Supplements whilst on hormone blockers

Hi Lullabelle , I wasn’t advised to take anything initially. But after surgery I started on Anastrozole and was booked in for a dexa scan to check my bone density, as the drug can thin your bones (as can letrozole). When I eventually got the results of the scan, it showed osteopenia, which precedes osteoporosis. Wouldn’t be much of a concern, given my age (59 at that point) but due to being on the Anastrozole my GP advised taking Calcium and Vit D supplements. I’d already bought my own so she checked that the doses were ok and I’ve taken them ever since - 5 years ago. I don’t take any other supplements as I’m aware that there are some that are believed to potentially inhibit the effectiveness of hormone blockers so I don’t want to risk that. Nobody medical has ever advised me to take anything other than calcium and vitamin D, which is for bone health in my case. 
I do have milled flaxseed daily in my porridge but it’s in food form rather than a supplement/ tablet. I have a decent amount of it as it was recommended by a dietitian, when I went to a talk at Future Dreams House in London. She had worked as a dietitian with oncology patients for years so I trusted her advice. I take it for the Omega 3, as I’m vegetarian so may not get enough in the rest of my diet. But as I’ve said, it’s in its food form, not what I’d class as a supplement. I do try to include things like turmeric and other spices in my cooking as I like the ‘rainbow diet’ approach. 
It’s a difficult area as there’s so much advertising around supplements. And for all I know there may be some out there that could benefit me but I prefer to stick with getting what I need from my diet. That’s just my approach and I’m not a medic. 
Sorry for the long ramble! I feel like I’ve lost the ability to be precise! HFxx

Thank you HappyFeet1 for such a fantastic reply.  You sound a lot like me, I try to eat really healthily and hope that is enough.  Sounds like if I'm swapped on to letrozole likely that's when I'll get advice about vitamin D etc.  I think I'm one of those people who gets a bit swayed by what other people say in conversation, "Oh haven't you tried xxx, my consultant said xxx" and then I go into a head spin about not doing as much as I should.

Really appreciate you taking the time to reply - I will plough on being healthy and try not to get so hung up on the supplement market! xx

Hi Lullabelle  I recently asked my onco this question as it’s so confusing. I’m on tamoxifen & have been since April. She said the only thing everyone should be taking is Vitamin D. She also said the risk of osteoporosis on tamoxifen is low but this increases when on letrazole. I’m 44 so maybe my age comes into that.

Hi, my oncologist recommended a calcium supplement alongside the letrozole tablets and zoledronic acid. I take these combined with Vit D.  You can always cal the Macmillan line and have a chat with one of their experts to get some advice on this. The number is 800 808 0000.  Best wishes 

Breast cancer ,2020, surgery,,,zolendronic acid , up to last year , letrozole, daily , I no longer,have any check ups only mammogram , which next year goes back to normal,, worried re. Bones etc , dca scan done over 2 years ago,, . Had heart attack exactly 1 year ago today. All sorted 2x stents in , x ️. Should I be taking vitamin d N cod liver oil? ,, 

Goodness you sound like you've really been through it Chancery.  Hope you are keeping well now.  I have subsequently been swapped to letrozole and had DEXA scan showing slight bone thinning so consultant advised vitamin D and calcium.  I have heard other ladies saying cod liver oil is helpful for their joints when they ache on hormone blockers, but haven't tried this myself.  Take care x

I think I buy some , ease my mind a bit , unless regular checks on bone density, we have no way of knowing what we are short of really , keep well thanks for replying .x