Lab Tests / what to order and why?

[Longterm101]

I’d be curious on what lab tests (and why) men are getting frequently beyond the standard ones

PSA

T

Alk Phos

CBC

Appreciate your input

[NPfisherman]

CMP--Complete Metabolic Panel--includes your liver functions, kidney function , proteins, and electrolytes

Uric Acid--not sure why mine was up when I started Zytiga--could have been due to cancer cell breakdown--normal now but I take Vitamin C which helps to deal with that issue..

Vitamin D--because I supplement and it is a fat soluble vitamin...

HgbA1C--on prednisone for zytiga and FBS has been up but lab within normal limits

and the usuals...

Fish

[tallguy2]

Yes, like NPfisherman, recently my care team added the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel to my tests, partly because of last year's reoccurrence and the subsequent chemo and radiation treatments. Also, I believe I will be considered for a clinical trial once my PSA starts to rise again.

[Tall_Allen]

It depends what you’re taking

[Longterm101 in reply to Tall_Allen]

ADT and starting Zytiga / Pred next week

Thoughts welcome

[Tall_Allen in reply to Longterm101]

You want a Dexa scan periodically to see if you need a bone preserving agent. As you say, complete blood work is important. Not a bad idea to assess cardiovascular fitness. After Zytiga, you'll want to monitor liver and kidney function, also BP and potassium.

[lynnedrum in reply to Tall_Allen]

How often would you need a bone scan? Let’s say you had one 9 months ago but in that time you completed doxetaxel for metastatic PCA with a heavy burden. Nine months ago they determined my husband already had osteopenia. He’s not on any bone preserving meds.

[Tall_Allen in reply to lynnedrum]

A bone scan/CT is useful when trying to decide if it's time to change therapy. So it might be useful to have one now as he begins Zytiga and another when PSA rises later to make sure it is time to try something else.

If he has osteopenia as determined by a DEXA scan, some doctors may want to hold back until the osteoporosis line is crossed because of the potential side effects of long-term use, other doctors begin medication immediately. I think you may want to at least discuss adding Xgeva or Zometa (with Celebrex). The combination has been found to increase survival by 22%. While taking those, it is important to monitor serum Vitamin D and calcium levels and supplement if necessary.

[Break60]

I get those plus E2 since starting estradiol in lieu of Lupron.

[Ralph1966]

If you are (trying) to control (inflammation) as a way to slowdown the progression of APC, ask foe CRP (C- Reactive Proteins), so you can follow up with your body levels of inflammation. Some people add Estradiol to Testesteton to check for the imbalance between these hormons.

[HopingForTheBest1]

One if my second opinion Oncologists recommended I have genetic testing. I had a simple saliva test from Color Genomics for $199. Results came back 4 weeks later with a consult from a genetic counselor. Diagnosed as BRCA2+, which predisposed me to my current aggressive PC. This diagnosis determined what medication I needed, Olaparib PARP inhibitor.

Also had my 2 daughter's tested, and unfortunately both are positive. Better to know than not. They are now proactively taking preventative measures which they would not otherwise have known they needed to do.

Knowledge is power.

[j-o-h-n]

Eliminate all pregnancy tests.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/06/2019 10:41 PM DST

[Longterm101 in reply to j-o-h-n]

I already Have twins and don’t need anymore !!!

[j-o-h-n in reply to Longterm101]

👍👍

I betcha one's name is LONG and the other one's Term.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

J-o-h-n Saturday 04/13/2019 6:19 PM DST