Update on Labs: As a result of some of... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

20,782 members25,888 posts

Update on Labs

Philly13 profile image
6 Replies

As a result of some of the helpful comments from fellow warriors I began tracking the blood levels below in addition to my compulsive monthly focus on PSA. The oncologist has had me getting a comprehensive metabolic test every 2 weeks for the first 3 months on Zytiga to see how it affects the kidneys and liver.

I am taking Zytiga 1000 mg per day, 5mg of Prednisone 1 hour after Zytiga all on an empty stomach, Firmagon injections monthly, Metformin, and a cocktail of supplements of my choosing.

I am interpreting these numbers as good indications that cancerous growth has stalled and may even be reversing. There is a part of me that doesn't trust good news as it relates to my experience with this disease.

I reported the data to my family as all good news. My 30-year-old son responded by saying that he knows me well enough to figure that I am often skeptical but I should remember to CELEBRATE the wins.

He is a perceptive young man. It is wise advice. Celebrating progress is what I will do.

Alk/Pho June 6 2018-- 56- April 12, 2019-- 55 May 6-- 84 June 12--149 July 25--84 August 9--79

: Normal 38-126 U/L

ALT June 6, 2018 24: April 12, 2019--14: May 6-- 19: June 12-- 29: July 25--16: August 9-- 17: Normal 17 - 63 U/L

AST June 6, 2018 26: April 12, 2019--15: May 6-- 19: June 12-- 24: July 25--15: August 9-- 20: Normal 15 - 41 U/L

Glucose 101 92 90 96 99 96 Normal 70-99 mg/dl

LD May 6-- 198: June 12-- 170: July 25--110: Normal 120 - 150 U/L

PSA

April 12, 2019--5.8: May 6-- 47.6: June 12-- 13.3: July 25--6.3: August 9-- 6.5: August 26--4.9

A high level ofalkaline phosphatase in the blood is common among bone metastasis patients. When abnormal bone tissue is being formed by cancer cells, levels of alkaline phosphatase increase. Therefore, high levels of this enzyme could suggest that a patient has bone metastasis.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found mostly in the cells of the liver and kidney. Much smaller amounts of it are also found in the heart and muscles. This test measures the level of ALT in the blood.

A high AST level is a sign of liver damage, but it can also mean you have damage to another organ that makes it, like your heart or kidneys.M

LDH (or LD) stands for lactate dehydrogenase. LDH is an enzyme that is found in almost all body cells. However, very little LDH is usually in the blood. More LDH is found in the blood when cells are damaged or destroyed. This can mean that cancer or another disease is destroying cells in the body.

I now watch all of these levels carefully. I consider them all to be potential early indications and signs of activity. My retrospective small sample looks like confirmation. In April, May, and June bad shit was happening. LD and ALK especially. You should forgive the expression, now there appears to be some good shit happening. I believe that, for me, being on top of it got me to the right doctors far in advance of the time they would have started to pay attention.

The trends are my friends.

There are a lot of people on this site to thank for helping me in every way. Through good news and bad.

The words Thank You always seem inadequate, but it is all I got.

Thank you, each and everyone who shares.

Written by
Philly13 profile image
Philly13
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
LearnAll profile image
LearnAll

Philly...this is the way to go...taking a composite picture and watching the trend...wishing lot of good shit keep happening to you in coming years...

tango65 profile image
tango65

Good results. Congratulations. Best of luck.

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964

You have this. Keeping watch on all the important levels. You are a warrior.

Peterd110 profile image
Peterd110

When did you start zytiga?

Philly13 profile image
Philly13

I started Zytiga on June 9th. I will finish the 3rd monthly program in a little less than 2 weeks. I started monthly injections of Firmagon on May, 8, with a loading dose of 2 shots. I get one per month now. The wanted to switch me to Lupron. I declined. I was tolerating firmagon well and saw no need to switch. The monthly injection is not an inconvenience for me.

Why are you asking?

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

Good deal.... but if you want to celebrate get out of Philly fast....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 08/30/2019 5:21 PM DST - Pinnes

You may also like...

Update Latest Scans and Labs for Husband - NeuroPCA.

good news. His Chromogranin is the lowest is has been - 55 - well below the high end of normal(95).

Update after a year on vacation

November 2018 PSA readings for this period of time May 2018 31 ALKP 101 June 2018 2.44 ALKP 100...

Update after 6 months on SARMS Osterine and Carderine along with ADT

RESULTS: PSA 0.14, T<5 , AST back to Normal =29, ALT back to Normal =23, HDL back to normal = 50,...

Bicalutamide: first lab results, nadir comes when?

Background: April 2019 PSA 20 and dx w/ Gleason 3+4=7, July PSA 13, Nov. PSA 26 (and SCANS SHOW...

mCSPC vs mCRPC? Does my MO have it right?

1-2018 started zytiga .7 8-2018 level for 3 months .9 10-2018 1.4 12-2018 1.4