Hi I am new here!
I was diagnosed with BC just before Christmas and had a mastectomy at the end of January. The operation was straightforward and I feel very well. I was lucky that the sental nodes were not affected and an octotype test gave a score of 9. So the plan was to write to my gp and ask her to commence Letrozole. When I got no copy of a letter I left a message for BC nurse and received a prescription in the post with a note attached telling me it will be prescribed in future by gp. I have had no blood tests taken before or since diagnosis. Is anyone able to tell me if it is normal not to have base line bloods prior to starting Letrozole?
thank you and hoping your day is going well xxx
Hi
Letrozole is normal to automatically get prescribed when you are ER+ BC. However, what I would suggest if it hasn't already been suggested by your oncologist/ doctor is to ask for Vit D and Calcium to run along side with them as they are proven to have an impact on bone density. For that reason, again if it hasn't been suggested, ask for a DEXA scan, to be repeated every 3 years. This measures your bone density and it is normal to have both the Vit D and Calcium and the DEXA scan when you receive a prescription of Letrozole or Anastrozole.
I'm on Anastrozole and I asked my oncologist - he may have been going to suggest it, but I asked for both and he organised it. I only asked because I'd been looking at the possible side effects of the ER+ tablets and this is what was recommended on every search I carried out.
I don't recall having any blood tests, but mine was nearly 4 years ago, so I might have forgotten - but as long as you request the above, that's all you'll really need. Don't panic about it all happening at the same time - I think I had my DEXA scan about 4 months after I started my tablets.
Hope you do ok on the tablets 
I've been on mine for nearly 4 years with no bad side effects.
Lesley x
