Anastrozole and Cholesterol

 Hi, I've not had this issue, but if I were you I would discuss with the GP, if nothing else but for your own peace of mind.  Best wishes 

Thankyou Irishgirl16 yes I'll try to get an appointment for a chat x

Hi Optimistic, I haven’t had this problem (to my knowledge!) but am also on Anastrozole. I never have reviews, even though the leaflet in the tablet box mentions that it may affect cholesterol for quite a high percentage of people. I asked my GP practice for a medication review a few months ago (after 3 and a half years on Anastrozole), eventually had a phone review with the practice pharmacist, had to push for blood tests! Had to phone for results and was simply told by receptionist that my blood sugar was normal and all other results were ‘satisfactory and required no further action’. I accepted this but afterwards wished I’d asked for the actual figures. Apparently ‘satisfactory’ can mean abnormal…. Even if a higher than normal result is due to the Anastrozole, I’d still want to know what the implications are. Maybe you could ask for an appointment to discuss it all in detail. I feel that we’re a bit fobbed off while on these drugs unless we make a fuss! It’s not really in my nature to do so but I’d rather know the full facts so that I can think about what I might try to do about it, and would also then think about getting specialist dietary advice. And without wishing to be rude about the nurse you spoke to, I’m not sure that nurses or GPs necessarily know that much about diet. 
Hope you get some answers, do let us know how you get on, love and hugs, HFxx 

Hi I'm just going through similar, i only started Anastrazole end April this year diagnosed Jan 2022 and was told that I should get BP and Cholesterol checked.  So over a couple of weeks surgery has checked BP and very high so now on tablets starting this week, review and BP with doc next week.  Cholesterol was 6.7 which is similar to what I've had over last few years so they aren't to worried at the moment doc said didn't want to give me another tablet yet if she could help it.  I did have to call my surgery and ask for tests and they hsve been great and also doing blood checks on liver and kidney, results next week.  Definitely worth having a chat with your GP. All the bext... 

Hello just wondering how you are getting on with your cholesterol? I have the same issue. Been on letrozole and Zoledex which both raise cholesterol. My doctor is telling me to book an appointment with a nurse to discuss my diet. I really don’t think they get that medication can do this! Hoping you found a few answers you could possibly share. I am currently also concerned about Adcal which I have been blindly taking without realising it wasn’t going to my bones ( diagnosed with osteoporosis!) and maybe clogging my arteries instead. Very worrying when no one is monitoring this for us ladies. 
wishing you well… Jo 

Hi jbsparkle  and others on this thread…. Since my post here , over 3 years ago, I had routine blood tests last autumn and I do now have above recommended level of total cholesterol. I think 5.7, so not massively high but having never had this issue before, it’s obviously a concern. I saw a nurse who went over my ‘lifestyle’ in detail (as part of a heart risk assessment, which was all positive) and she concluded that she couldn’t advise anything else that I could do! She checked with one of the GPs re statins, and they didn’t feel that they were warranted at this point. She reckoned it was almost certainly the Anastrozole which had caused the rise as nothing in my diet or exercise regime could really be improved. Sort of reassuring but what is worrying is that there’s no plan to follow up with any monitoring whatsoever! I’m due to finish my 7 years on Anastrozole in December so my own plan is to wait till the new year when it will hopefully be out of my system, then ask for blood tests to see where my levels are by then. 
I’m also waiting for my 4th dexa scan in a few months - I have osteopenia which has worsened slightly over my time on hormone therapy but hopefully hasn’t reached osteoporosis yet. We’ll see! It’s all such a juggle re hopefully keeping the beast at bay but also taking account of unwanted effects. Love and hugs, HFxx

Hi Jo and all, so 3 years in and my cholesterol has crept up 6.9 last September, but I have always had a weight problem so diet was a bit rubbish and went up more cancer year. But I've taken that in hand and started losing weight in  beginning January this year, 1 stone 11 pounds down still more to go but my next test is July so I'm waiting to see if the weight loss makes any difference, hoping for 2 or 3 stone gone by then. Also have high blood pressure never had that pre Anastrazole, I do have tablets for that. I have Osteopenia and take Evacal D3 twice a day this year's Dexa scan showed same as 3 years ago so happywith that. Not heard about clogging arteries that's a bit shocking. May ask about that next visit.  Wishing you all the best.. 

Hi jbsparkle I take Adcal, what do you mean it doesn't go to your bones, I thought that this is what it was for Vit D and calcium.  Have I got this wrong?  

There are studies that show supplementing with calcium can block arteries . It’s better to get it from your diet . I do take a supplement but just a small dose . 
and also supplement with vitamin D/K, which is meant to help absorption . 
My cholesterol is slightly above range but has been pre breast cancer ( thyroid issues ). High cholesterol isn’t just fat , it’s sugar that can cause it too . I’d rather eat full fat Greek yogurt than a low fat one with sweeteners. 

Hi klf  I have secondary breast cancer with bone mets in pelvis, spine, ribs and skull.  My oncologist prescribed the Adcal twice a day which is probably to help with my bones as I had breast cancer 12 years ago and now have osteoporosis due to the tamoxifen and letrazole.  I think I will take a chance with my arteries but there is so much to worry about isn't there?  I also have denosumab injections every four weeks which is to strengthen the bones.  I am trying to eat healthier.  Good luck to all on this cancer journey.