Just diagnosed in May, 2022 with potentially very aggressive PCa. Dechipher very high, 0.88. Uptake on PSMA PET heterogeneous.MO waiting until Nov. for CT and bone scan to confirm mets to pubic bone. Started ADT (3 mo. Eligard shot) on August 11, also I was sent to lab for PSA test and baseline testosterone level that day.
Unfortunately for me, I found out Sept.30 (7 weeks later) that the lab, despite a Drs. order, did not test my testosterone level on Aug.11 to establish a baseline. I did have it tested Sept. 30, it was 37.
I am very new to all this. How important is getting a baseline testosterone level at the start of ADT? My ADT therapy may last 2.5 years. My second ADT shot and testosterone level test is Nov.3.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
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Danskor
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In my situation, whereby I was started on Lupron/Casodex 10 weeks prior to HDBT + EBRT, Baseline T wasn’t even ordered. I go back on November 7th for PSA and T determinations.
I did not get my baseline tested because my Dr did not ask for it and I did not now better...there are Nomograms out there that you could use if you knew your TET going in, that is point #1 why you need it....point #2 is that how do you know later, should your TET not return if you are low, or normal if you dont know where you started? For me and you that is all OBE, overcome by events...going forward check this podcast out on the value of TET and how you need to monitor it during ADT treatment as a predictor of outcomes...pretty good...TNX
Agree, not important but would have been nice to know. My testosterone was 400 before and has dropped to about 20.
it’s not critical to get a baseline of T, however it is nice to know what your testosterone is doing. With that said, once I went Stage 4 with Mets to my spine in 2004, I have had over 130 PSA tests and always, with corresponding T. I view it as needed markers. My research Professor Medical Oncologist used as a part of his study in a clinical trial. Once he passed away, his replacement Professor Medical Oncologist does like wise. It’s a question for your Medical Oncologist. Some track; some don’t
True. BTW my guy wanted me at <5 in 2004; and I stayed there until 2010. Testosterone never came back; hence Androgel from 2011 - 2021 and then I started testosterone cyprionate injections in January 2022.
What would you do with an initial testosterone level? Your testosterone level is going to drop to a very low number, and that's all that is important now. Mine dropped to 10 with Eligard. Good luck with your treatment, I hope everything turns out well. 😁
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