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Confused about cholesterol

D

Diana13

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Can anyone offer advice about cholesterol levels. My diabetic consultant is suggesting that I swap my daily dose of 20mg Simvastatin to 20mg Atorvastatin. My total cholesterol is 4.7, HDL 2.1, LDL 2.4 and triglycerides 0.4, with HDL ratio 2.2. I feel rather reluctant to change as Simvastatin seems to suit me. Any advice?
 
I'm surprised as those levels are pretty good. Artovastatin is said to work more effectively at a lower dose than Sim at a higher dose, are you getting side effects from Simvastatin and this is why they want you to change?
 
My GP transferred me to Atorvastatin last year. They were having a costs review and Atorvastatin is cheaper than Simvastatin and you also need a smaller dose. That is probably why it is cheaper.



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Diana13 said:
Can anyone offer advice about cholesterol levels. My diabetic consultant is suggesting that I swap my daily dose of 20mg Simvastatin to 20mg Atorvastatin. My total cholesterol is 4.7, HDL 2.1, LDL 2.4 and triglycerides 0.4, with HDL ratio 2.2. I feel rather reluctant to change as Simvastatin seems to suit me. Any advice?
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Thanks for your reply noblehead. No, I'm not getting any symptoms to Simvastatin, and I didn't think my levels were too bad - although, maybe the LDL is a bit on the high side, I understand it's recommended it should be under 2. I'm unsure what to do, especially as the doc wants to put me on the same dosage of Atorvastatin (20mg)
 
I've been diabetic for 14 years (type 2 on insulin) but this is the first time I've been on a health forum,so forgive me if I mess up! Thanks for your responses.
 
Diana13 said:
Can anyone offer advice about cholesterol levels. My diabetic consultant is suggesting that I swap my daily dose of 20mg Simvastatin to 20mg Atorvastatin. My total cholesterol is 4.7, HDL 2.1, LDL 2.4 and triglycerides 0.4, with HDL ratio 2.2. I feel rather reluctant to change as Simvastatin seems to suit me. Any advice?
Click to expand...

Are you doing regular exercise? If poosible it is better to control high cholesterol level by controlling diet and exercise. try to reduce statin. If you are taking statin, taking CoQ10 may be beneficial.
 
No, no, no, if simvastatin works so well for you, don't change! If anything, I think your cholesterol is a bit on the low side, but the ratio is excellent.
 
Diana13 said:
Thanks for your reply noblehead. No, I'm not getting any symptoms to Simvastatin, and I didn't think my levels were too bad - although, maybe the LDL is a bit on the high side, I understand it's recommended it should be under 2. I'm unsure what to do, especially as the doc wants to put me on the same dosage of Atorvastatin (20mg)
Click to expand...


Well that's good if your not getting any side-effects Diana. I would discuss with your gp the reasons why they want you to change to Artovastatin and make a decision based on what they say, as I said earlier your levels are pretty good and although ideally your LDL should be under 2 your Trigs are brilliant, here are the target cholesterol levels that they want all diabetics to aim 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
 
I would say stick to Simvastatin if it suits you with no side effects..maybe they do want to change you because the other one is cheaper
I take Simvastatin and have never had any problem with them. Sorry I do not understand the figures you give thats just blinding me with science lol ...your total cholesterol is 4.7, HDL 2.1, LDL 2.4 and triglycerides 0.4, with HDL ratio 2.2.....I have never asked about mine the only thing I know about my cholesterol is it was 5.2 at my last blood test
 
Totto said:
No, no, no, if simvastatin works so well for you, don't change! If anything, I think your cholesterol is a bit on the low side, but the ratio is excellent.
Click to expand...
Thanks to everyone who offered advice, I really appreciate it. I do try and follow a healthy diet and also exercise (maybe not as much as I should but I also have COPD, which doesn't help). I'll talk to my GP about it, but unless he gives me sound reasons for changing I'm going to stick with Simvastatin.
 
AnnieC said:
I would say stick to Simvastatin if it suits you with no side effects..maybe they do want to change you because the other one is cheaper
I take Simvastatin and have never had any problem with them. Sorry I do not understand the figures you give thats just blinding me with science lol ...your total cholesterol is 4.7, HDL 2.1, LDL 2.4 and triglycerides 0.4, with HDL ratio 2.2.....I have never asked about mine the only thing I know about my cholesterol is it was 5.2 at my last blood test
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Annie, all the cholesterol figures are important. You should ask your GP/nurse for a print out of yours each time you have a test.
 
I've given up with statins. My understanding is that GPs get financial incentives for prescribing them. A considerable amount of the research questions the validity of statins. My dad was riddled with cholesterol and died at 94 with a hospital infection. No statins for him and I think that I'll follow in his footsteps. Clearly an individual choice. But if statins increase the risk of diabetes then why do diabetics need statins? I feel that I have enough diabetes without adding more.
 
wizardo said:
I've given up with statins. My understanding is that GPs get financial incentives for prescribing them. A considerable amount of the research questions the validity of statins. My dad was riddled with cholesterol and died at 94 with a hospital infection. No statins for him and I think that I'll follow in his footsteps. Clearly an individual choice. But if statins increase the risk of diabetes then why do diabetics need statins? I feel that I have enough diabetes without adding more.
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They don't all.
Some reduce the risk.
 
I was changed from Simvastatin to Atorvastin as I was having problems with aching muscles. I think I went from 40mg of Simvastatin to 10mg of Atorvastatin so I'm surprised the dose they want you to take is the same


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I was put on Simvastatins at the same time as my diabetes diagnosis in late January. My cholesterol was raised but not by a lot, and my GP said my CVD risk had shot to over 20% because of my diabetes diagnosis so she wanted to see my cholesterol back to normal as quickly as possible. She did say that if my next HbA1c has improved and my cholesterol levels dropped I might be able to come off them.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Annie, all the cholesterol figures are important. You should ask your GP/nurse for a print out of yours each time you have a test.
Click to expand...
Bluetit1802
I am prediabetic so only have fasting blood tests to check my kidney and liver functions and glucose levels once a year and I don't see any diabetic HCP yet
 
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