Reduced EF

emmastarr · 03-01-2012, 09:19 AM

Hi Ladies,
I am 3 months post my last herceptin. My last ECG, one month post herceptin was 65%, however I went for an ECG this morning and it has dropped to 56%, should I be worried? I know it is still within the normal range, but I feel that it's quite a drop given that I am no longer getting Herceptin. I am probably being a worry guts, as per usual.
Thanks, Emma

NanaJoni · 03-01-2012, 09:34 AM

We are all worriers (I prefer what my doctor says - "vigilant". It sounds much cooler.) And we should always pay attention to any changes in our health. That being said - as you mentioned, it's still within normal and if your dr. isn't worried you probably don't have to either. I had some Herceptin related issues 6 months after I stopped it but it all smooths out as you get further out. Are you going to have another ECG in 3 months. I'd want to do that just for peace of mind. For now, as my daughter frequently says "no worries, mom".

chrisy · 03-01-2012, 09:50 AM

Hi Emma,
I have recent experience with this. My EF "dropped" from 67 to 56 in a month while on a clinical trial - which threw them all into a tizzy and me in to ECHO purgatory. I repeated the ECHO one week and three weeks later...with EF at 65 and 66. In my case, the 56 was a "measurement error" which I had suspected.

Remember, an ECHO is art and science, and can be very dependent upon the tech who performs the procedure. My (non medical) recommendation would be to step up your activity regimen - like lots of walking, take some CoQ10 and ask to redo the test, as Joni suggests, in 3 months. All that said, it is still "normal" and your doctor is not worried, take that as a good sign. Joni's a smart cookie, listen to her!