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Statin and blood glucose increase.

A

Angie1979

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi. I started taking Atoverstatin about 4 weeks ago not because my cholesterol levels were particularly high but my diabetes team have prescribed the drug as more of a future preventative measure. Since taking the drug my blood sugar levels have increased to a level I've never had before. I'm not back at my diabetes team until March so asked my GP for advice. They have said it is not the statin causing the increase and to discuss further medication with my diabetes team. Dr google has helped me out somewhat and I've read that statins can cause an increase in glucose levels. Has anyone else experienced this. Feeling pretty lowsy with my levels not falling below 12 . ( Type 3c after severe pancreatitis, currently on tablet control only) Too much of a coincidence for it not to be the statin?
 
Angie1979 said:
Hi. I started taking Atoverstatin about 4 weeks ago not because my cholesterol levels were particularly high but my diabetes team have prescribed the drug as more of a future preventative measure. Since taking the drug my blood sugar levels have increased to a level I've never had before. I'm not back at my diabetes team until March so asked my GP for advice. They have said it is not the statin causing the increase and to discuss further medication with my diabetes team. Dr google has helped me out somewhat and I've read that statins can cause an increase in glucose levels. Has anyone else experienced this. Feeling pretty lowsy with my levels not falling below 12 . ( Type 3c after severe pancreatitis, currently on tablet control only) Too much of a coincidence for it not to be the statin?
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I had exactly the same problem, on the same statin as you. My GP too denied any link so I stopped taking them after a fortnight and sent my team a message. Within 48hrs I was back to normal They then admitted that this is listed as a side effect. There are other statins. Some are fat soluble and some water soluble so you might be better on a different one. However I decided not to take them as I felt my cholesterol level of 5.9 didn’t warrant all the side effects, I also had very bad headache, and swollen legs every day that all disappeared as soon as I stopped. Obviously you should inform your GP before stopping a medication in case there are other reasons you need to be on them?
 
Your GP obviously doesn't understand statins. They DO increase blood sugar not by a lot but it's measurable. I take them and I have made some comparison with and without. You should only consider statins if you fasting lipids results show your ratios to be outside of the good area. To take them as a future preventative is typical of the NHS. I would ask for that lipids 'panel' and stop the statins just before so the results show your natural cholesterol. Google for what good ratios of HDL, LDL etc are and use that to make a decision - it's your choice. Get access to your surgeries online system if you haven't already so you can see your results yourself.
 
I had similar issues with Pravostatin which were prescribed ‘because all diabetic should take them’ and didn’t know anything different at the time. As well as other side effects within 6 months my hba1c rose from 48 at diagnosis to 54. I no longer take them and my hba1c has been at normal levels since 2013.
 
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