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Do I owe the Zero Club a round? 1st post op PSA is in

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Posted 10/19/2011 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
I was looking for <.05
I got <0.1 using Roch ECLIA methodology.
What do you think? Am I in or out?
Posted 10/19/2011 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Startech

Find out if the people reporting the data just write <0.1 for anything less than <0.1

It is 2011. Since 2010, the Roche Cobas 601 ECLIA has a resolution of 0.003. I was part of a study comparing results from two different machines and protocols. My lab has been reporting me as <0.01 for the past 4 or 5 times.
If my PSA jumped to 0.05 I would not be a happy camper.

Check again that the result was <0.1 and not <0.01. Then check again.
Good luck to you.
J

I'll always take a beer if someone else is buying.
Posted 10/19/2011 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
I drove over and got the report after the phone call from my GP. It is <0.1 for certain. It then says "The UAU defines biochemical recurrence as an confirmatory PSA value 0.2 ng/mL or greater."

Also states Free PSA is 0.01.

MY GP says all good, but of course he is not a PCa specialist. The lab paperwork says only a physician can call for inquiries.

I still have my follow up with my surgeon Nov 1. I was hoping to cancel that appt.

Guess I better keep it.

Post Edited (Startech) : 10/20/2011 8:36:41 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/19/2011 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I certainly would not cancel any scheduled followup appointments. If something (forbid) were to happen later, the doc could wash his hands of you.

I have the same PSA issue with my uro. Even though the lab and the test are the same, he specifies the less-sensitive report, so from him I only get from <.1 and up. I had to get my GP to run ultra-sensitives before I broke .1.

I'm not so sure that the uro is wrong in not doing the ultra-sensitive. Too much knowledge may not be a good thing. Now that I am above .4, it doesn't matter anymore.

Anyway, back to the good news, by the standard of being "undetectable", you will be a welcome member of the Zero Club. Sorry I'm not there these days, guess I'll offer myself a round tonight smilewinkgrin

Posted 10/19/2011 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks 142, sorry to know you are not in. Good point on keeping the appt., so I will. I will toast with you as an honorary member and buy a round for all anyways. I was hoping to make a decision on RT sooner to avoid the new deductable year, but since I am still not continent, it doesnt matter as I am holding off for continence as long as I can. So, I'll keep my temp card until November.
Posted 10/19/2011 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
I always get the <0.1 version report and go with it as undectectable. Uro and Rad Onc agree. I am not interested in an ultra-sensitive test. I would not change my treatment plan if I had more details. If there is a future PSA failure (hope not!), I will know soon enough and I can plan/react at that time.
Posted 10/19/2011 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
The lab at the clinic here does the more sensitive tests but the docs request the numbers be rounded. They feel too much information causes stress that needn't be there. So I went from <0.1 to 0.1 at one fell swoop and then jumped to 0.2 before SRT. Of course that 0.2 could have been anywhere from 0.15 to 0.24 but the end result and the decision was the same.
Posted 10/19/2011 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I've paid my membership dues, yet I'm still waiting on my Zero Club t-shirt and membership card! What's up with that?
Posted 10/19/2011 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
You need to discuss this with Worried Guy he is in charge of the T shirts and cards this quarter
Posted 10/19/2011 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
T-shirt? Card?

If your PSA is undetectable, then it would be a nice plain white shirt and a blank card - everything undetectable smilewinkgrin

You could get a t-shirt that says "Always a Zero", but that could be misinterpreted.

 

Posted 10/19/2011 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Startech,

You have my vote for membership as we have not changed our by laws to conform to with 2011 Roche Cobas 601 ECLIA testing standards regardless of what Worried Guy reports. So <0.1 is still in by my figureing. My URO does his PSA testing in house and their lowest reading is only .07 so my first PSA was <.07, but he calls this undectable. With you pathology report <0.1 is a good number but you know it needs to be closly monitored.

Terry TWG

Posted 10/19/2011 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
^^That could be an ED club shirt......
I didnt realize there really was a Zero shirt and card...cool, but I will wait until Nov. to order. Any excuse to buy a round, and I'm using this as an excuse, even if it turns out to be short lived.
Posted 10/19/2011 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Terry, you posted at the same time as I. Thx for the welcome!
Posted 10/19/2011 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Shirt? Card? What the H*ll ? I'll have a Rolling Rock Please!!!
Posted 10/19/2011 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Startech, I'm lucky to have a lab and Uro who are very forthcoming with results. I take the ultra sensitive test and call my Uro the next day and they give me the result. With Gleason 8 I have been getting the ultra test from the beginning and so far so good.
Posted 10/20/2011 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Starech did you mean<0.1 because >0.1 means greater than 0.1. I get them confused sometimes too, pointy end points to the smaller number
Posted 10/20/2011 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Good eye North49, fixed it to correct <0.1. Thanks for all the responses and congrats to those still in the club. I am still going to keep my follow up and request the more sensitive test at my surgeons lab.

Good thinking DaSlink
Posted 10/20/2011 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Startech-
congrats on the Zero Club membership - (PSA <0.10 - there is no such thing as an absolute zero)
here's to a lifetime of zero's !!

hugs,
Bronson
Posted 10/20/2011 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you buddy, best to you and yours. Have drink on me.
Posted 10/20/2011 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
congratulations star,

i would say you are well qualified to be in the all inclusive, exclusive, deluxe edition of the infamous "zero club". enjoy your membership, you earned it.

david in sc
Posted 10/20/2011 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks David, good chatting with you last nite.
Posted 10/20/2011 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Startech, I was AWOL from Chat last night because I had to work, so let me congratulate you today on your Zero Club qualifications.

Your dues are all paid up. Welcome to the Club. Hope it's a lifetime membership.
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