High esteogen levels

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Tzofeh
Tzofeh Member Posts: 8
edited July 2021 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hello all! That should be "high estrogen levels" and not Esteogen levels. Uhg. I was NED from 2015 until this spring, with recurrence to a small spot under my arm and a tiny sclerotic lesion (mets) to the sternum.

Surgery under the arm got clear margins and stereotactic radiation blasted the sternum. I just finished up a month ago and they switched me from Arimidex to Aromasin. Two weeks later I couldn't handle the side effects anymore so I am about to start Tamoxifen.

This is probably a good thing! I asked my pdoc to check my estrogen levels while on Aromasin and yesterday the results came back at 80 pg/ml!!!!! I was horrified to say the least. The results were faxed to my medonc but haven't heard a word.

I had bilateral salingo-ooph Dec '14. I am seeing my pdoc Wednesday and will request my FSH level be checked (suspecting Remnant Ovarian Syndrome). My estrogen levels are at premenopause range, not good.

I have very little body fat, thin, and 99% ER+. This could explain the recurrence.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any thoughts on other sources of estrogen this high??? I don't do phystoestrogens and obviously no hrt. I am freaking out. Thanks!!

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited July 2021

    Estrogen is produced also by fat cells, the adrenal gland after menopause and I was told in a previous post the liver and brain. Mine was high as well....unbelievable!

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  • Tzofeh
    Tzofeh Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2021

    Yes, aromatase converts androgens to estrogen, but it shouldn't be at those levels (maybe up to 30). Did you also have an oopherectomy? I had estrogen levels checked for a year afterwards and they were "undetectable". It's a shame estrogen levels aren't consistently monitored while we are on an AI to catch it before a recurrence.

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  • jensgotthis
    jensgotthis Member Posts: 937
    edited July 2021

    I didn’t think they prescribed an AI unless you were in menopause either chemically (via Lupron) or from an oophorectomy

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited July 2021

    She said she had her ovaries removed in 2014.


    I'm sorry you're going through this, Tzofeh. I never had my estrogen checked but wish I had, as I developed a metastasis while on anastrazole.


    Hoping you get the answers soon and a smooth and successful treatment plan.


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  • Tzofeh
    Tzofeh Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2021

    Thank you guys! Yes, ovaries removed in 2014 with no detectable estrogen for a year. Now my levels are at premenopause levels. 😳

    I believe this may be a cause of "AI failure".
    I'm going to see about getting my FSH levels checked as well, and if they are at premeno levels it may be the rare Remnant Ovarian Syndrome. I never knew ovaries could grow back if a tiny bit of tissue is left behind.

    I definitely plan to have my estrogen levels checked regularly from here on out because it could have prevented my recurrence while on Anastrazole. Maybe this should be a standard lab for us ER+ women? It would quickly detect our meds not working as they should. ❤️

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