1. < Breast Cancer

After estrogen blockers have you had estrogen levels checked?

Posted by tf5758 @tf5758, Apr 22 7:50pm

After taking Letrozole or any other estrogen blockers for estrogen receptors, have you or doctor done labs before and then after to learn what your estrogen levels are?

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reflector75 | @reflector75 | Apr 23 8:03am

No but the point you make is an interesting one. Has anyone any experience of this it would be good to know.
I was under the impression that the AIs virtually take levels to zero.

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minkky | @minkky | Apr 23 9:35am

Good question. I just started on letrozole 8 weeks ago. I wasn't told about any testing for this. I'll be asking my oncology nurse practitioner when I see her in June. Will be interested to see what others say here.

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Mentor
Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Apr 23 10:08am

I've been on letrozole for 2 and a half years. Never tested for estrogen levels--nor do I know of anyone who has been. I think the AI takes estrogen levels to zero or close to it. And mine was low anyway due to menopause. Just to add--no side effects although I'm about to get a bone density test.

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tf5758 | @tf5758 | Apr 23 6:18pm

Thank you all for your feed back

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tf5758 | @tf5758 | Apr 23 6:23pm
In reply to @mir123 "I've been on letrozole for 2 and a half years. Never tested for estrogen levels--nor do..." + (show)
@mir123

I've been on letrozole for 2 and a half years. Never tested for estrogen levels--nor do I know of anyone who has been. I think the AI takes estrogen levels to zero or close to it. And mine was low anyway due to menopause. Just to add--no side effects although I'm about to get a bone density test.

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It is good to hear from someone who has not had bad side effects after 2.5 years. I hope your bone density test comes back good. I'm also getting a bone density test perform soon. I'm trying to gather information where I am at now with my bones and estrogen levels, before I should start any hormone blockers.

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Mentor
Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Apr 23 8:39pm
In reply to @tf5758 "It is good to hear from someone who has not had bad side effects after 2.5..." + (show)
@tf5758

It is good to hear from someone who has not had bad side effects after 2.5 years. I hope your bone density test comes back good. I'm also getting a bone density test perform soon. I'm trying to gather information where I am at now with my bones and estrogen levels, before I should start any hormone blockers.

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Thanks for the support. I had had a bone density test right before my cancer diagnosis. It is good to have a baseline.

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minkky | @minkky | Apr 24 9:40am
In reply to @mir123 "Thanks for the support. I had had a bone density test right before my cancer diagnosis...." + (show)
@mir123

Thanks for the support. I had had a bone density test right before my cancer diagnosis. It is good to have a baseline.

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I had a bone density test 2 years ago so they have a baseline from that. I'll be having the next one in August along with a first mammogram since radiation treatments. By then I'll have been on letrozole for 5-6 months. No side effects so far.

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thora902 | @thora902 | Apr 24 11:41am

No, and most oncologists just don't do it. I have asked and they always view it as useless.

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