the States I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I was still very young, just 24. I have been on synthroid for 18 years. I wish I would have known about the dangers we faced…as I’m sure we all wish we would have been told something. Good luck to you
I was stationed in the Heidelberg Germany area, 1983-1989. Five years ago thyroid nodules were detected and the doctor suggested I be checked every year. This year my PCP recommended that I see an Endocronologist, which I did. A fine needle biopsy was done on my right thyroid and the results are questionable for follicular thyroid cancer. My doctor feels that exposure to the fall out from Chornobyl could have caused this cancer and referred me to an Oncology surgeon for further evaluation. I filed a claim with the VA for radioactive fall out when I retired and the VA denied it, stating they only recognize exposure to fall out to those who served in the 1940-50′s. My congressman also refused to answer any of my questions concerning this issue. I’m afraid we’re on our own when it comes to our government.
I forgot to mention that I have done some research on the issue of fallout from Chernobyl and have a report from our EPA, fallout saturation schedule for throughout Germany and several other documents/web sites, that might be helpful in VA claims. I would be more than happy to email these documents to anyone interested.
Don,
I would be interested in the information you have
S. Peterson, send me an email to retiredsgm@yahoo.com
and I will reply with the information I have.
Don, could you send the same report to us as well? We were in Berlin during the fallout, and my wife suffers from hypothyroid, fibromyalgia and migraine inflictions… not a happy camper and I worry for her. Thank you for your post!
Interesting that this month I am now being tested for hypothyroidism as is evidenced in so many posts above. (I lived in Hanau, Germany from 1980-1989); however, I also lived close to the Hanau nuclear plant, and found this interesting article online about that plant: http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/index.html?http://www10.antenna.nl/wise/493-4/extra-4886.html
Mr. Don Wall, Va did approve one claim. See my early post about googling the information. You should attach it with a new claim and see what happens.
Thanks so much, will see how the next round goes.
This will be another fight just like Agent Orange. (While in Vietnam, the veterans were told not to worry, and were persuaded the chemical was harmless.)
I lived at Sembach AB from 79-85 and again from 87-90. Was diagnosed with bone cancer in 85 and treated at WRAMC. My mom was diagnosed with vasticular cancer in 84 and treated at WRAMC as well. My brother was diagnosed in 89 with Luekemia (sp?) and again treated at WRAMC. Three members of my immediate family, all in the same household and all lived at Sembach AB, Germany.. what are the chances? Something doesn’t add up.
My husband and I were living in Germany when he was stationed there in 1986-1987. He was diagnosed with Hypothroidism 10 years ago and I was diagnosed with Graves disease 2 years ago. I became pregnant a few months after the Cernobyl disaster. My son is now 25 and he is healthy. No one in either of our families has ever had throid problems. I thought it was strange when he became hypothyroid and I’m almost sure now that I have graves disease that it was caused by the accident in Europe. We were not warned or asked to evacuate.I must depend on medication daily to function as does my husband.I worry about the future of my son’s health. The military doesn’t provide anything for families once you leave the military. We wer serving our country and now we are sick. The government shouldprovid health insurane for us or at the very least pay the costs related to thyroid disease. There are too many cases being reported for this to be a coincidence. I’m sick of being sick.
AMEN, Pam!
Don,
Please email me the information at annette_steward@yahoo.com
Thank you
Don, Please email me the information at annette_steward@yahoo.com
Thank you
I and our family were stationed in Berlin from 1983 to 1882. When Chernobyl fallout blanketed Berlin, we were asked to stay indoors and to mask ourselves if ever we were out after they allowed us to. I recall the days when the backhoes were digging out the sandboxes in our housing area, and how a close friend who was a member of the local Jagermeister club was forced to hand over his pig due to extremely high rads of radiation. My wife was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 1995. Prior to diagnosis, I just didn’t feel she was doing well, but she never was a complainer. When I learned of this, I immediately started researching I-131 symptoms- even to go as far as to contact experts in England and France who were tracking the effects of Chernobyl. I mentioned my wife’s condition, and doctors said that it could indeed be a result of this- to keep an eye on her to ensure it did not progress into cancer. She has recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia- a catch-word for “who knows what is going on?”. We certainly could use any good news for others who are suffering as such, and the posts we’ve discovered today are shedding light on this. It is only a matter of time before the VA will recognize this as a Cold War infliction. Thank you for this site and feel free to contact us to share advice or concerns… God Bless Us All…
this organization might be able to assist you with a claim.
http://www.repforvets.com/ I’ve gathered some info concerning the Chernobyl incident if you would like for me to email it to you, just write me at dwall0011@att.net
Dan, email me directly at dwall0011@att.net and I’ll send you what I have.
I was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany from 1989 until 1991. I have since been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis. It has been a struggle for me, especially since no one else in my family history suffers from these ailments. Thank you for your information Don.
Stationed in hohenfels, Germany during chernobyl-now 49 and facing cancer surgery.
Kelly, this organization might be able to assist you with a claim. http://www.repforvets.com/ I’ve gathered some info concerning the Chernobyl incident if you would like for me to email it to you, just write me at dwall0011@att.net
I lived in Wildflecken Germany with my Dad from ’86-’89 when I was 9-12 years old. A military doctor noticed an enlarged thyroid when I was 16 after returning to the states. I had bad hyper-thyroid symptoms for years until diagnoesed with a multi-nodular goiter. My thyroid eventually needed to be totally removed ~’05. I have often wondered if it was from living in Germany at the time.
My husband and I lived at Sembach Air Base from 1998 until 2001 and became pregnant while there. I developed eclampsia and HELLP syndrome and my baby was born 6 weeks premature. I almost died, spent one week in ICU. Then I was told I had Hypothyroidism, later Fibromyalgia, splenic cyst, adrenal insufficiency. Before moving there I had perfect health and since living there i have spent 12 years trying to figure out what caused my health problems. Could this still be the cause that many years later?
I too was stationed in Nurnburg Germany from 1984-1988. My symptoms began by dropping to 103lbs (not good at 5’9″) the doctors gave me a bunch of meds said it was my nerves I did gain some weight, then my hair was falling out in clumps and it seemed like the slightest bump and I would break a bone. I broke my hip in 07 from a slip and fall and it shattered after they filled me with titanium they did a dexa scan, the results shocked everyone it showed I had the bones of a 70 yr old woman. Then they tested my thyroid levels and again shock, since 07 they have tried every 6 months to regulate my levoroxine but it will be ok and then go wacky again. In fact I think it is really messed up again cuz I just dont feel right. I have filed and been denied 2 times for comp, last April I filed again with the help of my local VA rep, we still have not heard anything but keeping my fingers crossed because it has been so long this time. BTW my son was born 4/16/1986 and Chernobyl blew 4/26/1986. Good Luck Everyone and fight for what is yours!!!!
I was stationed in Mainz, Germany 90-92. I was diagnosed hypothyroid by a civilian doctor in 05 and placed on Synthroid. I lost my health insurance in 07 and went untreated until 09, at which time I began treatment with the VA. I also developed a very large, fast growing benign ovarian tumor and several smaller ones shortly after I resumed my hypothyroid treatment. I had a complete hysterectomy as a result. I was 25 when I was medically discharged for a knee injury. Is it possible my hypothyroid was caused by Chernobyl fallout?
Andrea, send me an email to retiredsgm@yahoo.com and I’ll email you back some information that might be helpful to your doctors in determining if your health problems relate to the fall out.
I was in the USSR (Moscow, Leningrad, and Kaliningrad) in 1986, shortly after Chernobyl exploded.
I have unexplained hypothyroidism now (diagnosed in 2005 after many years of being mistaken for depression) and it affects my life every day, in big and small ways. Most recently it meant missing out on a life changing opportunity because my mental fog and all the rest of the lousy symptoms came back and an increased dose of artificial thyroxin didn’t start working until too late.
send me an email to retiredsgm@yahoo.com and I’ll forward to you what info I have concerning Chernobyl & thyroid cancer.