Tamoxifen

jmears
jmears Member Posts: 266
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
How do the doctors determine if Tamoxifen is blocking the estrogen? Do they have a blood test? Jamie

Comments

  • ktinkey
    ktinkey Member Posts: 170
    #2
    Jamie,

    Did you ever find your answer to your tamoxifen question? I was curious. I only know my tamoxifen is working, because my tumors shrank dramatically and have not changed in the last couple of years. I also have the side-effects, hot flashes, etc. I am pre-menopausal, so my body is still producing estrogen like crazy. However, the tamoxifen is keeping it from feeding the tumors. My oncologist says I will be on it forever unless it stops working. No 5 year plan for me. However, she has never said a thing about blood levels for it, so I don't think they test your blood. It would be interesting what your doctor has to say. I don't see mine until March, but will try to remember to ask her then.

    God Bless,
    Kathy
  • jmears
    jmears Member Posts: 266
    #3
    ktinkey said:

    Jamie,

    Did you ever find your answer to your tamoxifen question? I was curious. I only know my tamoxifen is working, because my tumors shrank dramatically and have not changed in the last couple of years. I also have the side-effects, hot flashes, etc. I am pre-menopausal, so my body is still producing estrogen like crazy. However, the tamoxifen is keeping it from feeding the tumors. My oncologist says I will be on it forever unless it stops working. No 5 year plan for me. However, she has never said a thing about blood levels for it, so I don't think they test your blood. It would be interesting what your doctor has to say. I don't see mine until March, but will try to remember to ask her then.

    God Bless,
    Kathy

    Kathy
    Thanks for your comments. I have not heard of tests for effectiveness except as you stated that it is putting the tumors at bay. I am taking it to prevent recurrance ... so as long as I don't have another tumor ... I guess it works. The chemo treatments put me into menopause so I don't think I'm producing as much estrogen as pre-menopause ... but my Dr. says estrogen comes from adrenal and fat glands ... and unfortunetly I have plenty of fat glands. I will ask my Dr. I see him in February. Thanks again for your comments. Jamie

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