On my first Lupron shot... advice on testosterone monitoring?

[groundhogy]

Hi all,

What types of tests would be appropriate to monitor and make sure your lupron shot is working correctly?

Also, would standard type tests be appropriate or would you need more sensitive ones?

Thanks,

groundhogy

[Tall_Allen]

There is nothing in your profile that would allow anyone to answer this. There are several reasons why Lupron is given. What is your situation?

[groundhogy]

Awaiting RT

[Boywonder56 in reply to groundhogy]

Gotta be more specific.....post rp?

[groundhogy]

Oh... no awaiting first therapy

[GP24]

You can get your testosterone level tested to check if Lupron works well. You should try to get testosterone below 20 ng/dl or 0.7 nmol/l for best results.

[Hidden]

Welcome groundhogy! Lupron can take away T. I did it for 18 months .With imrt and I’m still taking a pill form test drug to stop adrenal production7 yrs later . Lupron knocked the crap out of me . But i had a bad urology . Some say they fly by . Either way we suffer . If can be effective . Some men have used it for 12 or more yrs . I did the orch after 18 months allowing me to drop the lupron shots . Stay active as you can . 💪🍀

[Hidden]

Normally we check the Psa tri-monthly .. no point in the ultra. As long as your Psa<.2 you are good .. proceed and heal up after Rt !

[reichel]

Been on it for 11 months now and get one every 3 months. T is less 12. Get ready for the hot flashes and possibly loss of muscle tone and hair loss. This kicked in the last few months. Nothing comes easy

[Pokerplayer]

Excerise excerise lift weights walk watch what you eat if not you will lose muscle mass and gain weight good luck

[Burk]

Hi groundhogy, I've been on Lupron now for 20 mo. Several months into treatment I got a T test. Results <4! Don't worry about testing for T at this stage. You will have plenty of indications that you have no T. 1) No Libido

2) Hot Flashes

3) Loss of muscle mass

4) Increase of belly fat

5) Loss of body hair

6) No BO

7) I forget the others

Welcome to the team!

[monte1111 in reply to Burk]

That's funny.

8) Loss of memory

[EdinBmore]

For many, Lupron sucks. Let me restate that: the effects of Lupron vary from man to man and from "what's the big deal" to "omfg, this is killing my quality of life and me." I was in the second category.

You'll be monitored - blood work - periodically. The goal is to get T as low as possible. For me. it happened over 3 mos. For about a yr and a half, I was miserable; side effects on top of side effects. The only thing that seemed to make me feel better was exercise. I hired a trainer to teach me how to do the exercises correctly so that it was not just wasted time and effort; I also walked (when I wasn't too fatigued from the drug). Others here will give you advice on diet, OTC meds, what to ask for from your docs and so on. A lot of support and guidance offered here. Take advantage of it.

I suggest reading "Androgen Deprivation Therapy: An Essential Guide for Prostate Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones."

Good luck to you.

EdinBaltimore

[Hailwood]

Been on it for over a year, muscle loss, fatigue and hair loss except for head hair, but still working full time and T remains at 0.5 and PSA at 0.02, so overall happy with clear bone scan and CT

[DSJo]

Like many others here my experience with leuprolide (Lupron and Eligard) is no fun at all. Same side effects already described. Doc takes blood sample every three months for T and PSA and after 14 months all is good (but QOL sucks). Ten more months of this nasty stuff to go and I hope that is the end of it.

[groundhogy]

Thank you all for your kindness in replying. You have lifted my spirits.

I saw this on the internet..

Assessment of serum T levels today should be based on mass-spectrometry assays and not on automatic immunoassays because the latter are not suitable for use in men on ADT.

So did a search on the code number on the lab order. Looks like from the Quest Lab info that it is indeed the mass-spectrometry type.

But the PSA test... that one is a different one from the normal PSA? Isn't it a high sensitivity version?

[cancerfox]

The lousy side effects will let you know that the Lupron is lowering your testosterone, though you should still check it. You need to monitor your PSA levels to assure that they are being depressed......I'm sure your doctors will schedule regular blood tests.

[groundhogy]

Yes, that is why I requested for them to check.I am getting plenty of hot flashes... and they seem to be getting hotter. lol

BUT...

I remember talking to my dad on the phone.

He had his testicles removed.

He told me he was amazed that he had absolutely no interest in females what so ever.

I must admit, I am hoping for this magical event. But I still have some interest.

[monte1111]

0.2 psa after a little more than 5 years. Stage 4, metastatic to bones. Movies with sexual activity now make me very uncomfortable. But I still like seeing a good looking woman. And good looking men aren't so bad either. Athletes amaze me. My testosterone has never been tested. I guess my doctor looked at me and said why bother. His name is Dr. Howard.

[Boywonder56 in reply to monte1111]

Mine is dr. Moe...im with monte stats wuse lil higher psa

[j-o-h-n in reply to Boywonder56]

Drs. Larry and Curly stepped out of the office to pick up a supply of cream pies....They will be back shortly....so relax.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 06/03/2022 10:10 PM DST

[Boywonder56 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Speaking of stooges one ofmy favorites was when they were at a fancy dinners and they served tammales...and the resulting chaos as curly tried to eat/ open , why ill mowder u........his

[j-o-h-n]

3 month PSA blood test...... that's it...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 06/03/2022 10:06 PM DST

[groundhogy]

My favorites were when they had either curly or shemp.

[Hidden]

Never checked T to “see that Lupron was working”.... however, since 2004, I have had over 120 PSA tests; everyone of them was accompanied with a test for T. I have blood work scheduled for next week.... yep, PSA, T, and of course a Lipid Panel....... all through my Medical Oncologist. I take it you don’t have one yet....... so, the real question, what does your doctor want to monitor your cancer? Best of luck.

GD

[groundhogy]

Found this on the internet.. (maybe on this forum)

According to Drs Strum and Scholz the objective of HT is to drive psa to .02 for at least 6 months. There are two books by Dr Strum, "Prostate Cancer Basics "and "Prostate Cancer Essentials" which explain the use of HT and the markers that show if its working or not.

[john4803]

Exercise and good nutrition (wife a dietitian), seem to offset the usual side effects and I have only a few "warm" flashes. Also, I have male pattern baldness and lower T helps me grow more hair on the head! 👍

[groundhogy]

Well there is a Positive!