Blood tests to monitor while on ADT..etc

[SierraSix]

Hi,

Currently, on ADT, I'm about four months in on Lupron of an 18-month prescription. Trying to do all the right things (diet/exercise.e.tc). I'm meeting with my RO in March, for the 3-month reivew, so I will test PSA and testosterone, but I also wonder if there are any other tests I should consider/monitor. I have a physical scheduled in March as well, so I will do the standard panels but also plan to check my Vit D and ApoB levels. I am on a statin and have a high CAC score, so questions about whether I have the right dosage of statin. Is a Dexascan a good idea to baseline the current state?

Looking for any guidance on what all of you are doing to monitor health other than PSA/Test

Thanks

Mark

p.s. I definitely notice the fatigue and starting to fight to keep the weight from going up. It's not a big problem yet but is definitely a "Call to Action" to overcome.

[PSAed]

I had 2 years of Lupron plus 39 Fractions of EBRT. I think a baseline DEXA scan as you mentioned, is a good idea. I had one after the Lupron and it showed a decline in BMD. In hindsight I should have paid more attention to my diet ie Calcium rich healthy foods, but I was not thinking straight as a result of the Lupron. It affected me in a number of negative ways but it did do the job it was intended for i.e. hold my PSA down.

Hopefully if you watch your diet ,you will avoid the mistake I made. Best wishes.

EDIT: Here's a very interesting link from another poster on the topic of loss of BMD due to ADT. It seems even if I had adopted a healthier diet it would not have been enough to prevent the loss. But your medical team will guide you.

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

[tango65]

Besides the Dexa every 2 years, a metabolic panel (CMP).

[London441]

Definitely CBC and metabolic panel, lipid, and the others you mention.

If you are only 4 months in and already gaining weight and feeling fatigued you may want to employ some consistent caloric restriction and up the exercise. What and how much exercise exactly are you doing now?

[SierraSix in reply to London441]

I'm exercising a lot, over 10k steps per day, run 3 miles 3x per week, strength train 3x per week. It's the diet that I have to get a handle on. I eat heathy food, just too much of it. I was fine on this diet pre ADT, I need to adjust.

[London441 in reply to SierraSix]

I empathize completely. I still train like a young athlete, but even before ADT it was time to stop eating like one, but of course it's always easy to justify the big appetite. Especially when it's too much 'healthy food' as you say. It's been the same for me. I'm sure you'll find a way. Great luck to you!

[AlvinSD]

I would do the DEXA scan like you are thinking but also ask for a High Sensitivity CRP (for cardiac risk as well as checking for low levels of inflammation). Hemoglobin A1c (long term glucose control/metabolic syndrome-pre diabetes-diabetes) would also be good to check.

[SteveTheJ]

Every 3 months I get a whole slew of blood tests, including CDC, PSA, and a whole bunch of other things. You want to check hemoglobin, white blood cells, kidney and liver function, and other things.

I'd be shocked if your oncologist is not already doing this.

[Kaliber]

for about 48 months I was tested monthly for the list of tests below. I just recently switched to every three months.

Urine microalbumin ….

Albumin

Wbc differential …. Numerous tests in this

Cbc … several tests in this as well.

Potassium

Psa

Testosterone

Alt

Total bilirubin

Calcium , serum

Alkaline phosphatase

these aren’t the only tests I get, but are the main ones related to my cancer. I also get several exhaustive drug abuse panels, two urine, one blood …. Related to the opioids I’m prescribed and my opiate contract with Kaiser.

[Qrak]

Ask about Estradiol. I am curious what he says. I'm looking locally for a MO to find out.