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Posted 6/7/2012 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
I recently moved to a new town and now have a new urologist "following" my case and PSA. I had my first visit with him a few weeks ago and he ran my six-month PSA and also a testosterone level, which had never been done for me before. I noticed this AFTER I left the office and looked at the order while waiting for the blood draw. Any idea WHY he might do this? By the way my level was 301, which appears on the lower end of "normal."
Posted 6/8/2012 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
My GP runs T tests as well. For me it is to establish a baseline for the time when I have to start HT.
Posted 6/8/2012 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Kark,

It's likely he just wanted a baseline testosterone level for his records. Practicing good medicine :-)

Swim

Posted 6/8/2012 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Kark,
I'm going to guess and I would say because he is thorough. You're under his care and as a urologist he should monitor everything urology. Bet you might have pee'd in a cup too?


Tony
Posted 6/8/2012 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Yes... peed in the cup and received a complementary DRE!!
Posted 6/8/2012 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Kark,

OK, I get the peeing in the cup, but do not understand the DRE freebie given your LRP. I would have thought the days of DRE's would be history post surgery or maybe not?????
Posted 6/8/2012 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Nope, the DRE post surgery is the norm, as the doc looks for tissue buildup, abnormal 'things' and such. The big majority of us still get the DRE.
Posted 6/8/2012 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
"Yes... peed in the cup and received a complementary DRE!!"

I'd bet it wasn't complimentary?

about follow up DRE's...
I get still get them too. There are lots of reasons for DRE. Post RP they look for any irregularities. In addition, it is possible that cancer regrows in the vicinity and can be felt. After radiation, the docs feels for irregularities that may indicate issues with the rectum. Such as Proctitis for example.

So it is if you are NOT having DRE's then that would be out of protocol.

Tony
Posted 6/9/2012 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
My first post RP with my URO was 3 months at the end of April 2012, PSA was undetectable - yippee - but no DRE, perhaps too soon after surgery and here I was thinking the happy days of DRE's was over. Oh joy, apparently not. Thanks guys for that heads up, I now won't be surprised when the next time I hear "assume the position" turn
Posted 6/9/2012 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
My husband is 8 monthes post RP and has not had a DRE.
Should we ask for one? Although he has one met to spine, so would it be a moot point?

Thanks ,

BOOGEE

Posted 6/9/2012 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
i am coming up on 4 years post robotic surgery and my operating surgeon has never done a dre :(
Posted 6/10/2012 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Sure Boogee...ask the Doc for one for hubby smilewinkgrin

Seriously though, I believe it is physician's choice rather than something necessary once the gland has been removed.

Makes sense that if his PSA remains negative, there is no particular reason to put a man through the soprano test.

Probably a great incentive to get that PSA done plenty ahead of a visit too. :-)

Swim

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