Being prescribed statins as a preventative measure?

diddly425 said:

I have been a Type 1 diabetic for 42 years. My condition is very well controlled but following a recent cholesterol screening with a result of 4.8 by GP has suggested I begin taking Simvastatin as a preventative measure. I am reluctant to take any unneccessary medication.......Any thoughts or similar experiences ??

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I wouldn't touch them with a long stick. I would tell that Dr to stick the statins where the sun does not shine.

Statins were suggested to me when my own cholesterol went above 4, my consultant thought like yours that they would act as a preventative measure, however my gp disagreed and said as I had very good cholesterol levels and had recently undergone tests for angina that came back all clear it would be of no interest to myself to take them at that present time, when I went back to see my consultant my cholesterol had dropped to below 4 and we agreed to review things at a later date.

All that was 3 years ago and my cholesterol is still under 4 and statins have not been mentioned since, however if my cholesterol levels did start to climb I would certainly consider taking a statin, both my mother and brother took statins and my brothers cholesterol reduced from 9 down to 3,

There is no consensus of opinion regarding statins. Some forum members take them with no side effects, some have stopped taking them because of the side effects, some are undecided and some people are anti statins.
If you search on this forum, top right, for statins you will read a myriad of posts.

diddly425 said:

I have been a Type 1 diabetic for 42 years. My condition is very well controlled but following a recent cholesterol screening with a result of 4.8 by GP has suggested I begin taking Simvastatin as a preventative measure. I am reluctant to take any unnecessary medication.......Any thoughts or similar experiences ??

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That is a reading well within normal guidelines. Ideally, under 5. Mine's 8.2 and that's why I've reluctantly agreed to be put back on them. There's no way I'd take them with that reading. What's going on GP's? It's hard not to believe all the conspiracy stories about statins.

Catherine is correct, the statin jury is still out. I was put on statins as a preventitive measure as over 40 but my cholesterol was fine. I stopped taking them of my own choice. However, if my levels rose and I actually needed them I would take them as I was fortunate enough not to suffer any major side effects apart from some loss of leg strength. Whatever you decide, research it yourself and discuss with your doc.


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There is no point at all in having statins with a level of 4.8 unless you fall into the high risk category e.g. you have a family history of heart disease.

I think you should all take your statins as recommended by the doctor because if you all refuse to take statins my shares in Big Pharma might lose their value .

On insulin over 40 years, few years ago cholesterol 3.8 still prescribed statins.
Was told the aim is to keep the readings as low as possible. Same with BP, so
the drugs companies are making a nice earner out of over prescribing
with backhanders to NHS BigWigs. No mention of lifestyle, exercise or diet.

Daibell said:

There is no point at all in having statins with a level of 4.8 unless you fall into the high risk category e.g. you have a family history of heart disease.

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Even then they only appear to be of use to men between 40 and 60 who have CVD.

Have a look at this thread http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/thr...hed-statins-for-good.55164/page-2#post-511341

I won't take them, you need the cholesterol that you have.

diddly425 said:

No....no history of heart disease. I am only 52 and appreciate I have been diabetic for a long time.....but I'm confused !! lol

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The choice is entirely yours to make whether you take statins or not, these are the recommended target cholesterol levels that people with diabetes should be aiming for:

• Your total cholesterol level should be below 4.0mmol/l.
• LDL levels should be less than 2.0mmol/l.
• HDL levels should be 1.0mmol/l or above in men and 1.2mmol/l or above in women.
• Triglyceride levels should be 1.7mmol/l or less.

Possible side effects - fatigue or general lassitude, feeling of slowing down in thought processes, shambling walk, diminished reflexes, associated clumsiness, pins and needles in both arms, shooting pains in legs. You may not experience any of these, I experienced them all and quit the wretched things before they did serious damage and probably cost me my job. My combined cholesterol count is 5.4 and I don't consider it to be high enough to suffer the side effects. If it gets above 8 as with lunalinda I might consider it. Your cholesterol level is fine, well within normal (that's for normal people of course not abnormal ones like us diabetics). Research seems to show a variation in the level of production and need for cholesterol between individuals and the average is not necessarily useful. I wouldn't want to run the risk of any of the side effects, even if it's only fatigue, if I were you. Look at your diet if needs be and reduce any saturated fats.