• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

diabetes and statins

T

timps

Well-Known Member
Messages
80
Location
Devon
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Dislikes
cruelty in any form
I have been on a low carb diet for around 6 months and have just been told that my cholesterol has gone for 5 to 7,2 in this time so have been put on statins. could anyone out there please tell me if they will put on weight/

I have also been told that I have metabolic syndrome and feel a little bit scared as I know nothing about this, my weight is slowly going up and up. advice would be very welcome from anyone that might have similar conditions.

Third but not least I have an underactive thyroid.

I just feel that everything is all coming at once and do not know what to do with myself.
thank you.
carole
 
I have never put on an ounce since taking statins over 8 years ago. In your case, however, your general health condition may require further consideration in this respect.

Some folks say that they suffer with aches and pains when on statins - try to be a little patient because I feel that my cholesterol has been held at 6 and below for the whole of the time I have been on them.

Good luck.
 
I don't think Statins put weight on you
Was your cholesterol increase HDL or LDL? If it's HDL, that's GOOD!
My Gp wants me taking Statins to proect my blood vessels. My latest total cholesterol [in february] was 4.2
Hana
 
Hi Timps
Some years ago I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, which is the opposite of your condition. At the time I can remember rushing round all the time, even in the middle of the night; I'd find things that really, really didn't need doing, but do them anyway. Shopping, vacuuming, washing, cleaning the kitchen, digging in the garden etc. I lost loads of weight, due to having way too much adrenalin whizzing round in my body. When it got stabilised I put the weight back on.
Perhaps your slow weight gain is due to your hypothyroidism? Might be worth checking out. It must be pretty disheartening to have been doing low carb all this time, for the weight to go back on due to another condition. I've also been on statins for years, and don''t think it's made any difference to my weight.
Good luck in sorting it out!
 
Thank you all so much for your replys it has given me some hope. I will think more positively in the future and will post my progress from time to time.
carole
 
Metabolic syndrome, or "Syndrome X", as it is sometimes called, includes raised cholesterol and raised blood pressure and (I think) also insulin resistance. Almost pre-diabetes, in fact, and thought to be a precursor to heart disease. Don't worry about it too much, you are probably aware of it all already, and doing something about it. Just not under that name. Google it and see what you can find.

Statins don't make you gain weight, so it's worth taking them for a trial period (say 3 months) to see how you get on with them. Keep an eye out for side-effects - many people don't get any, but some do. Read the leaflet in the packet.

Before accepting your statin prescription, ask the doctor for a copy of your full lipid profile, and discuss it with her/him. Your total cholesterol is too high; you need to know the make-up of it for your own information. The following figures are the ones "they" are recommending for diabetics at the moment:

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.

Your Total/HDL ratio should be below 5:1 and preferably around 3.5:1.

My GP doesn't worry about my total cholesterol unless I'm around 6, which I never have been - currently 4.9. He is much more concerned about my Total:HDL ratio, which was 3.1 last time. I personally would not like my Total to be below 4, but what do I know?

LDL and triglycerides are the baddies; they need to be low; HDL needs to be high

It is unusual for someone who is low-carbing not to lose weight, and not to see an improvement in their lipid profile. However, we are all different. How many carbs are you eating every day? If you could give us some idea of your daily diet, we may be able to help a bit more.

Finally - inability to lose weight is a definite sign of underactive thyroid, as is thinning hair, dry skin, lack of energy - I could go on! Are you taking Levothyroxine or any other med for it, and what dose are you on? I have never had a thyroid reading out of the accepted range - my doctor treated the symptoms, and I am now on 100mg (mcg?) of Levothyroxine daily. My blood tests have hardly varied, but I feel better! :lol:

Hope this helps. Good luck with your next visit to the GP. Let us kow how you get on. :D

Viv 8)
 
Back
Top