Ibrance and Letrozole Increasing my Cholesterol

[TeaHoney]

I have been taking Ibrance and Letrozole for approx 3 years. I am healthy and active and lead a healthy lifestyle but my cholesterol levels have skyrocketed. They were never monitored by my oncologist. This came about from getting a new general practitioner. I have been doing some research and have come across sites where rising cholesterol levels are a side effect of these drugs. Now they want to put me on a statin. I do not want to take it. In fact, I am thinking of going off all of the drugs completley. I have no signs of any cancer left but of course nervous to take dramatic steps of leaving Ibrance and Letrozole….maybe a 2- 3 month break to see if my cholesterol can get under control??Any thoughts on this ?

[bikebabe]

I think it may be a letrazole issue so might be worth having a conversation with your oncologist about a different type of hormone blocker. Was it on the relatively high side before treatment? If so It may settle down without needing statins as some side effects do go away. I chose not to take it after first b/c in 2019 because I didn’t want to exacerbate heart issues but then had second unrelated b/c in other breast 18mths later. I ended up on letrazole anyway. And it does the lions share of keeping my mets under control. Cholesterol is above range but not so great that I opted for statins.

[TeaHoney in reply to bikebabe]

Thank you for sharing !

[Discocat]

Hello

I'm on the same meds for about 3.5 yrs.

I'm also active and eat fairly healthy too...but I have elevated cholesterol.

My oncologist has been monitoring it as its borderline for a statin. So far I've managed to bring it down by introducing more cholesterol lowering foods into my diet.

I have oats and bran, lots of veg...Aubergine, Avocado, olives, dark greens, mushrooms especially. I only use olive oil for cooking. I've reduced all fatty items like full fat cheese...I'm mostly vegetarian with the occasional fish/seafood dish added. I realised I was having too much cheese and dairy and carbs like pasta. Now I've switched to brown pasta, brown rice alternatives and also have less shellfish and eggs...no butter and I avoid processed items as well and drink about 2 litres of plain water daily plus some large mugs of herbal teas and some green tea too.

I see the onc every 3 months currently...have a meeting on 22nd and will have blood tests before...I'll let you know if there's anymore change.

I've been stable for the last 3yrs although I have extensive bone mets. I personally wouldn't consider reducing or stopping any meds as I understand, from how my oncologist has explained, that once you have MBC you will always have traces of cancer in your system so it's necessary to continue treatments to maintain the situation. I'm finding my symptoms manageable...but for some the side effects are too bad and in these circumstances a drug reduction in the dose concentration can help....and still be just as effective!

Most people reduce the dose of their Ibrance to improve their WBC.

Wishing you all the best

Zoe xx

[TeaHoney in reply to Discocat]

thank you tremendously for your reply. I will

Speak to my oncologist about all of this.

[love2golfwell]

I have had the same issue with letrozole and also had it when I was originally on Arimidex (anastrazole) for 5 years. My cholesterol was never high until I started taking these meds. My oncologists never told me about this side effect. My primary doctor has not suggested a statin but there is no way I would take one. My husband had severe muscle pain on three different statins and I know others who had similar experiences. My husband is actually on Repatha now, which is an injection he can do at home every few weeks. His cholesterol has lowered tremendously without the side effects of traditional statins. I would definitely rather change my diet and do whatever else I could to lower cholesterol than go on another med. Best wishes. Sending hugs and prayers.

[Susan1953]

I have been on ibrance 125 mg and Letrozole for 8 years! I was diagnosed in 2017 with MBC at age 64. No previous cancer diagnosis. I have minimal side effects and lead a normal life. I never had chemo, radiation, or mastectomy. I recently stopped Zometa every 3 months because of new studies that show long term use is not good for bones.

Hope and prayers for all of you fighting MBC.

[Batiksforme in reply to Susan1953]

My oncologist switched me to Prolia. It’s supposed to be better. It’s an injection every 6mo.

[TammyCross]

I didn't have that response to Ibrance or letrozole, or any AIs or targeted therapies. I didn't see that as a side effect, but in retrospect, it could explain slightly elevated cholesterol. Then I went on cancer meds that have an increase in lipids as a primary side effect. I went on a tiny dose of rosuvastatin (5 mg) and it brought it right down. No side effects. Totally worth it. (I did try to bring it down with diet. That was somewhat effective, brought it down by half, but my primary doc said not enough. The effectiveness of the statin was immediate and dramatic.)

[Batiksforme]

I see a naturopath and she has prescribed natural medications for my cholesterol. It’s worked.

[Mimigram]

I switch Letrozole to tamoxifen maybe try that less side effects.. Letrozole also causes bone loss.

[Oberammergaux2]

please do not start a statin with your chemo meds without doing some deep research and checking with your chemo pharmacist! There was a post on this site concerning this issue.

Best wishes!!

[Cocoacandy in reply to Oberammergaux2]

What is the issue with statins with Mets medicines ? I have been on a statin for many years . Oncologist has never mentioned this causing a problem to me . Something else to worry about now .

[wandererwonderer]

Yes, the hormone blockers will raise your cholesterol. BUT, the bigger issue is that your MD's education/opinion is vastly out of date. Heart disease is not caused by high cholesterol, rather it is a problem with inflammation and calcium forming plaques. This is why a CAC scan is used to determine the extent of the disease. What does CAC stand for? Coronary Artery CALCIUM. (Please ladies, stop supplementing with calcium and switch to D3+K2 and Mg for your bones! Your teeth will thank you, too.)

Here's a paper to read up on the problems with The Cholesterol Myth: nutritionaltherapy.com/wp-c...

In addition, you are correct in not wanting to take statins. They are horrific for your health as cholesterol forms the backbone of so many important hormones that your body needs to communicate with itself. It is especially disruptive to mitochondrial function: "The use of statins has been associated with the onset of additional pathological conditions like diabetes and dementia as a result of interference with mitochondrial pathways by various mechanisms..." pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

Listen to your instincts and fire your MDs.

[TeaHoney in reply to wandererwonderer]

I agree with you. My husband and I have had MANY conversations about this as he is also working through a Prostate cancer and was told to take blood pressure and cholesterol reducing meds. I did get the CAC scan and with a score of 57 was told to take the Crestor. Recently I also listened to a wonderful podcast regarding scientific updated cholesterol education and do feel like the MDs do not update their information. Just very quick to push a new drug. Thank you all for this information ! It is priceless.

[Nocillo]

I’ve been on a statin for years and gone through Ibrance, Letrozole, Verzenio, Tamoxifen. I’ve never had an issue with them causing a problem. I would be wary of stopping treatment. Those cancer cells can hide and turn up when you least expect it. I was off all medication for six weeks and my tumor markers increased substantially in that short time.

[Greenfingers1]

Hi

I had bilateral mastectomy 4 years ago this week I have been on letrozole for 4 years . My cholesterol was 4.4 and they wanted to put me on a statin I said no ! I am vegan I do not eat any animal products so it must be letrozole but I only have 1 year left I take plant sterols to keep my cholesterol down and my specialist said I can come off letrozole next year . Try taking a plant sterol before you come off your meds . Try cholesterol lowering spread instead of butter . It’s worth a try and I am sure it will help . Good luck. Norah