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How Concerning is this?

Posted by leo55 @leo55, May 17 11:43am

Five years ago, I had my prostate removed, with no radiation or chemo. For the first four years, my PSAs were always < 0.1.

Last year was the first time it elevated to 0.1. It subsequently went back down to < 0.1 and it stayed that way for six months.

Then it went back to 0.1 and I now received a result of 0.2 for the first time. I am wondering if this is really concerning or not?

I have been working out since I was 15 and I am now turning 70. I do not use testosterone therapy but I do use supplements such as creatine, glutamine, EAA amino acids, as well as Lion's Mane and magnesium.

I wonder if any of these supplements might raise my PSA.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

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azp52 | @azp52 | May 20 11:16am
In reply to @brianjarvis "Interesting. You say that you’re on ADT, your PSA is lower m, but your T is..." + (show)
Profile picture for brianjarvis @brianjarvis

Interesting. You say that you’re on ADT, your PSA is lower m, but your T is not.

How ADT works —> ADT lowers T which results in lower PSA. So, if on ADT and your PSA is lower, but your T is not, then something else is going on. (Which ADT are you on?)

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I dug into this some and found this
Why T Levels Might Appear Normal:
In some cases, even with Lupron's effectiveness in lowering testosterone, the initial T levels might still be within the normal range. This is because some testosterone comes from sources other than the testicles, and Lupron primarily targets testicular testosterone production.
Lupron, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, suppresses testosterone production, leading to a decrease in PSA levels, even if T levels remain within the normal range. This occurs because PSA, a marker for prostate cancer, is influenced by testosterone. While T levels might remain in the normal range, Lupron effectively reduces the stimulation of prostate cells that produce PSA, resulting in a lower PSA count.

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azp52 | @azp52 | May 20 11:17am
In reply to @jeffmarc "It takes 2 to 3 months for most people to get their PSA down to undetectable...." + (show)
Profile picture for jeff Marchi @jeffmarc

It takes 2 to 3 months for most people to get their PSA down to undetectable. Your testosterone doesn’t go up if you are castrate resistant, more likely it just hasn’t gone down all the way, yet. If castrate resistant your PSA goes up even though you’re on ADT. Give it some time.

If your PSA does continue to rise while on ADT then you need an ARSI like Zytiga or a Lutamide, That can get your PSA down when ADT alone won’t do it.

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Thank you for the info. This helps.

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nparadisum | @nparadisum | May 20 11:28am
In reply to @hbp "In addition to lupron ADT you might benefit with an androgen receptor such as Erleada It..." + (show)
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In addition to lupron ADT you might benefit with an androgen receptor such as Erleada It helped me 3 years ago. I am G9, CR advanced etc

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I've been on the same protocol for three months. PSA now is 0.1 ng

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robertov | @robertov | May 20 12:08pm
In reply to @chippydoo "Is it really easier to kill than roaches? Why would a top regional research doctor tell..." + (show)
Profile picture for chippydoo @chippydoo

Is it really easier to kill than roaches? Why would a top regional research doctor tell me that? How often do we hear of guys with .3 reoccurrences having anything showing up on their scans. Yeah, I had a big question mark on my face when he said that. My insurance changes next month to medicare so I believe I will be free to seek opinions at NCCN facilities.

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Make sure you take A Supplement Plan to round it out. We have Plan ‘N’. Makes approvals much easier.

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brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | May 20 12:09pm
In reply to @azp52 "Exactly! I’m not sure what’s happening. I am on Lupron and experiencing some obvious, not-so-great side..." + (show)
Profile picture for azp52 @azp52

Exactly! I’m not sure what’s happening. I am on Lupron and experiencing some obvious, not-so-great side effects, yet my T-levels are low normal. I have no pre-treatment T-levels for comparison. A lower PSA post-Lupron injection should correlate with a very low T-level. The last PSA test was rising slightly, so we'll see where this all goes. I’m considering stopping the Lupron and monitoring. The only treatment I am on that would lower the PSA is Lupron.

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The purpose of using Lupron is to get your T below 50 ng/dL; as a result, your PSA should get to undetectable (“< “). (While on Eligard, my T dropped to 3.0 ng/dL, and my PSA down to < 0.008 ng/mL.)

At T levels of >300 ng/dL you might not be feeling any side-effects of the Lupron. It depends on what baseline T levels would have been for you.
Has your PSA had a significant drop?

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brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | May 20 12:36pm
In reply to @azp52 "I dug into this some and found this Why T Levels Might Appear Normal: In some..." + (show)
Profile picture for azp52 @azp52

I dug into this some and found this
Why T Levels Might Appear Normal:
In some cases, even with Lupron's effectiveness in lowering testosterone, the initial T levels might still be within the normal range. This is because some testosterone comes from sources other than the testicles, and Lupron primarily targets testicular testosterone production.
Lupron, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, suppresses testosterone production, leading to a decrease in PSA levels, even if T levels remain within the normal range. This occurs because PSA, a marker for prostate cancer, is influenced by testosterone. While T levels might remain in the normal range, Lupron effectively reduces the stimulation of prostate cells that produce PSA, resulting in a lower PSA count.

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Yes, in very small amounts in the adrenal glands. It’s reported that the testicles produce around 95% of testosterone, while the adrenal glands account for the remaining 5%. That should help with your estimates.

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ededed | @ededed | May 20 12:38pm

I use Lion's Mane and Turkey Tail mushroom supplements. I credit Turkey Tail with keeping my PSA low. I have an aggressive form of PC with local mets. My urologist is surprised I am doing as well as I am and told me at my last checkup (4 years post radiation treatment and 3 years post ADT) to keep doing what I am doing. Turkey tail has credible peer reviewed research demonstrating that it kills prostate cancer stem cells. My last PSA was 0.07.
One of these days I will start a Turkey Tail thread on this site.
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leo55 | @leo55 | Jun 2 7:56pm
In reply to @vancouverislandhiker "Leo - very similar to my case . Where do you live BTW ? Your PSA..." + (show)
Profile picture for VancouverIslandHiker @vancouverislandhiker

Leo - very similar to my case . Where do you live BTW ? Your PSA numbers are all one digit . For example my PSA level after surgery and 22 sessions of Salvage radiation is 0.036 and falling . Have you always used same lab ? I think you have to have 2-3 higher PSA counts above 0.02 before most Radiation Oncologists will start to react to it . What does your Dr say ? Your urologist has to be consulted . Supplements , could drive up PSA depending on type . I take magnesium with no problems though . Yes Testosterone is great stuff BUT like tossing gasoline on a fire . Be careful and consult with your urologist . your king of needing a deeper look . What was your Gleason score 4+3 , or ? Dont leave it follow up with a RO consult too !

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Thank you very much for your response and comments. I was living in
Vancouver, however, moved to Edmonton 4 years ago. Unfortunately, I don't
know my Gleason score. I have come off of all supplements except magnesium
and lions mane and test again in 3 months. I have heard of the benefits of
turkey tail and will give it a try.
Congrats on your good progress!

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VancouverIslandHiker | @vancouverislandhiker | Jun 3 9:27am
In reply to @leo55 "Thank you very much for your response and comments. I was living in Vancouver, however, moved..." + (show)
Profile picture for leo55 @leo55

Thank you very much for your response and comments. I was living in
Vancouver, however, moved to Edmonton 4 years ago. Unfortunately, I don't
know my Gleason score. I have come off of all supplements except magnesium
and lions mane and test again in 3 months. I have heard of the benefits of
turkey tail and will give it a try.
Congrats on your good progress!

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Hi Leo - you moved to Edmonton 4 years ago ? Cold winter there ! Ouch ! I Live Mid Vancouver Island . Greta for hiking and fishing . I also have a Trail motor bike I take up the mountains often . We dont really get a harsh winter here , But im overseas about 4-5 months a year in the Philippines , so I never really get to see how cold it gets . My boys looks after the dogs when im out of country . Living life to its fullest . I appreciate each day . My URO is not worried at all with my case . He says the very low post operation and 22 sessions of radiation is not cause for any concern and I like have some healthy PSA cells hanging around . He says my PSa fluctuating in the low range of 0.042- 0.029 is not a cause for concern . He told me she has several patients with some healthy cells in the pelvic region and that is perfectly OK. The radiation generally doesn't kill of robust healthy cells just the cancer cells. Anyway I was surprised to hear this and his lack of concern. Do you feel this is normal?

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