Forum Discussion
Letrozole and high cholesterol
I'm struggling to reduce my cholesterol, it's always been a bit high and it's now jumped up to 7, yikes! I'm almost certain this has been caused by the Letrozole as it's a known side effect.
I have a pretty healthy diet and pretty much follow the healthy heart diet, and have for years. I spent 6 weeks being even more strict and managed to reduce it by 0.04 😆
I'm giving it another few months, and picking up my extercise, and will then seriously consider taking statins, if I haven't managed to reduce it more. I've lost 10kg since diagnosis 2 years ago. My good collestrol is still pretty good.
I think I'm kidding myself that it will get better, my husband eats pretty much the same as me, but with more biscuits, and his is perfect 🙄
Has anyone else had a similar issue?
3 Replies
Just an update re my collestrol.
Having spoken to my GP and oncologist I started taking statins, even after being careful about what I ate my collestrol did not come down, it was 7. My oncologist told me I could be a marathon runner and it would barely budge, Letrozole is the culprit.
So I started statins. So far, 8 weeks in, I don't notice any new side effects, so that's good.
Thank you for sharing your updates and experience with Letrozole increasing cholesterol levels Katie46​ , glad to hear you are not having side effects with the statins :)
Hi Katie46,
I have not started, but my oncologist is guiding me towards Letrozole as 'gold standard' for my case. Like you, I have always been on the higher normal cholesterol prior to BC diagnosis. Like you, I have been watching my diet and activity to keep it from going over the standard limit. My husband is similar - eat whatever and cholesterol is perfect. I guess, I can't help you, but I am keen to keep in touch and hear from others as well to navigate this season.
