high estrogen levels on tamoxifen

3boysmom39

hi ladies,

 just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced high estrogen levels while on tamoxifen and did this level eventually go down on it's own or were you switched to different therapy med.? My estradiol ( estrogen ) level is 102, should be less than 20. Also my WBC count is elevated and my liver function test are also elevated...any similar situations out there? I've been on Tamoxifen for 4 months. Any info. would be appreciated! Thanks!

KEW

Hi,  My estridol level was 189 (range 0-571) when checked before my hyster/ooph.  I had been on Tamoxifen for 6 months--no periods, had the test that says I metabolize it well. Tamoxifen is not going to reduce those levels, that is not its function.  Tamoxifen functions by blocking the estrogen you have from plugging into some estrogen receptors.  It blocks estrogen from plugging into breast cancer cells local and distant, but it has an estrogenic effect on our bones, and heart--which is good, it is better on our bones and heart than AIs.  That same estrogenic effect is what can cause uterine cancer, and clots--kind of like being on the pill.  Why do you think your estridol should be less than 20?  Post-menopausal women are 45 or below, but if you are pre-menopausal your body will have higher levels even on Tamoxifen.  If you want to lower your levels and are pre-menopausal ask your onc about chemical suppression of your ovaries, or surgical, which is what I did, but I'm 49 and done having kids.  I'm staying on Tamoxifen, even though I had my ovaries out.

I hope this helps.

Karen

3boysmom39

Karen,

thanks for the reply. My onc. seemed concerned about high level, told me it should be below 20....she said to wait another month and re-test, may think about changing meds. I'll ask her when I go back...I think I'm more concerned because I have a small lump on non bc side, It's really small and feels like a lymph node but still, it screws with my head!!!! By the way when I went to my primary MD last month my estradiol levels were low and she considered me menopausal.

          Karen

KEW

Karen---I'm sure the lump is messing with you big time, get that sucker checked out!

I'm not sure why your onc would expect your levels to be low--I had three oncs tell me that Tamoxifen does not lower levels.  Our levels vary during our cycle

Midcycle 36-571 pg/mL, Luteal 22- 256 gp.mL, Post menopausal 0-45 pg/mL.

I'll be thinking about you!

Hugs,

Karen

Calif-Sherry

Hello all, my estrodial levels have been over 600.  I am on tamoxifen.  I have a somewhat unique problem.  When I thought I had been put into menopause by an ooph in '06, it turns out that the other ovary that should have been removed back in 1998 was not completed removed.  I have ovarian remnant syndrome (a piece of ovary left), that is producing estrogen that has a hemmoraghic cyst on it!  sigh....  The gyno-oncologist tells me that the tamoxifen should be working in my case.  When I went in for the latest estrodial test, the level was 286.  Maybe, I'm going into menopause, finally.  I'll be 53 in August.

BTW, I just talked to my onco about lupron.  I'm thinking of doing that.  I started a new job and don't want to take off right now, so maybe the lupron would do the trick.  Who knows.....

KEW

Sherry--God, what a story!  Why can't things ever be easy? Wishing you luck.

Hugs,

Karen

trigeek

Yes before my oopherectomy my estrogen levels also popped my gynec's eyes  ! I also was on tamox for 6 months.

3boysmom39

Karen,

My onc. said just monitor lump until re-do of labs in June, but definitely let her know ahead of time if it seems to be getting bigger....thanks for the info. , I thought the higher level was no big surprise either but now my onc. has confused me a little...I'll keep you posted. It's so nice to have others to talk to....waiting to see the doctor always seems like forever!

 Karen

KEW

Karen--Take good care, and please do keep me posted.  I have a follow up to my hyster/ooph next week and I'm going to ask her to re-run my hormone levels, I'm curious to see what comes back. 

Karen

vivre

Tamoxifin does not effect the estrogen levels. What it does is affect the sex hormone binding globulins. It is these hormone binders that attach to cancer cells. It also effects estrogen metabolism. The number here that is important is the ration of the 2 and 16 hydroxyestrone. If you are taking arimidex or another AI, then that is what blocks all production of estrogen. These drugs work in two different ways, which is why the AI's are generally prescribed after menopause. What always troubles me is that doctors do not always take these tests before you start on the drugs, so how can they measure if they are working? I went to a naturalist doctor who got my bloodwork and then I started taking I3C, which does the exact same thing as tamox, it lowers the ability of the binding proteins and estrogen metabolism. My binding protein number went from 127 to 69 and my metabolism ration went from high in the reference range to low, which is considered safe. Just something for you to consider. By the way, my estradiol is .4. I think that much adherence to a healthy diet, weight loss, and daily exercising is what has brought my estrogen levels down. I have not used any drugs.

Charley18

HI I am not sure if this thread is still available I have just been given tamoxofin and dont want to take it. Can you tell me what 13C is and how I can get it I hope you are doing well

dtad

Hi everyone...This is an old thread but I've said many times that most MOs know very little about female hormones. IMO there should be an endocrinologist or at least a gynecologist on our BC team.

mellee

Hi Charley, I don't know your situation but I do know that I didn't want to take tamoxifen either. I had heard so many horror stories. However, I have done really well on it. I had nightsweats and joint pain for a couple of months, but then those side effects mostly disappeared. Now, the only thing I notice is that I lose more hair than I used to and I get occasional breakouts. Nothing I can't handle! So don't assume you will be miserable on it. Best of luck to you and your treatment!