HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Labs - is PSA enough or should I be getting more?

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/24/2015 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
I just received my monthly lab report from my local oncologist. They only ran the PSA which remains undetectable this month (<0.05). I am happy with this consistent result but concerned about not getting the other values that I've become accustomed to on at least a monthly basis.

This oncology office is convenient for me. It's close to my house and great for stopping in and getting monthly labs and my Lupron shot. I have to see the oncologist at least quarterly which I have reluctantly been doing even though I'm convinced he has only a limited knowledge of prostate cancer and very little experience with advanced cases.

He stopped the testosterone values last November saying only the PSA was needed. Now, this month, the other panels were discontinued also - CBC, Comprehensive metabolic panel, as well as others. I'm a data guy So I always review the roughly 50 lines of info to compare and to watch trends. So here's the question - should I be be getting these other values with my PSA or are they unimportant?
Posted 9/24/2015 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on the undetectable.

In terms of monitoring your PC, the PSA is likely enough. I can understand you wanting to see the other tests, but I am not sure they are all that useful in monitoring your PC. If you had other health concerns, maybe.

I could see stopping monthly panels for things like CBC. Are they still planning to do them like every six months or once a year?

Andrew
Posted 9/24/2015 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Good question Andrew. Yes I think they will plan to do them quarterly. I also recently graduated from monthly visits at Mayo and now also see them quarterly. So, I may still be getting these other labs 6-8 times per year.
Posted 9/24/2015 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
I think you're good then. Reducing the frequency shouldn't affect your care or cause you to miss anything improtant.

I'd view it as a sign of progress,
Andrew
Posted 9/24/2015 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Great question Gunner, I had the same reaction last month when I stopped seeing my onc on the monthly basis and will now be just quarterly. The only tests I get now when I am not seeing the doctor is for my Ionized Calcium and Creatinine. When I messaged his nurse, she said that was all they needed monthly to make sure my liver was working well enough to give me the denosumab shot. I know exactly how you feel about losing the CMP and CBC monthly data. But on the bright side, they are all basically fine and don't need the monitoring, at least until the doc sees me.
Posted 9/25/2015 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Gunner,

Good to see your post.

I know in my case, my oncologist orders monthly PSA tests along with CBC labs and also testosterone tests.

He's watching my PSA closely in case we need to make any changes month-to-month.

He's watching the testosterone to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep the testosterone suppressed to keep the PSA as low as possible.

He watches the CBC lab work to make sure my blood levels are recovering after chemo treatments a few months ago. They monitor things like my calcium levels for bone strength, because I am on the ADT shots continuously.

He also watched my other lab work because now I am on ZYTIGA pills, and ZYTIGA can affect liver function and so forth --- again, another reason to look at lab work results.

A couple of times a year, he even orders one of those newer Circulating Tumor Cells blood tests --- that has to be sent away to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for assessment.

So --- for my case --- my oncologist orders a few types of blood tests each month, for the various reasons shown above. In fact, I had to visit the "vampires" today and they drew a few vials of blood, and I go through this every month, but this is my oncologist's way of watching my situation very closely. I guess you could say I am being "micro-managed" --- but my oncologist is very caring and diligent and proactive.

I guess in my case, it makes sense, but each case is unique.

Thought I'd share what happens in my particular case.

Take care, Gunner !

Sent with my best,
Cyclone

Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 9/24/2015 8:21:46 PM (GMT-6)

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply