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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?
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HiKatie46 I had a bit of a cholesterol “journey”, and have gradually got it down under 7, 18 m after finishing treatment and 18 m of Letrozole. Like your approach (healthy diet and increased exercise) I also cut out alcohol. Long story short it’s pretty stubborn but going in the right direction. At first my Oncologist was concerned but was satisfied with my decision to stay off statins after a few other factors came in my favour (I had a calcium test score of “0”, backing in a test I had 5 years ago), my triglycerides ratio was < 1.0 and I had an ECG stress test that was positive. It feels like how we approach needs to be with an open mind depending on our various medical complexity.
Actually this week I discussed giving Tamoxifen a go with my oncologist - I’m hoping some of the side effects of being on an AI that blocks oestrogen production might be relieved - because it works differently. It would be a bonus if it does! According to my oncologist she said it will likely let my cholesterol levels get back to pre bc.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.
