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Consultant wants me to take statins, why ?

M

martinhog

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi, I am currently being seen by the diabetic consultant at my local hospital in an attempt to prevent me having to take insulin. All is going well, however, she has just written to my GP saying I should be taking statins if I am not already on them. Why would this be as my chloresterol levels are ok. I was on statins for a while in 2008 when first diagnosed but was taken off them when my cholesterol levels normalised. What do you think ? , all comments appreciated.
 
There is a policy that everyone at risk of heart disease should be on statins. As diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, this includes people with diabetes.
However, this is based on unfit people and there is no research for active, otherwise healthy people. For example, I was offered statins as I have type 1 diabetes, despite having a healthy bmi and exercise daily. I declined.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi,

Looking at your profile, your a gentleman of a "certain age"... (& so am I.)
Which could be the underlying reason why the statin recommendation?
 
Doesn't make sense does it statins reduce cholesterol your levels are normal why would you need to reduce them.
And low cholesterol only beneficial if cholesterol is actually in a causual relationship with heart disease which a lot of doubt has been thrown on of late.
 
martinhog said:
Hi, I am currently being seen by the diabetic consultant at my local hospital in an attempt to prevent me having to take insulin. All is going well, however, she has just written to my GP saying I should be taking statins if I am not already on them. Why would this be as my chloresterol levels are ok. I was on statins for a while in 2008 when first diagnosed but was taken off them when my cholesterol levels normalised. What do you think ? , all comments appreciated.
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Everytime I go to the local health centre my HP mentions statins. I give them a sheet of paper on which I am tabulating all my test results and targets. The line which shows my qrisk for has always been enough to convince them I am monitoring my cholesterol and heading in the right direction. You can check your personal risk here https://www.qrisk.org/2017/
 
martinhog said:
Hi, I am currently being seen by the diabetic consultant at my local hospital in an attempt to prevent me having to take insulin. All is going well, however, she has just written to my GP saying I should be taking statins if I am not already on them. Why would this be as my chloresterol levels are ok. I was on statins for a while in 2008 when first diagnosed but was taken off them when my cholesterol levels normalised. What do you think ? , all comments appreciated.
Click to expand...
My cardiologist advised the same. They believe some atherosclerosis is due to inflammation and statins help with inflammation, for some.
Atoravastatin gave me pins and needles in forearms and hands and very painful foot cramps. So I agreed with gp to stop them as my cholesterol is low enough.
 
I'm convinced naproxen caused my heart disease not my good levels of cholesterol.
I'm disabled but still walk in pain as love being independant. Walking is the best substitute for statin, I feel.
 
I take them and have done for several years.
Since coming off anti depressants in January my blood pressure and cholesterol have increased.
Cholesterol not massively.
I lead an active lifestyle but don't exercise.
Obviously I can't say do or don't take them but you can try them for a time and see if they make any difference to you bloods and then decide.

Good luck
Tony
 
Guzzler said:
I read recently that statins can raise bg levels but the piece didn't give a source so ta for the link.
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the notes in the packet usually state this. These are the notes for the statins I was prescribed. Search for sugars in the common side effects affects more than 1 in 10 section. Also see references to liver which apparently affects >83% of people with diabetes. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/26450. My qrisk is reducing so I am monitoring my risk along with my hps
 
covknit said:
treferring es in the packet usually state this. These are the notes for the statins I was prescribed. Search for sugars in the common side effects affects more than 1 in 10 section. Also see references to liver which apparently affects >83% of people with diabetes. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/26450. My qrisk is reducing so I am monitoring my risk along with my hps
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Thank you but it was the scientific source I was referring to not the manufacturers information. In an ideal world all data sources would be reliable and trustworthy but I still like to have sources with a view to cross referencing.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Be warned .... it will go up on your birthday!
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oh dear. In the unlikely event I am still mobile I shall have to be careful. I doubt I will make it that far. If I have to become housebound I may as well go for broke, eat whatever I want. be unable to manage my pain or diabetes and get medical intervention. Believe me when I say paracetamol is not a painkiller that alleviates osteoarthritis in anyway.
 
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