1. < Breast Cancer

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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otas | @otas | 2 days ago

Just a correction:-
I was diagnosed with stage 1 estrogen positive lobular breast cancer

REPLY
1 reply
jesusmaryjoseph77 | @jesusmaryjoseph77 | 2 days ago
In reply to @otas "Hi Linda2114, Just read your experience with Anastrozole, I felt I was reading about my own..." + (show)
@otas

Hi Linda2114,
Just read your experience with Anastrozole, I felt I was reading about my own side effects. I’ve been on Anastrozole now for a couple of years, I’m 76 and was diagnosed with stronger positive lobular breast cancer stage 2. I had lumpectomy & 5 bouts of radiation.
I have now have developed osteopenia. High cholesterol blood sugars and tachycardia
I never had any of these conditions before. To top it all I’ve also lost so much of my hair!
Before my breast cancer diagnosis I was in good health and had no chronic conditions. Now I feel I’ve aged 10 years.
My doctor suggests I try taking examastin but this also has the same side effects.
I really don’t know what to do?

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Hi Linda,I am so sorry you are going through all this. I am 71 and got breast cancer 2 and a half years ago. I had a lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes. My cancer is hormone driven so if I stop Anastrozole I stand a 35% chance of getting it back. I have gradually been getting osteopenia of years so I have decided that certain conditions are inevitable withholding age. I have 2 and a half years of anastrozole and have also been told about an alternative drug. If it helps this is my way of addressing it: I try to be as positive as I can. I look for foods or supplements that can fight the side effects of Anastrozole. I had to stop taking Tumeric which is a wonderful supplement for inflammation and siatica but interacts negatively with Anastrozole. I took Biotin for the thinning of my hair but was told only to use topical Biotin because the actual supplement can effect the results of the cancer antigen test. I have changed my diet free from sugar and my glucose has gone down considerably. The cholesterol is still an issue. Doctor's go both ways on the effects of Anastrozole on cholesterol levels. I have been taking Magnesium Glycinate as advised by the doctor for night sweats. Cherry Tart was also suggested. I take the gummies, for sleep, inflammation and support of muscles. Another thing that has helped me is exercise. Working out has really helped me.
It is so hard to decide what to do since there are so many factors. I decided that I know my own body and I'll keep fighting the Anastrozole for now.
I hope the information I have given you helps in your decision. Keep your spirits up and take care of yourself. Have a blessed day!!

REPLY
1 reply
lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | 1 day ago
In reply to @jesusmaryjoseph77 "Hi Linda,I am so sorry you are going through all this. I am 71 and got..." + (show)
@jesusmaryjoseph77

Hi Linda,I am so sorry you are going through all this. I am 71 and got breast cancer 2 and a half years ago. I had a lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes. My cancer is hormone driven so if I stop Anastrozole I stand a 35% chance of getting it back. I have gradually been getting osteopenia of years so I have decided that certain conditions are inevitable withholding age. I have 2 and a half years of anastrozole and have also been told about an alternative drug. If it helps this is my way of addressing it: I try to be as positive as I can. I look for foods or supplements that can fight the side effects of Anastrozole. I had to stop taking Tumeric which is a wonderful supplement for inflammation and siatica but interacts negatively with Anastrozole. I took Biotin for the thinning of my hair but was told only to use topical Biotin because the actual supplement can effect the results of the cancer antigen test. I have changed my diet free from sugar and my glucose has gone down considerably. The cholesterol is still an issue. Doctor's go both ways on the effects of Anastrozole on cholesterol levels. I have been taking Magnesium Glycinate as advised by the doctor for night sweats. Cherry Tart was also suggested. I take the gummies, for sleep, inflammation and support of muscles. Another thing that has helped me is exercise. Working out has really helped me.
It is so hard to decide what to do since there are so many factors. I decided that I know my own body and I'll keep fighting the Anastrozole for now.
I hope the information I have given you helps in your decision. Keep your spirits up and take care of yourself. Have a blessed day!!

Jump to this post

Hi! Friend of fighting the disease of BC:

Thanks for sharing your information with experience!

Could you please let us know how you conclude that Turmeric supplement would interact negatively with Anastrozole? I also need to take Anastrozole to prevent the recurrence of hormone receptor positive BC, and my oncological surgeon told me that it is OK to continue taking the vitamin supplement of Turmeric.

Thanks again and best wishes for all my comrades in this journey of fighting the disease of cancer!

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1 reply
buckokey | @buckokey | 1 day ago
In reply to @otas "Just a correction:- I was diagnosed with stage 1 estrogen positive lobular breast cancer" + (show)
@otas

Just a correction:-
I was diagnosed with stage 1 estrogen positive lobular breast cancer

Jump to this post

I have the same diagnosis and just started letrozole 2 weeks ago. I’m wondering how long til I, too, notice side effects that are probably not reversible. Have you been offered genetic counseling? I was but trying to figure out if insurance will cover—I got mixed answers from Medicare, and if they don’t cover then supplement won’t pay either. Seems senseless to pay what we do for a supplement if they work in tandem with Medicare and offer no coverage on their own.

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jesusmaryjoseph77 | @jesusmaryjoseph77 | 1 day ago
In reply to @lifetraveler "Hi! Friend of fighting the disease of BC: Thanks for sharing your information with experience! Could..." + (show)
@lifetraveler

Hi! Friend of fighting the disease of BC:

Thanks for sharing your information with experience!

Could you please let us know how you conclude that Turmeric supplement would interact negatively with Anastrozole? I also need to take Anastrozole to prevent the recurrence of hormone receptor positive BC, and my oncological surgeon told me that it is OK to continue taking the vitamin supplement of Turmeric.

Thanks again and best wishes for all my comrades in this journey of fighting the disease of cancer!

Jump to this post

Hey Lifetraveler,

My oncologist and the nurse practitioner said not to take Tumeric with Anastrozole. Also my primary doctor at Baptist Health. They say it has something to do with an herb/hormone reaction. However I have googled it and they say there is no evidence of a negative reaction. The FDA says that too. So many different opinions. Internet does say not to take Tumeric in high doses. It is so hard to tell what is right. I’m going to have to do more research because Tumeric really helped me when I had Sciatica. Keep up the the good journey. 😘

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jesusmaryjoseph77 | @jesusmaryjoseph77 | 1 day ago
In reply to @jesusmaryjoseph77 "I just got blood results from my Primary doctor. My cholesterol went up despite the medication..." + (show)
@jesusmaryjoseph77

I just got blood results from my Primary doctor. My cholesterol went up despite the medication and a good diet for 6 months. She agrees that Anastrozole can cause this. She raised the dose for the cholesterol medicine and said I might want to talk it over with my oncologist which I’ll do in two weeks.
Good luck. If I find a solution I’ll let you know. 😊

Jump to this post

That’s exactly what happen to me. The primary doctor raised my cholesterol meds and said ask the oncologist about it. I saw the nurse practitioner at Mayo and she did think it affected cholesterol levels. Please let me know what your oncologist says. Good luck. 😊

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peggydobbs | @peggydobbs | 21 hours ago

I'm currently taking both anastrozole and Kisqali (ribociclib). My liver values have definitely gone up--not sure about cholesterol. I'm going to try switching to Letrozole and see if that improves my liver values.
While it's true that all AIs & tamoxifen have similar side effects, oddly, you might tolerate exemestane better than anastrozole. Exemestane is a newer drug.

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1 reply
jesusmaryjoseph77 | @jesusmaryjoseph77 | 20 hours ago
In reply to @peggydobbs "I'm currently taking both anastrozole and Kisqali (ribociclib). My liver values have definitely gone up--not sure..." + (show)
@peggydobbs

I'm currently taking both anastrozole and Kisqali (ribociclib). My liver values have definitely gone up--not sure about cholesterol. I'm going to try switching to Letrozole and see if that improves my liver values.
While it's true that all AIs & tamoxifen have similar side effects, oddly, you might tolerate exemestane better than anastrozole. Exemestane is a newer drug.

Jump to this post

Thanks so much Peggy. I will definitely do some research about Exemestane. It’s always good to look at every option we can. Life is precious and so are we. 😘

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