Her2 Serum Test

[karenann]

A friend of mine was just recently diagnosed with mets to several different places in her bones. Her original bc diagnosis was Her2-. When she went in front of the tumor board, they discussed the possibility of the bone mets being Her2+. They don't think a biopsy is a good idea becase she is in a weakened state and could get an infection, so they are treating her like she is Her2-. I was wondering if they could do the Her2 Serum test on her and find out that way if she is Her2+.

I don't know that much about the test, but maybe some of you know if this idea would work.

Thank you.

Karen

[Gina]

She has NOTHING to lose by taking the test..it is a simple one tube blood test and EVERYTHING to gain...for if she does TURN to be her-2 POSITIVE...then, she could access Herceptin and get her life back..PUSH FOR THAT TEST...it is not always 100 percent..but if she has Her-2 and METS...the numbers will be higher than 12...then, you can add Herceptin and it will make a world of difference. On the other side..if the serum her-2 tests normal..say around 7, I would keep checking it off and on for the next few months..just to be absoutely certain.

Good luck..sorry to hear your story..., Gina

[karenann]

Gina,

Thank you for your response. I am going to make a copy of this post for her, so she can read it.

Glad to see from your other post that you are doing well.

Karen

[karenann]

One more question...does anyone know labs that do the Bayer Serum test?

Thank you.

Karen

[AlaskaAngel]

Per earlier post by Lani (italics mine):

checked with each of the four labs, as the lab I was using sent the last samples sent to another lab with a different range of normal values as their machine was "broken".. That was Specialty Lab and I checked with them today and they have no plans to resume performing serum her2neu ECD by the Bayer Diagnositics method. Then I called ARUP and they do serum her2neu ECD by the manual ELISA method, not the Bayer method, and it too had a different range of normal values. Quest also uses a different method with different normal range, so if you want the Bayer diagnostic automated ELISA method whose normal value is <15 (very important to have reproducible results if you want to follow the result longitudinally and utilize it to judge response to Herceptin), utilize the Lab Corp. test.

Lab Corp, test #480136. Telephone 800-676-8033 or 206-861-7100

[Gina]

One of the best things about using Lab Corp is that if you ask for the serial her-2 and the serial CA 27/29 (and anything other one you want to see over time regularly like the CEA or the CA 15-3 or CA 125....) they also send you these REALLy cool graphs..so you can easily monitor your progress...I like to use the graphs as bio-feedback and then gauge my herceptin dosage and frequency accordingly...very helpful...

Lab Corp is a great lab for these markers. Most insurances...like carefirst and other Blue Cross Blue Shield use them anyway. The Quest results (Medicare uses Quest as their principal lab in this area anyway) can also be used but you don't get the cool graph, or I didn't anyway. The problem with the Specialty Lab is that usually their test is more of just a PASS / FAIL...they will give you the EXACT number your serum her-2 is below 15 but it if is OVER the HIGH value..all they say is HIGH greater than 15 so if you have mets with HIGH levels of serum her-2..it makes it difficult to monitor your progress.

Therefore...I think, anyway, that if you can get access to Labcorp you should send the bloodwork there or better yet..go there and have them draw it in one of their facilities...so its gets frozen right away.

Labcorp has tons of experience and they can also draw the VERY tricky serum Vitamin A test...not for the faint of heart...the technician must be able to hit your vein in the dark by feel--so you will need a top rate phlabotomist, then, he or she must also be coordinated enough to immediately get the blood draw into a special opaque tube as Vitamin A is degraded by any light that might hit it. Ah..yes, had I but one dollar for every blood draw I've seen in my lifetime..well...let's just say, I could practically retire..smile smile smile...

Best luck to all,
Gina

[life]

I am new on this site, I have recently had a lumpectomy and I just found out it is her2 positive. My lymph node are negative, since I am her2 positive I will be having Chemo one year of herceptin. I still have to go and have my margins cleaned, I am looking for some words of advice. I am also scared of all this treatment..... marcia

[AlaskaAngel]

Hi Marcia. I was very scared of all the treatment too. Do you have any questions? I am lymph node negative and HER2 positive too and went through chemo and rads treatment 3 years ago, but back then they didn't give Herceptin to early stage bc patients. If I'm not here when you are, there are many others who pop in and out who know what it is like to be going through it all.

AlaskaAngel