HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - For women on lupron/zoladex shots considering AIs

09-01-2005, 06:37 AM

Rosebud;

For peace of mind I have my serum levels of estradial measured (will be <20 if in menopause) along with the FSH which if you are on Zoladex should be at the same low level typicial seen in follicular phase. It is odd that your onc is not measuring your estradial level...maybe he/she does not know how the zoladex works and just assumed you would have high FSH as in natural menopause. I pasted a link below with more details on how zoladex works. Maybe you should print it for your onc.

All the studies I have read show that chemical menopause is as good as having your ovaries out, so it is just a personal decision which way to go. For me I'd rather have a shot any day rather than have surgery.

While the definitive studies are still out it sure is looking likely that Tamoxifen upregulates her2 so I would not want to be on tamox without concurrent herceptin. I would keep pushing to get an AI.

kk1

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/healthf.../100002862.html
Zoladex
How does it work?

Goserelin acetate is a type of medicine known as a gonadorelin (LHRH) analogue. It acts on the pituitary gland in the brain. The pituitary gland produces and stores various hormones, including the sex hormones, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In the male, LH released from the pituitary gland causes the testes to produce testosterone. FSH and testosterone cause the production of sperm by the testes. In the female, FSH and LH cause the production of oestrogen by the ovaries and help control the menstrual cycle. The amount of LH and FSH released from the pituitary gland is controlled by another hormone, called gonaderelin (LHRH), which acts on LHRH receptors in the pituitary gland. Goserelin acetate is a synthetic form of gonaderelin. It acts on the LHRH receptors in the pituitary gland, in the same way as natural gonadorelin. Initially, goserelin causes an increase in the amount of FSH and LH released from the pituitary gland. However, chronic administration of goserelin desensitises the pituitary gland. This means that it produces less and less FSH and LH, which in turn stops the production of oestrogens in the female and androgens in the male. This reduction in the levels of sex hormone can be exploited to treat disorders that are linked to levels of oestrogen or testosterone. The growth of some breast cancers is stimulated by oestrogen, and that of some prostate cancers by testosterone. Because these cancers are sensitive to the sex hormones, goserelin can be used in their treatment. Reducing the body's levels of these hormones causes the tumours to shrink. This treatment does not provide a cure, but rather improves quality of life and increases life expectancy. Similarly, goserelin is used to treat endometriosis in women, a condition where tissue resembling the womb or uterus lining (endometrium) is found in other sites in the body. The growth of this tissue is stimulated by oestrogen, so decreasing oestrogen levels will stop the growth. Administration of goserelin in women results in decreased oestrogen levels. This thins the lining of the womb (endometrium) and most women's periods will stop during treatment. This effect is used to thin the endometrium prior to endometrial surgery, and also to treat women with fibroids who have become anaemic. Goserelin is also used to desensitise the pituitary gland and stop the natural production of FSH and LH, in women with infertility caused by ovulation problems. Synthetic FSH and LH are then administered to stimulate ovulation.

09-01-2005, 06:37 AM	#12
kk1 Guest Posts: n/a	Rosebud; For peace of mind I have my serum levels of estradial measured (will be <20 if in menopause) along with the FSH which if you are on Zoladex should be at the same low level typicial seen in follicular phase. It is odd that your onc is not measuring your estradial level...maybe he/she does not know how the zoladex works and just assumed you would have high FSH as in natural menopause. I pasted a link below with more details on how zoladex works. Maybe you should print it for your onc. All the studies I have read show that chemical menopause is as good as having your ovaries out, so it is just a personal decision which way to go. For me I'd rather have a shot any day rather than have surgery. While the definitive studies are still out it sure is looking likely that Tamoxifen upregulates her2 so I would not want to be on tamox without concurrent herceptin. I would keep pushing to get an AI. kk1 http://www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/healthf.../100002862.html Zoladex How does it work? Goserelin acetate is a type of medicine known as a gonadorelin (LHRH) analogue. It acts on the pituitary gland in the brain. The pituitary gland produces and stores various hormones, including the sex hormones, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In the male, LH released from the pituitary gland causes the testes to produce testosterone. FSH and testosterone cause the production of sperm by the testes. In the female, FSH and LH cause the production of oestrogen by the ovaries and help control the menstrual cycle. The amount of LH and FSH released from the pituitary gland is controlled by another hormone, called gonaderelin (LHRH), which acts on LHRH receptors in the pituitary gland. Goserelin acetate is a synthetic form of gonaderelin. It acts on the LHRH receptors in the pituitary gland, in the same way as natural gonadorelin. Initially, goserelin causes an increase in the amount of FSH and LH released from the pituitary gland. However, chronic administration of goserelin desensitises the pituitary gland. This means that it produces less and less FSH and LH, which in turn stops the production of oestrogens in the female and androgens in the male. This reduction in the levels of sex hormone can be exploited to treat disorders that are linked to levels of oestrogen or testosterone. The growth of some breast cancers is stimulated by oestrogen, and that of some prostate cancers by testosterone. Because these cancers are sensitive to the sex hormones, goserelin can be used in their treatment. Reducing the body's levels of these hormones causes the tumours to shrink. This treatment does not provide a cure, but rather improves quality of life and increases life expectancy. Similarly, goserelin is used to treat endometriosis in women, a condition where tissue resembling the womb or uterus lining (endometrium) is found in other sites in the body. The growth of this tissue is stimulated by oestrogen, so decreasing oestrogen levels will stop the growth. Administration of goserelin in women results in decreased oestrogen levels. This thins the lining of the womb (endometrium) and most women's periods will stop during treatment. This effect is used to thin the endometrium prior to endometrial surgery, and also to treat women with fibroids who have become anaemic. Goserelin is also used to desensitise the pituitary gland and stop the natural production of FSH and LH, in women with infertility caused by ovulation problems. Synthetic FSH and LH are then administered to stimulate ovulation.