Does SHBG have any effect on Prostate Cancer?

[MC1976]

Rather long history of PC treatment since 2004. Most recent had hormone inj. (Lupron). from 1/2012 to 10/ 2016. By 8/2015 hormone no longer totally suppressing PSA and PSA reached 3.9 by 4/2017. At age 86 declined to take further treatment, that is, until testosterone returned and PSA up to 20.0 from 5.7 in 2 months.. I was monitoring PSA and T monthly and lab was also providing SHBG values. An oncologist ordered 3 month Lupron 1/4/18, CT and bone scans. PSA 2/5 is 22 and SHBG 121. Possible metastases to the sacrum and right proximal femur. Doctor is surprised that I have no pain, feel good walk 3 miles most mornings. I am wondering if high SHBG could possibly be effecting this situation.

[BigRich]

I read that SHBG makes some of the testosterone not bioavailable to PCa. I read certain foods could increase your SHBG. The two foods i like are carrots and chick peas.

Rich

PS: What is the range for your lab test; so that, I could put your raw score for SHBG in perspective.

[MC1976 in reply to BigRich]

Thank you for your interest. The range for SHBG is 19.3 - 76.4 nmols/L My SHBG levels have been high out of range since I started monthly determination April 2017. My PSA was 4.7 ng/ml at that time. testosterone (T) less than 12 ng/dl and free T less than 0.1 ng/dl. Current T less than 12 ng/dl and free T less than 0.8. The T corresponding to the PSA of 20 ng/ml was 83 ng/dl. Range for T is 300-720 ng/dl.

MC1976

[BigRich in reply to MC1976]

Thank you for the reply. Chick peas tomorrow are on the lunch menu.

Rich

[MC1976 in reply to BigRich]

Thanks, Yes hummus and carrots which you mentioned as SHBG builders are on my menu.

[Fastf250ps]

I think the body gets "used" to the medicine and it becomes less effective. Ask your Oncologist about switching to Xtandi or some other similar medicine. I'm 52 and on my third year of Lupron, it is showing to be less effective every year. God Bless.

[MC1976 in reply to Fastf250ps]

Yes that is the case with Lupron. My PSA continued to increase after an injection in October 2016. I am hoping the long holiday of 475 days from the hormone will make it effective again. My testosterone was less than 12 ng/dl for 310 of those hokiday days. The first month of a 3 month Lupron injection has reduced the small amount (83 ng/dl) of testosterone to less than minus 12 and my PSA did not increase during the first month. I am 86. At your age, I would certainly be seeking an effective additional medication. Thank you for your comment.

[MC1976]

Thank you for your response. What you describe is certainly my case. The free T on my last test corresponding to the 121.1 SHBG is less than 12 ng/dl. My free PSA on this test is 2.42 ng/ml with a total PSA of 22.2. DHT was determined to be 6 pg/ml (normal range 112-955). My thought is, I have a relative high PSA but only a small percent of that is free because of the high SHBG. Why would I need to take Zytiga or a drug like that, which the oncologist proposes, with these numbers. I have no bone pain, CT scan did not show any organ metastasis. On top of that, I am age 86 and would like to continue my remaining life without side effects of drugs other than Lupron. I hesitate to decline treatment proposed by doctors because they are highly trained and my analysis could be ridiculous. I will value other opinions.

[BigRich in reply to MC1976]

My free PSA on this test is 2.42 ng/ml with a total PSA of 22.2. Did you mean free testosterone, for I never heard of free PSA, only total psa?

Rich

[MC1976 in reply to BigRich]

I receive numbers for Free PSA and Percent Free PSA with the regular blood analysis of PSA. I understand doctors use Free PSA pct. to guide them on biopsy decisions.

[j-o-h-n]

86? Good Deal. Shoot for 96.

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Sunday 02/11/2018 1:57 PM EST

[MC1976]

Thank you for this helpful comment. Your information certainly helps with concern about Zytiga but I am also worried about predisone side effects. Along with an irregular heart beat (afib flutter), I have macular degeneration, am blind in one eye and dependent on the other which has dry MD but still good vision. I have read predisone can effect vision and need to investigate that further.