PSA and Testosterone befor starting Zytiga ( abiraterone )

[Scout4answers]

I have been on Eligard for 60 days now and am about to start taking Zytiga. ( no noticable side effect so far)

should I ask my doctor to order a PSA and Testosterone test for me to measure the effectivness of Eligard so far and to establish a base line for how effective the Zytiga will be going forward.

Am I being too proactive?

[Tall_Allen]

Not for baseline, but if Eligard is being effective, your PSA should be close to undetectable and ideally your testosterone should be ≤ 20 ng/dl.

[Scout4answers in reply to Tall_Allen]

should I insist on these tests ? are their any other tests I should be asking for at this point?

My understanding is that some men respond to these treatments ( ADT and Zytiga) and some don't if I am not responding does having this info give me a clue as to which one I am responding to or not responding to?

[Tall_Allen in reply to Scout4answers]

I thought I answered that. It would be highly unusual to have no response. As I said, baseline is unnecessary. Only impt to check that PSA is close to undetectable before radiation.

[Scout4answers in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks

[cesanon]

You should be getting PSA tests monthly at this point, in my opinion.

Why would you not? At least until it stabilizes? Which will not be for some time.

And they should be the ultra-sensitive PSA test.

Labcorp is a good place to get it as they are standardized all over the country. No matter where you get it, you get the same identical PSA assay.

You can ask your GP or internist you write up the order. It is a common and inexpensive test.

[Scout4answers in reply to cesanon]

Do you know the cost of Testosterone test and will lab corp do these for me without a doctors order?

[Break60 in reply to Scout4answers]

I get T tested every time I get psa and other blood tests. Hasn’t cost me anything on Medicare. Yes I’ve always gotten a prescription for all blood work.

[JamesAtlanta]

I would be amazed if your doctor would refuse ordering a test. Have you asked them?

You can get a test yourself by logging onto a website named Request a Test. You request the test and pay online and then go to a clinic for the test. I do it sometimes to get an additional ultra sensitive PSA test (about $110). But it should not be necessary.

Good luck! Hope the treatment goes great!

James

[podsart in reply to JamesAtlanta]

Is that self pay kit for ultra sensitive PSA at labcorp?

[Scout4answers in reply to podsart]

Thanks James

[JamesAtlanta in reply to podsart]

I go to a LabCorp lab for the test. But I believe their network uses multiple lab providers.

[podsart in reply to JamesAtlanta]

Recently I have been adding self pay tests selectively to my reg script as I felt was needed. I have used Labcorp’s pixel self pay portal. That has a number of but limited set of tests. Didn’t notice the ultra sensitive PSA on that list

[meowlicious99]

> to establish a base line for how effective the Zytiga will be going forward.

how would that establish baseline though? do you mean you would compare the rate of psa drop pre zytiga vs post zytiga and infer the efficacy of zytiga?

My thought here is that your MOs ins't adding zytiga because Eligard isn't effective. I think they are adding it because zytiga is shown to increase survival.So getting a baseline before zytiga isn't telling us a whole lot.

If you are getting psa to see how well you are responding to eligard. Like TA said it would be weird if you didn't have any response. Also since you are only 2 months in, not sure if you'd have castrate level Testosterone yet.

[Scout4answers in reply to meowlicious99]

compare the rate of psa drop pre zytiga vs post zytiga and infer the efficacy of zytiga?exactly

Also will tell me how effective Eligard has been on it's own.

Anyway Urologist agreed and ordered the tests for me.

[Break60]

Imho one can’t be too proactive when it comes to your health.

[Scout4answers]

Thanks to all for great responses. My urologist finally ordered both Testosterone and PSA tests for me per my requests.

but now I know how to get them if he won't respond in the future.

I will say it again... the knowledge and support on this forum is 1st class.

[Hidden]

During my 2 years of ADT and Zytiga, blood test were performed to monitor psa and T levels in addition to CBC, Glucose, Lipids etc especially since I was taking Zytiga.

IMHO, you do not need monthly PSA and T tests....if your are responding to the ADT treatments it will not fluctuate month to month and will only add to anxiety that you do not need. You are now under treatment...I assume you trust your MO/RO and are on board with the chosen treatment protocol....I think it's time to relax and enjoy life for a while...

[Scout4answers in reply to Hidden]

Almost there, intend to follow your advice to a T,taking my girl dancing on Saturday night for starters

Thanks TomTom

[j-o-h-n in reply to Scout4answers]

vertical or horizontal?.......or both?

Good Luck, Good Heath and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 11/04/2021 9:47 PM DST

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

Doesn't the Outer Limits control both!

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

I used to think that was so until I reached square one.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 11/04/2021 10:52 PM DST

[Scout4answers in reply to j-o-h-n]

Peter's Rules say ( He wrote the book "Abundance")"When given a choice always pick BOTH."

[j-o-h-n in reply to Scout4answers]

I always pick the expensive one..... the other less expensive one I give away to my favorite charity, ME.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 11/05/2021 7:35 PM DST

[meowlicious99 in reply to Hidden]

Agree with this. Monthly is a bit much and doesn’t tell you a whole lot monthly anyways. Created psa obsession and reading too much into it.

[Hidden]

When the fatigue sets in you will have no doubt your testosterone is very low.