Tamoxifen and High Cholesterol Triglycerides

nowords

Has anyone had a large increase in triglyceride levels while on tamoxifen?

Were you prescribed meds?

(I have seen some research suggesting that ILC breast cancer cells put out cholesterol that in turn makes the cells tamoxifen resistant....or is it something in the tamoxifen itself that is raising the levels? )

dlb823

nowords ~ I don't know about Tamoxifen raising triglyceride levels, but I do know that both chemo and rads can increase both cholesterol and homocysteine levels, and that they can take a year or even two to return to normal. 

As far as a being RX'd meds, my primary doctor was quite sure the sudden increases in my cholesterol and homocysteine levels were due to bc tx and would go back down.  But she also told me that she would never put a patient on a statin unless their coronary calcium score, which measures the calcium build up in plaque on the walls of our arteries, was also high, because that would indicate a real problem going on.      Deanna

nowords

Deanna,

Thanks for the information. I have a new PCP and I left a msg. for her to call me on how to proceed. I really do not want to add drugs...I am eating so much better than I ever did and exercising...little to no alcohol, no smoking...very frustrating. 

I finished rads in September 09 and Chemo in June 09. I do not see a coronary calcium score on this lab result form so I will have to ask about that.

nowords

I had the triglyceride levels retested and they were lower by 130 points....any sugar a day prior to test can elevate it. A fasting lipoprotein test was 2.5 times higher than normal though.( Could mean very increased risk of stroke or heart attack...I am 10 pounds over ideal weight but do not have factors other than hereditary and tamox. I seem to find conflicting evidence that cholesterol is affected positively and negatively by tamoxifen so I guess I will run it by the Oncologist at my appt. this week. Extreme Diet and exercise changes did not bring anything down much at all, so the PCP thinks it is either hereditary factors or tamoxifen or both. I am already taking fish oil and Vitamin D, COQ10 and supplement for joint pain. 

Does anyone have this issue and did statins help you at all. Did you get side effects from them? I really do not want more drugs...statins for life with the bag of side effects that might come with them just make me cringe...do they work  - really?

Anonymous

tamoxifen is actually known to decrease your cholesterol and triglycerides; it's also good for your bones.

Anne

nowords

That is what I thought also, especially the bones part. ...but there is info on the MAYO web site and my internist that say otherwise...I remain confused!          :}              I did read that there is a risk of increased levels of cholesterol because of decreased estrogen....

 I am not opposed to better living through chemistry but just am not sure how much better the living is with some of it.....the more things I take the worse I seem to feel!

Jelson

It is my understanding that tamoxifen does raise triglycerides - I googled triglycerides tamoxifen and found some studies about it. and that has been my experience:

7/09 Total cholesterol - 203, Triglycerides - 58, HDL - 58, LDL 133

started Tamoxifen 9/09

3/10 Total cholesterol - 181, Triglycerides - 84, HDL - 60, LDL - 104 

now, is Tamoxifen responsible for the 10 lbs I have gained??  big appetite, but I guess I am eating too much healthy food!

Marie-Edith

Hi,

I've always had a good cholesterol level until recently it jumped really high. Now i don't understand as i have improved my diet, eating a lot more fruits and vegs and cutting down on the sugar/fat. I have also started Tamoxifen 1 month ago. So i'm wondering if it's not linked !!   

elimar86861

I'm reviving this thread (too lazy to make new one!) because I have noticed high triglyceride numbers since starting on Tamox. over two years ago.  My cholesterol numbers were fine, just the triglycerides have shot up.  Any more Tamox takers noticed this lately?

voraciousreader

Haven't experienced that issue. Talk to your doctor about extra strength fish oil and/ or Trilipix. Both should get your triglycerides down. Also low glycemic diet. Good luck.

think_positive

A cardiologist told me that Tamoxifen may cause an increase in triglycerides.  My triglycerides have  increased sinced starting Tamoxifen.

elimar86861

I asked for a retest, because although cholesterol can be checked without a fast, a 12-hour fast should really be done for the triglycerides check.  I'm getting another test next week, and then if it still is high, I'll talk to my MO.  I'd be more likely to end the Tamox. early than to go 2 1/2 yrs. with elevated levels, although I can try a few more dietary things first if I need to.

elimar86861

My retest, getting the blood draw after a 12 hour fast, turned out fine and my triglyceride levels fell in the normal range.  Will continue to watch them while on Tamox.