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Cholesterol levels and statins

R

rowbo

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Hi there, this is my first post on here and it is on behalf of my husband. He is 35 years old and has been a T1 since he was 6. All of his bloods done at his diabetic review have always been fine (his hba1c needs to come down a bit) and he does not have a problem with his weight - needs to put some on if anything!

He has come home from his review today saying that the dr wants him to start taking Statins. His cholesterol level was 4.5 and i think they want it to be under 4. The dr was really pushing the statins but he is not sure about them. He has heard of bad long term side effects and thinks that once you start then you can't stop taking them. Is this true? Would the Dr be recommending them if his cholesterol level was below 4?

Do any of you take statins? Is there another way? Does it sound like he needs them??

Hope you can help!
:)
 
Hi,
Your husband needs to do his own research and make up his own mind. He also needs to find out what the ratio is between the good and bad.
Don't be pushed into doing anything you don't want.
 
My doctor is constantly trying to push statins on me. My last cholesterol level was 3.9. I'm keen to stay away from statins for as long as possible. Some people do have problems with them; others, however, get by just fine.

How about suggesting he talks to his doctor and agree a target - eg if he can get his levels down to 4 then no statins. If not, can discuss again?
 
Hi,

As mentioned above have him check the ratios. I would not say that a level of 4 is high, the important thing to check is the HDL/LDL ration. For instance my total level is 6.3 but I have high HDL with a good ratio. I tried statins but had hell with them, no end of muscle trouble. In view of the fact that diabetics in general suffer from bad muscle recovery and a higher then normal degree of micro-fractures. I am keeping away from the statin.

But I would double check exactly why he is being given the statin, is he at risk of heart attack? high blood pressures? ...

Frankie
 
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