Prostate Cancer: Tests You May Need
Other blood tests may look for:
Calcium levels. Calcium helps with muscle contraction, nerve signaling and blood clotting and is essential for the development of strong bones and teeth. Having high levels of calcium, known as hypercalcemia, is rare in prostate cancer patients. Low calcium levels may occur with some agents used to treat bone metastases. Symptoms often mimic the side effects of chemotherapy, including constipation, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, malaise and pain.
Liver function. Because chemo can affect the liver, your doctor may order a liver panel, a blood test that checks how well the organ is working. It detects, evaluates and monitors liver disease or damage by measuring the blood levels of certain enzymes, proteins and other substances. Low or high levels may mean that the liver is damaged or diseased.