Going onto letrozole but not postmenopausal

My consultant told me I'm going onto letrozole now, after my lumpectomy (15/1). I questioned this as I have still been having periods & the occasional hot flush. I'd read letrozole is only offered to women who have been through the menopause. So I had to have a blood test to check my hormone levels. This week my breast care nurse rang to say it shows I'm post menopausal! I am 56, had 9 periods in the last year, a bit more spaced out now & irregular but the longest break was around 80 days. I told her this & that I thought you had to have 12 mths without a period to be "in the menopause" & she was saying I'm post! But she just kept saying that was what the results say, very black & white. 

My FSH level was 40 & LH was 31. Shouldn't I be offered a 2nd test rather than just basing it on one? I don't agree with what she has said & I'm concerned that Letrozole might not be the right drug for me. I have booked an appointment with my GP (3wks away) but can she change the drug if need be?

Thank you.

  • Hello Lisann69 and thank you for posting,

    I am sorry to learn that you have breast cancer.

    You are considered to be post-menopause if you have not had a period for 12 months. Blood tests are often not recommended to check FSH levels in women over the age of 45 this is according to NICE guidelines which are written for health professionals.

    If it is possible it might be helpful to speak with the consultant again about your concerns about letrozole, and whether the hormone treatment needs to be changed. Your GP might also be able to talk to your breast specialist on your behalf. Or you might want to think about having a second opinion from another breast specialist, this can be arranged by your breast specialist or GP.

    I hope this helps in some way. If you would like to talk things through with one of the nurses on the helpline the freephone number to call is 0808 800 4040 and we are available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care

    Jemma

  • Thank you so much for your reply Jemma. I did actually end up calling the helpline & received similar advise to what you have said. I do feel very annoyed that I am having to sort this myself. As the nurse on the helpline told me, letrozole won't help me, it would be like taking paracetamol when you don't have a headache!

    I will persevere xx