7/25 Henry C, AMPS=318 +5=400 Acromegaly related question?

[Roxana & Henry]

Prior condo

Good numbers last night with first green in a while followed by insane bouncing today.

New libre placed at vet this Saturday.

We were give the results of the insulin antibodies which was negative (Herny's result was 6 and max is 20 so within range) and the insulin like growth factor 1 - it was 78 which is less than the max of 92 however the vet tech who gave me the result said the igf doubled from January when we first did the test and said the vet will call us to discuss and she never did. So, pretty stressed because that can mean possible acromegaly (especially since he is so hard to regulate). i don't know how they know it doubled because the other test was with a different doctor (maybe they have those results), but she is supposed to call me later today. She is not in internal medicine so I will need to contact the other internal medicine vet but if indeed the factor doubled, then instead of waiting for it to double again, Henry would need a good specialty dr in Atlanta area where they would do the MRI/CT as well as the radiation should it come to that. If he has a tumor, i rather not wait for it to grow.

Anyone that can recommend a good place where they do the radiation in Atlanta area should it come to that?
I usually go to Blue Pearl, but sounded like their practice lost a lot of people and they are not as great as once were. I know UGA in Athens GA has a teaching vet hospital and they may do it but who knows what the waiting time would be. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Tagging @Wendy&Neko as the specialist in Acro kitties.

 

[FrostD]

The radiation recommendations question is probably better asked in the acro forum, not everyone over there reads through all these LLB threads. Quite a few people have gone to NCSU if that's an option for you.

IGF-1 varies from day to day, time to time. So although I wouldnt put the cart before the horse, combined with his dose I do raise an eyebrow. As an FYI there is no correlation between IGF and tumor size, but yes of course if it's there you want to treat as soon as possible for a number of reasons.

I chose not to use an IM vet because there was nothing they could really do for just acromegaly except perhaps referrals to SRT/surgery providers (though wherever you go for SRT you would have one there). Look for an IM vet that actually has experience with acro, we seem to get a mixed bag around here in terms of IM vet quality and knowledge.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

78 is still in normal range. We don't have a lot of people getting their cats tested for IGF-1, and be below 98. Meaning, we don't have a good idea what a normal range is. However, we have one cat here, Howie, who tested at 83 the first time, and positive at a test 4 months later. Howie also got tested the first time too soon, it's recommended to wait at least 73 days after starting insulin to reduce false negatives. Some thing to do with initial response to injected insulin lowering the IGF-1 numbers. I might just wait and retest again later, though it doesn't hurt to research options, just in case, and for growing general knowledge here.

When I contacted Colorado State University, a vet teaching U., about Neko's SRT, it took 3 weeks to get in. But with current times, who knows what the lead time is now. All you can do is phone and ask. There probably aren't multiple places in a city that can do SRT. Can't remember the exact quote, but I think I was told it's something like $3million in concrete costs alone to set up a radiation room. Not even sure there's a dozen places in the US that do it. There are two in Canada.

 

[Roxana & Henry]

Good idea will start researching. The vet still has not called to explain the results. I just go there to have the Libre placed and lab work because they are so close to the house and Henry does not love the car. I have two other vets I work with and will ask about options. I will drive to another state if I have to but oh boy I dread a car drive with Henry.