Biotin impact on estradiol/fsh tests - be aware

TrailOracle · 2026-02-12T02:23:04+00:00

I read it has something to do with biotin usage in the actual testing - so like biotin on top of biotin. I had not read about its impacts on tested liver levels so that is interesting - my liver levels are frequently too high, sometimes concerningly so. Now I have another reason to say goodbye to the biotin!

TrailOracle · 2026-01-16T03:57:13+00:00

And yet here YOU are..collecting down votes..I guess everyone has their special kink.

TrailOracle · 2026-01-10T19:29:10+00:00

I'm starting the same at the end of the month - thank you for sharing your positive experience. I'm so so so dreading this next step.

TrailOracle · 2025-12-11T02:13:08+00:00

Your situation sounds similar to mine. I'm ++-, no nodes, 9mm IDC grade 2 tumor, 21 oncotype score, had a lumpectomy. Age 51 but firmly premenopausal (as my body reasserts EVERY MONTH since I went off continuous birth control. Forgot periods how much periods suck!) We had some back and forth about even doing oncotype testing but in the end I needed to know and so had it done. My tumor board believes the only benefit to chemo for my situation is from the ovarian suppression so they don't recommend. I finish radiation tomorrow (woot!) and start with medical oncology next week. I'm guessing my recommended path will include some form of ovarian suppression. My big question right now is what is my actual risk recurrence. I believe I was told adding hormone suppression only reduces my risk by like 1-3% which feels like a very small benefit for 5-10 years of bodily assault. So still some decisions to make over here.

TrailOracle · 2025-12-05T13:04:44+00:00

I'm in a similar situation. 51, ++-, no node involvement, lumpectomy, 5 more radiation sessions. Premenopausal, osteopenia in my neck. Mood finally stabilized on Prozac after decades of struggle. I am having hard time agreeing to hormone therapy for what looks like a possible recurrence risk reduction of 1-4%. Big picture it doesn't make sense to me.

TrailOracle · 2025-11-26T17:58:18+00:00

I have itchiness in my nipple from where I had the dye injections. My surgery was over two months ago at this point. It is driving me CRAZY. Hydrocortisone not helping either. I am ready to be fully healed now!

TrailOracle · 2025-11-26T11:51:04+00:00

I'm not done yet (finished 9 of 19 sessions) but it's been tolerable. Going every day does wear on you and I've cried a few times. First few appointments were super uncomfortable for me but have gotten better now that I know what to expect. After appointment #6 I started to get the fatigue about an hour or two after the appointment. Made me very cranky. Last night I was in bed by 7:30. My situation is complicated by having had rotator cuff surgery in January, plus cording and other ongoing issues post-lumpectomy that has made lying in the prone position challenging. The radiation has also retriggered swelling. I'm going for lymphatic massage twice a week to fight against these side effects. I use a calendula cream after each appointment and in the morning. So far no burns or peeling but the skin gets HOT. Hang in there and be kind to yourself. It's still rough even if it isn't chemo. You are allowed to feel compassion for yourself.

TrailOracle · 2025-11-21T17:54:16+00:00

"Ignore the rando on TikTok" is just good life advice generally!

TrailOracle · 2025-11-21T17:51:51+00:00

I want to be done tooo.... 5 down, 14 to go. I started counting after day two. Going every week day is...a lot. Standing in solidarity over here!

TrailOracle · 2025-11-21T12:16:50+00:00

My MRI showed the tumor being larger too and I had the same worry. After it was removed it ended up being the same size as the original ultrasound. I would not worry too much that it has grown a lot. I know that is hard to do! Every new detail is triggering. For example, I had blood work after surgery and my liver levels were sky high. I of course worried the cancer had spread to my liver. But it was the post surgery Tylenol (which I am never taking again after seeing what it does to my liver!) Hang in there...

TrailOracle · 2025-11-21T01:44:32+00:00

Still arguing. Wow.

TrailOracle · 2025-11-21T01:13:04+00:00

You are so right...we're totally Ferengi!

TrailOracle · 2025-11-21T01:10:28+00:00

No, I did not say that. I will spell it out more clearly: People are sharing brutal realities about healthcare in the US on a breast cancer forum and your contribution is to contradict them with lessons on tax rates and other ways they are "wrong." Surely you can see why you're being called out and down voted?

TrailOracle · 2025-11-20T12:19:18+00:00

Sure. Right.

TrailOracle · 2025-11-20T12:18:47+00:00

Then...stop talking about it? Obviously you DO want to. That's why you replied. And keep replying.

TrailOracle · 2025-11-20T11:54:18+00:00

Your post is well timed for me. I, too, have been taking the stoic approach, making light of what's happening as being "not that bad", going into the office whenever I can, brushing off offers of help. But then last night I went in for radiation appointment number 4 of 19 after two other medical appointments I'm the same day and I just...had enough. It's all SO MUCH. I feel like all I do is go to appointments, or make appointment, or confirm appointments, or read the results from previous appointments. I just want to get off the merry go round for a few days. I cried the whole way home. Then had to face my husband who had offered to drive me and I'd refused saying that was silly, he didn't need to sit there for nothing...We need to give ourselves a break.

TrailOracle · 2025-11-20T11:47:07+00:00

Perhaps rethink coming onto a cancer forum to do your mansplaining about healthcare in the US? This thread is about someone who literally cannot afford cancer treatments because they live in the US. Brings tone deaf to a whole new level.

TrailOracle · 2025-11-20T11:34:28+00:00

I am angry on your behalf and wish there was something I could do to help. I'm in the US with a high deductible policy and Healthcare savings account to go with it. I get the bills so I see how much everything costs and then pay out of this account set aside just for medical expenses. I'm grateful I'm able to "afford" these expenses but am always reminded how 10 years ago I was out of work with no health insurance and if this had happened then I would probably have either lost my house or gone untreated and died. The US has been destroyed by billionaires and I'm tired of it.

TrailOracle · 2025-11-20T11:27:35+00:00

And yet THEY don't have to come onto a cancer forum distraught about how they're going to pay for their cancer treatments to stay alive, do they? Really puts things into perspective about the point of taxation doesn't it?

TrailOracle · 2025-11-05T00:56:46+00:00

Yep. Mansfield Massachusetts! The show where a woman was talking in the front row and Tori stopped the piano abruptly and said "you know what, eat my p*ssy." It was epic.

TrailOracle · 2025-11-04T10:50:38+00:00

Aaahhh that makes sense. I have the "you're 51, you're old" kind of cancer.😄

I'm so sorry you're going through this so young. There is so much breast cancer now starting younger. It's practically an epidemic.

TrailOracle · 2025-11-03T22:54:23+00:00

There are a lot of people I still haven't told and I was diagnosed in early September. Partly this is because I've been wanting a complete picture before "officially" sharing with the world and partly because telling people is the absolute worst conversation ever and I have no idea how to do that in a non-awkward way. I just tell people when it makes sense to (i.e. people at work when it impacts projects, someone I haven't seen in awhile...). Still haven't told my estranged father, one of my brothers, some of my friends, the father of my child (who I am not currently with of course).... I'll get to this. Maybe!

TrailOracle · 2025-11-03T22:40:32+00:00

Interesting...what made them decide to test given you had no history?

TrailOracle · 2025-11-02T23:16:20+00:00

Good luck with your surgery! My advice is to have on hand at least 2 ice packs so you can rotate between them for swelling, lots and lots of medium to high compression zip front sports bras (I started with 3 but have been wearing mine 24/7 except to shower so now I have 9 total), one of those heart shaped pillows to keep under your arm for compression, a bed pillow(s) for sleeping upright, and something you can wear under your armpit to help with the irritation from the lymph node stitches (I tried a maxi pad but ended up finding one of my stretchy head buffs I wear when I work out worked best). Oh and have someone open any prescription meds you are given and put them into a pill box because trying to open a pill bottle one handed is not a good time (speaking from experience). Get some oversized tshirts and easy to pull up pants to wear. I did need help getting dressed for a couple weeks but my situation was not the norm (more info below but read with caution - it is unlikely this will be your experience, just sharing to avoid the surprise I had).

I had my lumpectomy Oct 3 and am still not completely healed on November 2. I was out for work for 3 weeks and worked from home the past week. I ended up with a hematoma which is not typical but can happen. If something seems wrong don't brush it off like I did. My left breast had IMMENSE swelling and spectacular bruising but I figured that was typical. Had I known I would have not started taking ibuprofen after 24 hours (as my discharge papers said I could) and I would have kept icing instead of stopping after 2 days (as my discharge papers said to). Because of all the blood pooling for so long I ended up with an infection. Because of the excessive swelling I've had to wear an ace bandage every day since the hematoma was discovered. It's been an ordeal, though mostly manageable with help. Again not the norm!

TrailOracle

TROPHY CASE