Letrozole, high cholesterol, Vitamin B12 deficiency

So...blood test results in and all is within normal ranges for B12. Hmmm would have almost preferred it otherwise so now it's just monitor it every few months and see what happens. Nice one...

Too right Zoffiel, my sentiments exactly.

Well said. Zoffiel. T

The gift that keeps on giving. Fuck cancer and all the horrible chemical friends it brings to the party. Humph.

No chemo, no rads just letrozole and vitamin D. I did have two lumpectomies (August and September last year) but i don't know what my B12 levels were then as no blood test was done for B12. My diet is good, has to be as i also have problems absorbing fructose so i have to avoid certain foods. I'd already made certain changes to my diet (thinking this may happen) like less than halving the amount of wine :( adding more fish, already used pro-activ margarine, drinking more water, upping my exercise, eating more fruit & veg (within fructose limits) so i'm really pissed off this has happened but am determined to get it down through diet and exercise. Fatigue really hits me hard if i don't get a good sleep and that's one of the symptoms of low B12 so there could be something in it.

That's not fun! I have been on Femara for over 4 years and I have not had this problem, My last blood tests (October 2017) were quite normal. I do take a vitamin B supplement (for peripheral neuropathy) and I had extensive blood tests a couple of years ago to try and get to the cause of (temporary) hair shedding, but I had no deficiencies such as iron. Best wishes.

Did you have chemo or other surgery?

My B12 was 1 but it was within 3 weeks of surgery so I had it rechecked and back to normal after.

Chemo can be super hard on the stomach and intestines so they might take time to recover and start absorbing properly. 

If you take a calcium supliment at same time as iron rich foods it diminishes absorption. 

Dyring chemo our body is constantly replenishing pur blood so store keveks can become low.

Estrogen is a protective factor against heart disease, so blocking it can increase long term risks. I know I'm conscious of my diet and will be regularly checking cholesterol levels to ensure not getting to high. I noticed a spike after commencing letrozole but to be honest my diet was also not so good at that time.  I'm hoping my next test will be better now my diet is back on track. Fingers crossed. 

My cholesterol spiked too .Statins is usual prescription but found it caused substantial problems after 6 months - I thought I was developing dementia - there has been a lot of people with similar memory issues and a lot in the media about it since around 2016. My alternatives include rolled oats for breakfast daily , low dose aspirin , selecting low fat dairy , fish and other dietary adjustments to lower cholesterol eg olive oil.As I understand it it’s the balance between HDL and LDL that’s important not the total - the good has to outweigh the bad. I have not had any blood issues .