Affect of anastrozole on lipids?

[ipi]

Anyone here that have negative side affects on HDL or LDL. My LDL is a little high (109) but HDL is very low (38)....I think. I read that it should be more than 50 in the 60 range? I have not started AI yet but thinking.....

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Higher doses of anastrozole can increase LDL and HDL.

Testosterone doses of over 150 mg/week can decrease HDL.




This is a study using anastrozole in women:

honghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi. 2011 Jul;33(7):520-5.
[Effects of anastrozole on lipid metabolism in Chinese postmenopausal women with breast cancer].


Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anastrozole, a new generation aromatase inhibitor, on the lipid metabolism in postmenopausal Chinese women with early breast cancer, and observe the adverse reactions as well.
METHODS:

Postmenopausal women with early breast cancer patients took anastrozole 1 mg per day. The lipid profiles of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein were assessed before taking the drug, 3 months, 6 months after taking medication, and later once a year, until the end of medication or follow-up. Patients taking lipid-lowering drugs were excluded. The adverse reactions during the process of taking medication was followed-up by telephone.
RESULTS:

Two hundred and eighty-five postmenopausal breast cancer patients took part in the trial from Jan. 2003 to Jun. 2009. All patients had completed primary surgery and demonstrated a postmenopausal status. ER or PR positivity was confirmed by histopathology. Taking the medication from a minimum of one year to a maximum of 5 years, with a median time of 3.61 years. During the medication time, anastrozole significantly increased the levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol after 6 months of treatment, continuing to 5 years, from (3.08 ± 0.90) mmol/L to (3.59 ± 0.59) mmol/L, with a maximal increase of 18.2% higher than that before medication. Anastrozole significantly increased the levels of total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol after 1 years of treatment. Anastrozole significantly reduced the levels of triglycerides after 1 years of treatment. Anastrozole showed no significant effect on serum lipids in the patients with pre-existing hyperlipidemia. A more significant effect on blood lipids was observed in patients aged ≥ 60-years than that in patients less than 60 years of age. The rate of other adverse events were similar to that reported in foreign patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

For the postmenopausal patients with breast cancer, taking anastrozole may lead to an abnormal lipid metabolism. Anastrozole significantly increases the levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and significantly reduces the level of triglycerides. The rate of other adverse events were similar to that reported in foreign patients. it is suggested that the blood lipid levels should be regularly assessed in patients with long-term anastrozole treatment. The rate of other adverse events similar to that reported with foreign patients, and patients tolerate this treatment well.

However, this study only saw increases in HDL:

Comparative effects of anastrozole, tamoxifen alone and in combination on plasma lipids and bone-derived resorption during neoadjuvant therapy in the impact trial

 

[GEORGE TOULIATOS]

exemestane seems more friendly to atheromatic index

 

[Nelson Vergel]

exemestane seems more friendly to atheromatic index

It decreases HDL more than any other estrogen blocker as it acts like an androgen.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

The addition of anastrozole in this study increased heart disease risk (high dose used)

Men’s Heart Disease Partly Due to Low Estrogen - ExcelMale