Anastrozole...has anyone had an increase in glucose or cholesterol

Posted by sandyjr @sandyjr, Jul 22, 2019

Since I started taking anastrozole....June 2018....my glucose and cholesterol readings seem to be increasing...enough for me to be concerned as I do not want to be put on any more medicine...especially for these issues. Has anyone had this problem? I always get copies of my test reports so that I will know what is happening and so that I will not be blindsided at a Dr appointment. Most of the complaints about anastrozole have been about physical discomfort...what about changes in blood tests?

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gldilli | @gldilli | Feb 16 4:28pm

In reply to @janey42 "That's very interesting. Do you suffer any side-effects from this medication?" + (show)

Not that I’m aware of.

janey42 | @janey42 | Feb 19 7:21am

I have increasing glucose, cholesterol levels, along with dramatically increasing b/p after only 7 months on anastrozole. It's very frustrating. I am looking for suggestions about this problem.

mbfsilver | @mbfsilver | Feb 22 10:37am

I've been on Exemestane for 5 years, and have 5 to go. My cholesterol and especially my glucose levels have gone up. I'm 67, and aging plus being overweight have probably contributed to this. I also have some other health conditions and meds that are causing weight gain and higher glucose levels. I lost 20 lbs on Noom in 2023 but various stressors caused me to give up. Bad idea!

I'm back on Noom. Weight loss is really slow, but not gaining is a win. I'm also paying more attention to eating low on the glycemic index. Lots of obstacles, but it's worth it to keep trying.

jesusmaryjoseph77 | @jesusmaryjoseph77 | Apr 24 10:14am

Has anyone had an increase in. Cholesterol and Calcium levels as a result of taking Anastrozole?

Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Apr 24 10:48am

In reply to @jesusmaryjoseph77 "Has anyone had an increase in. Cholesterol and Calcium levels as a result of taking Anastrozole?" + (show)

Can you tell us a bit more? How long have you been taking anastrozole? How severe are the increases? Sounds like this is concerning--have you had a chance to discuss with your oncologist? I'm sure you'll get some useful responses here from other readers.

tootsiemysong | @tootsiemysong | Apr 25 11:43pm

Just started vitamin D3 and k2 ,calcium to help with my bones but I'm a diabetic and being on this medication has other affects will stay away from all red meat and anything that's process.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 26 11:54am

In reply to @jesusmaryjoseph77 "Has anyone had an increase in. Cholesterol and Calcium levels as a result of taking Anastrozole?" + (show)

@jesusmaryjoseph77, I moved your question to this existing discussion:

- Anastrozole...has anyone had an increase in glucose or cholesterol
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anastrozole-has-anyone-had-an-increase-in-glucose-or-cholesterol/

arniead | @arniead | Apr 26 8:55pm

Yes. I've seen increases in both. I always had very low cholesterol, now it is at the highest end of the range. I only recently (past few years) started checking glucose. That was recently a point high out of range, then 1 point away from high at the next test.

jesusmaryjoseph77 | @jesusmaryjoseph77 | Apr 26 10:16pm

I have been on Anastrozole for 21/2 years. I see the oncologist at Mayo every three to six months. My primary does these tests. I’m going to discuss it with my oncologist in a very weeks when I have more tests. Thank you all for your replies. You’re great !❤️

flygirl747 | @flygirl747 | Apr 29 10:39am

In reply to @jesusmaryjoseph77 "Has anyone had an increase in. Cholesterol and Calcium levels as a result of taking Anastrozole?" + (show)

If you look up the side effects of Anastrozole, your symptoms are listed. Every drug we are prescribed for B/C has side effects. Some people have minor side effects, and others can have severe side effects.