Letrozole and diabetes

Mumble 23 days ago

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Hoping someone here can help with an answer. I was diagnosed in February with DCIS. Had mastectomy and reconstruction end March. At the end of April I was prescribed Letrozole. At the same time I had a visit with the diabetes nurse. Informed me that my readings were again down and it was considered I was no longer diabetic and stopped my meds. She suggested a further blood test in three months which I had done a couple of weeks ago. This week I had a call from the gp surgery to say they’d made me an appointment to see the nurse. When I checked my reading it was 60! Never been that high. It appears my cholesterol is a bit high too (on a statin). Seems like too much of a coincidence to me that both of those are raised since starting treatment. Has anyone here had similar problems with Letrozole and diabetes? I was hoping to stay off the diabetes meds but not sure if that’s possibe now. Would love to go see the nurse armed with anecdotal evidence from others.

thanks for reading

Irishgirl16 23 days ago

Hi, I can't help with the diabetes element, but high cholesterol can be a side effect of letrozole, it's something I struggle with. Best wishes

CarrieDecember 21 days ago

i think you’re right in suspecting the Letrozole is behind it.

Ive been diabetic for years (type 1 so on insulin) and was very stable, but when I started Letrozole my insulin to carb ratio was really messed up, I needed more insulin for the same amount of carbs, and the Dr said it sounded as if I’d developed some degree of insulin resistance. Reading up on it Letrozole can mess with blood sugars.

I’ve found that my diabetes specialist knows very little about breast cancer meds and my cancer specialists know very little about diabetes.

I’m lucky that I qualify for the freestyle libre sensors, you might find it useful to see what’s going on with your blood sugars in real time. They’re not cheap to buy but if cost is an issue Abbott who make them do offer one as a free trial. Your diabetic specialist nurse might also have access to a free sample if you’re lucky.

Mumble 20 days ago in reply to CarrieDecember

Thanks for that and it’s good to know there’s someone else out there who thinks the same. I have an appointment with the nurse next week and am trying to get as much info together as I can. I’ve never been asked to check my blood sugar but I think that’s because my levels have always been more borderline than over. Just too much of a coincidence.

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