Does you Onco check your hormone levels?

I'm going to ask mine to test my levels. In had a hysterectomy/BSO two years ago and was on estrogen which I had to stop because of this mess. My DCIS is 70%+ for estrogen. I'm thinking I don't have a heck of a lot left anymore without my ovaries.

I get mine checked, and my onc wants me to do it every 3-4 months to determine when I can switch to an AI. I get FH, LH tested as well as the various estrogens (estradiol, etc.) and also progesterone. I am nowhere near menopause, but he did not recommend shutting down my ovaries :-(.

I don't know how to edit the title, but don't worry about it. What's important is that you get your questions answered ;-).

I meant FSH, which stands for Follicle Stimulating Hormone. The other is Luteinizing Hormone.

Hi,

I didn't ask my MO, but my gynecologist/nurse practioner instead. And she did them, no problem, after she heard my explanation about why I wanted/needed my estrogen levels tested. You might try your gynecology office, but you'll probably have to make an appt and talk to whoever.

After she got the results I had her fax/e-send the results to my MO.

Claire

Baseline bone density/DEXA scan should be routine prior to starting an aromatase inhibitor. Maybe snappy-squirrel's oncologist thought her primary care provider would order it? Good job on requesting one.

I had FSH, LH & estradiol checked twice, a few months apart, before being switched from tamoxifen to AI therapy.

Even with no ovarian function, we have our favorite female hormone supplied internally via enzyme action in fat cells. I think this is why it is so hard to lose weight after menopause: our bodies know how good it is for mood, cardiac health, etc which means every shred of adipose tissue stubbornly hangs around so we can make more...

A bone scan and a DEXA test (bone density) are not the same. Bone scans are not to look for density - DEXA tests are for that.

Because of strong family HX of osteoporosis and relatively early nature meonpaouse (44) I had been having DEXA for years and was already osteopenia - now osteoporosis. Was 63 at DX.

All our bodies produce estrogen - even men - even afer natural or surgical menopause, we ingest estrogen in many things we eat.

Mine did. She said: oh yeah you're still kicking! So Tamoxifen for you!

I had mine checked twice: one as a baseline and then 9 months later, another. Both times proved I was in permanent chemo-pause, so it was goodbye Tamox and hello Arimidex (now Aromasin) for me.

I just had mine checked, but I am not sure what they mean. My Estradiol was 5, my FSH was 11, and my LH was <1. I am on Lupron and had my last injection July 31st.

Bevin,

Can you remember what your pre and post estradiol levels were/are? I'm really interested since my oncologist didn't test mine.

Shirley

I think you can Dr. Google what estradiol levels are and what they mean, also.