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Lupron and cholesterol numbers

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Posted 10/17/2020 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know how many of us on Lupron, Eligard, or firmagon deal with lipid panel numbers going the wrong direction. Mine did the second time on Lupron in 2017 for 1 year, I was told to start on a statin but didn't start after reading about some of the side effect and I had just stopped my next Lupron injection.
Restarted Lupron on 3-11-2020 and knowing my cholesterol numbers would probably go up I had blood tests done on the 2nd and 3rd Eligard injections, and had read about Fenofibrate (Tricor) on another support group. This is not like normal high cholesterol since the hormone imbalances that the Lupron causes are doing this. My PCP had never prescribed this before but the local pharmacy did have some on hand. So far no new side effects but I am still working to overcome the Taxotere effects.
9-2-2020 started on Fenofibrate at 145mg once in the a.m. This is not a statin drug.

pre 3 months 6 months 6 weeks of
Lupron Lupron Lupron Fenofibrate
12-27-2019 6-2-2020 9-1-2020 10-15-2020 normal range
Cholesterol 183 191 259 153 0-200
Triglycerides 122 176 269 102 0-150
HDL 54 57 47 58 40-150
LDL 105 99 158 75 0-130
Risk Factor 3.4 3.4 5.5 2.6 3.4-5.0

This has made quite a change, both the Dr. and I were impressed with the Fenofibrate, next Eligard is 11-23-2020, next lipid panel will probably be in February 2021.
Dave
Posted 10/17/2020 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
This did not turn out like the preview showed 6 nice columns, don't know what i did wrong
Posted 10/17/2020 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Side effects from statins (like Lipitor/atorvastatin) are pretty rare.
With respect to taking a statin, an important consideration is whether you have other indications that would warrant such action. And how is your diet; hopefully it is low in saturated fat. Exercise is a must for patients on ADT (Lupron); I am sure you already knew that.
Interesting to read that the Tricor appears to have a positive effect on your lipid panel results. Are there data that show that Tricor will also lower the risk of a heart attack?

Post Edited (Sr Sailor) : 10/17/2020 6:06:16 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/17/2020 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Dave, it’s pretty well known that Lupron can cause cardio issues, and that sort implies to me that it can wreak havoc in some guys, with lipids.
I have a history of issues, not with Cholesterol, but with Triglycerides, part of the Standard lipid panel. I had it more or less under control before I started Luoron. After a 6 month Luoron trip, my Trigkycerides skyrocketed to over 500, which is a scary number, (“normal ref range is under 150). My Dr put me on Vascepa, which along with diet that was “carb conscious” it came down. Vescepa is a relatively new drug and it’s a highly concentrated form of Omega-3. Prior to that , years ago, I had been on a Fenofibrate.

I believe Fenofibrates are primarily used to treat high Tg.

Best advice I can offer is watch your weight and exercise, keep away from bad fats.

I think if I ever have to go back on ADT I’d ask for Firmagon, even though I had a bad reaction to it at the injection site when I first started. Firmagin/Degarelix is thought to have less of an adverse risk profile for cardio issues. I’d rather have a hot belly for a week than worsening of my coronary artery disease
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