I would like to tell my short story about
using Trelstar that led at my abnormal liver function.
On January 13, 2016 I agreed to have IMRT (Tomotherapy) radiation treatment at John Hopkins with androgen deprivation therapy. My Radiation Oncologist indicated that there was no real difference between Trelstar and Lupron so he recommended Trelstar. He indicated that he would like to keep me on Trelstar for 12 to 18 months. I said NO that is not going to happen. He said that he was flexible with the time period and we agreed on six months of Trelstar. I received a three-month shot of Trelstar that day.
Here is the problem. On February 7, 2016 I had my annual physical checkup with my primary care physician. During my checkup, I normally get a complete blood workup that includes liver, kidney, blood count, cholesterol and electrolytes test. Over the past 20 years ALL of my checkup test lab results have been normal. After the Trelstar shot, my liver and cholesterol results when from normal to HIGH. My anxiety level went out of the roof when I saw the HIGH test results and I contacted my RO.
Here are the lab numbers:
AST (SGOT) . . . . . . . . . 83 . . . . . . . . . . normal range is 0 - 40.
ALT (SGPT) . . . . . . . . . 166 . . . . . . . . . . normal range is 0 - 44.
Cholesterol, Total . . . . . 247 . . . . . . . . . normal range is 100 - 199.
When I notified my RO of the lab results, I was informed that with Trelstar it is a 10% chance of liver abnormality and Lupron has a 5% chance of liver abnormality. At this point, I will refuse to take that second 3 month shot of Trelstar. Taking the Trelstar shot will only add to the liver abnormality. My RO did agreed to monitor my liver function during treatment and review the use of Trelstar before giving that second shot.
Bottom line . . . . Monitor your liver function when using ADT.
