Raised cholesterol on Letrozole

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1

I’ve found out my cholesterol is at a raised level (had it tested several years ago and it was so low it was almost undetectable). I suspect this rise is a side effect of letrozole. Has anyone else expereinced this? If so, were your specialists prepared to do cholesterol tests on an ongoing basis?

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I have been taking Letrozole since the beginning of the year. I wasn’t warned about cholesterol levels. Read the leaflet that comes with the pills but again no mention. Next time I am at clinic I will bring it up

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Hi skinnyminx I am new to this and did post a reply to you but it seems to have got lost. I am on Letrozole and have not been given any advice about cholesterol levels. Read the leaflet that comes in the packet and no mention there. Will defo bring it up when i am next at clinic

4

Hi there, still trying to submit a post. I am on Letrozole and have not been advised about higher cholesterol. There is nothing about it in the leaflet that comes with the pills. Will ask when I am next at clinic

5

Just read this thread will watch with interest as I’ve only been on it 2 weeks and cholesterol is slightly higher than my gp likes already. Chris

6

My oncologist has now said that in her opinion GPs should carry out 6 monthly cholesterol fasting blood tests on patients who are on letrozole.

7

Hi
I think this is a problem with all AI’s. The leaflets don’t explicitly say ‘cholesterol’ but usually ‘raised lipids’ which are the same so I understand. My cholesterol levels have definitely gone up since being on Arimidex and I do have regular checks now. My levels were low enough before starting (3 years ago) that the last time I saw my GP for a test he asked if I’d been on statins then!
Nicky

8

Hi Girls
Been on Letrozole 9 months now and on the leaflet in my tab box it does say one in 10 will poassibly be affected by raised cholestorol…
In my case very raised 8.2 so i,m now on statins… I think mine were a bit high from previous tests so it was the only way forward for me.
I am getting regular checks with my G.P so i,m being well looked after.
Oncology nurse was the first to admit it can affect your levels so they are aware…
Bestest wishes to you all xxxxxxxxhugxxxxxxxxxx

9

Hi
Like Doz 1949 I have been on letrozole for nine months and have an identical 8.2 reading, been given statins and 3 month check ups, been taking them now for two weeks and I was concerned about SE’s particularly muscle aches, as along with the joint aches and pains from the letrozole not a nice thought. However I haven’t noticed anything so keeping fingers crossed this continues.

Best wishes

Angela

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Hi layla 1
Coincidence :slight_smile: not one i,d have chosen though!!!
I do get aches and pains quite badly sometimes, I,ve been taking simvastatin for around 6 months now so when I went for my check up I asked if it was the statins?
I was told it was more than likely the Letrozole but she has tried me on a new Statin, been on it for a week now and I cant see any let up in the aching joints so I think she must be right “its the good old Letrozole” as Statins only stay in the system a few hours after taking them so i,m sure i,d see an improvement by now if it had been them!!
Hope you stay ache free and your cholesterol levels drop asap!!
Regards Doz x