What blood tests should I ask for?

JennyB100104

What blood tests should I ask for?

JennyB100104

Hi Everyone,

I'm in the middle of chemo right now. My side effects haven't been fun, but they've been manageable. I'm seeing my "main" oncologist only once during chemo, and it's this Friday. Since I changed oncologists, I haven't had any blood tests done. No liver tests, markers, etc. 

I want to ask for a blood test, and I want to ask for a few specific things this time. I don't know if these are normally given in the middle of chemo, but even if they do it after chemo, I think I should know so I can address the issues as needed:

CA 27-29 (what other tumor markers?)

Liver function

Vitamin D

Iodine (the surgeon found 2 thyroid nodules)

TSH

O2/C02 levels

Calcium

Can you think of anything else I should specifically ask for that might be thrown off by the cancer and/or treatments and that I can address with nutrition, lifestyle, etc.? Which of these tests can be done  now (during chemo) and which should wait? 

I'm open to any ideas. Thanks so much!

gfbaker

If you are going to take tamox, there is a metabolizing test you should take. Some women don't metabolize it, thereby making it a waste. I am an intermediate metabolizer, which means there are other drugs and stuff I need to avoid so that tamox can do its thing. Its really good info to have if you are going to take it.

JennyB100104

That's a good idea, because I probably will be doing tamoxifen. I'll ask about that! Thanks!