Yes, we have noticed similar levels, and one of our Gynaecologists is putting together a research study to look at this.
His feeling is that ladies on Tamoxifen experience similar problems to ladies with high Oestrogen levels, especially endometrial, and to his ideas, Tamoxifen is acting as a potent Oestrogenic compound, possibly as you suggest.
I believe there is also a CRC trial looking at hormone levels in patients on anti-oestrogen treatments too.
Gary Mascall
Clinical Biochemistry Department
Kidderminster Hospital
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Bewdley Road
Kidderminster, Worcs, UK
DY13 8LP
Tel : 01562 823424 extn 3465
Fax : 01562 513030
email : [log in to unmask]
>>> Sophie Barnes <[log in to unmask]> 02/06/02 09:59am >>>
I've been contacted by a GP who has measured oestradiol in a patient who has been taking tamoxifen for 5 years. The oestradiol concentration was 1412 pmol/L and she wanted to know if this needed further investigation. The patient is 50 y old but has premenopausal gonadotrophin levels (LH 4.3 IU/L, FSH 6.6. IU/L) and is not on any other therapy. Her menstrual cycles are becoming irregular, last one was in November 2000. The sample was taken two weeks ago so we have suggested a second sample to be taken soon to determine whether this result was a pre-ovulatory surge.
According to the kit insert, there is no cross reactivity with tamoxifen up to 0.2 mg/L.
Could the oestrogen antagonistic effect of tamoxifen cause an increased drive to synthesis oestradiol? Has anyone any experience of oestradiol concentrations in patients on tamoxifen therapy?
(I've tried Medline but haven't been able to find any particularly helpful references.)
Thank you.
Sophie Barnes
St George's Hospital, London
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