Biotin and tumor markers

[cjazzer]

My tumor markers 27.29 went up 25 points last month. Coincidentally, I had started taking a skin, hair and nail supplement with high doses of biotin and other vitamins and minerals a couple months before the blood test. I have heard that high doses of biotin can interfere with blood test results. Has anyone else had this experience?

I’m having a PET scan next week to determine if there have been new metastases.

[SoCalLady]

I take Ribociblib and Letrozole. Because of my thinning hair, I asked my onc about taking Biotin and he said no because it interferes with Ribociclib (which is the same as Ibrance)

[cjazzer in reply to SoCalLady]

I am taking Letrozole and Xjeva. I’ll ask my onc if biotin interferes with those meds. It is possible that the biotin interferes with my lab tests.

[Rbeth]

Oh my. I am 27.29 and started biotin last month. My numbers went up 40 points. I asked my oncologist if it was ok and he said yes. After reading this I will stop taking the biotin.

I will message him regarding this Monday. I also want to go on metformin. It is supposed to reduce your sugar. I read this in Starving Cancer book.

I also take vitamins, aspirin, and a statin.

I am seeing my oncologist March 18th for my faslodex shots and I will discuss this with him.

I am having another PET scan March 20th.

I am glad to have a 27.29 buddy.

I live in Rochester NY.

I went to Sloan Kettering in NYC for a second opinion when I was diagnosed.

Reenie. My email is [e-mail]

[MissyAnn68 in reply to Rbeth]

Please watch out taking metformin. It tore up my digestive system awful. Had to have my gallbladder removed months later. I was then put on glimiperide and it was easier on the stomach.

[Pookie510 in reply to Rbeth]

May I ask what a 27 .29 is?

[Rbeth in reply to Pookie510]

It’s my tumor type.

[cjazzer in reply to Pookie510]

CA 27.29 is an antigen, a specific type of protein present on the surface of breast cancer cells. These breast cancer cells can shed copies of the CA 27.29 protein into the bloodstream. When the levels rise, it COULD mean that your cancer is progressing. But other benign factors may cause elevated 27.29 markers as well.

[Pookie510 in reply to cjazzer]

I’m in Florida and they do CEA, and CA 15-3. Why are there different ones? I’m MBC ER+ PR+ HER2-

[Barbteeth in reply to Pookie510]

Hi

I’m in uk and they don’t do the 27.29 test here

They test CEA and CA 125(?)

Barb xx

[Barbteeth]

My oncologist checked re biotin supplements and it does interfere with markers

Mine went up when I took it..I’ve obviously stopped but just worried if markers keep going up it’s due to progression

Barb xx

[Becca65]

I started taking biotin about 4 months ago - it did not seem to change my levels.

[PJBinMI]

I've never looked into biotin, but I have learned alot about tumor markers. Things besides cancer progression can cause them to rise. A change of 25 points doesn't really mean much as TMs are "not precise" but since they are numbers, we tend to think they are. Also, a change between two successive TMs doesn't mean alot--it's an upward change over time. And they are not accurate for all of us. Many oncs don't use them at all for that reason, or use them only for their patients with bone mets since those can be hard to monitor with scans as healing bones and progressing mets can look alot alike. Onc's do not change treatment plans based only on TMs. They pay more attention to how we report feeling. Scans are second and TMs a very distant third.

[Pookie510]

I’ve never heard that but good to know as I just started taking them myself

[blms]

Maybe this is why so many oncologists do not do tumor markers! They are not reliable and too frightening. We have enough crazy with this disease and maintaining our sanity!

[NPmary]

Biotin absolutely does interfere with blood work you should not take it a certain number of hours before your lab work. Ask your lab for details.

[Purple60]

Thank you! Super helpful. I wondered how long one needed to stop biotin before markers are drawn. I think it is also important to underscore that biotin interferes with the lab tests but does not promote the progression of cancer itself. I have seen some previous posts where some may have interpreted the effect of biotin differently.

[cjazzer]

Unfortunately, it was not the biotin that caused my elevated tumor markers. PET scan showed mets to the liver. I have a consultation with a radiology oncologist on Monday to have the cyberknife procedure on the liver tumor. It may take a couple of sessions to completely zap it.

[Becca65]

I have been taking biotin for over a year and haven’t noticed a change in my numbers to coincide with starting the biotin.

[Kaylane123]

I have been on Letrozole only for 2.5 yrs for MCA and Tumor marker went from 99 when diagnosed down to 25 now has risen to 29 which is still in the normal rate. Have been told 1 to 39 is normal. I do suffer from very sore musles in my left leg in which I broke my hip 3 years ago and I do get very tired through the day. My Oncologists is happy with my progress. I have bloods every 4mths to check markers and CT Scan 6 monthly.