Anastrazole raised cholesterol and parathionism

Hello Polar Bear,  how are your dexa scans as high parathyroid hormones can have something to do with osteoporosis.  Can you see endocrinologist as they deal in hormones?  Take care.

Hi Polar Bear , I’m another Anastrozole pill popper, have been on it for 6 years and due to finish in December. Part of me can’t wait to stop as I have the joint aches and fatigue, not to mention a brain that often feels like mush. But it also feels like it’s my safety net so I’m quite apprehensive about stopping. 
My cholestrol is also raised and I’m sure it’s the Anastrozole as the nurse couldn’t make any suggestions re lifestyle changes - I’m already doing them! I haven’t been offered statins so far. 
I can’t comment on the parathyroid hormone issue, but hopefully your GP will help with this. I didn’t know about the connection with osteoporosis. I had a dexa scan when I first started on the Anastrozole, which showed osteopenia. I have dexa scans every 2 years now and the last one showed a bit of deterioration, but apparently not enough to merit bisphosphonates. 
The other thing I’ve seen mentioned here are ‘holidays’ from hormone treatments - short breaks to see if the fatigue and/ or joint pain improves. Maybe you could discuss that with your oncologist? I’ve always been too scared to take a break from them! 
Good luck with it all, love and hugs, HFxx

Hi there, I’m on letrozole, but my cholesterol has also increased due to this. I've tried a change of diet, lots more oats, almost no saturated fat etc and this has helped, the last two tests each saw it drop by 0.5 each time.   Best wishes 

Hi Barbara

i’ve just picked up my notifications so apologies if it’s taken a while to respond.

I had a dexa scan when I was diagnosed 5 years ago. I’m not sure if I’m due another. I see the GP tomorrow and suspect he’ll request a calcium blood test. The best care scenario will be a normal calcium level and the side effects of Anastrazole causing the high PTH….possibly. 

x

Hi Happy Feet (great name tag btw) 

I have been considering finding out whether I can reduce the time I take Anastrazole with minimum risk. Ten years is a long time to feel exhausted but like you I’m reluctant to let go of the pills. 
I haven’t seen an Oncologist since my op. It was a strange time. I had a mastectomy in lockdown so was in and out of surgery in the same day. I’m not sure what is usual. Anyway, I might know more when I speak to the GP. He might refer me to see an oncologist or endocrinologist. Who knows! 
Your GP probably hasn’t put you on statins if your about the stop the hormone treatment. I suppose they want to find out how your cholesterol settles.
Take care. You’ve done very well taking anastrazole for 6 years. I read somewhere that hormone treatment can be brutal.
x

Hi IrishGirl16

that’s great news. Well done on reducing your cholesterol by changing your diet. I changed my diet but it didn’t have a beneficial effect, sadly. The statin side effects have been too much for me to cope with and I’ll be trying a new type in March. Fingers crossed. 
x