My GP does not take cholesterol tests for me

[Bikester]

I am a Type 1 diabetic since 1974 and now I am in a conflict situation with the medical doctor whom I meet once a year. She refused to order cholesterol tests in the lab for me because I have refused to take statin medication any more, due to some side effects which I got. My normal cholesterol levels are not especially high, acceptable to a healthy person, but because of diabetes the new targets are very low indeed. They are unreachable without large dose of strong medication.
I have used many statin types and the more effective the drug and the amount, the more severe were the side effects. I feel very low now and think that the GP just wanted to show me my place and revenged me. Please, I would appreciate your opintons and advice. I have already changed the doctor, but I would anyhow like to know my cholesterol level.

 

[Daphne917]

@Bikester I’m surprised your GP doesn’t check your cholesterol as part of your annual check. Both my husband and I refused to take any more statins several years ago due to us both having side effects but our GP surgery still does an annual cholesterol check.

 

[lovinglife]

There’s a lot of us who refuse statins, myself included for a time and I can’t recall any member saying that their GP has refused a cholesterol test. I’ve had various reactions to statins in the past, the last one that they tried I’d been on it 3 weeks felt fine, went for follow up blood tests that the GP wanted as it was a new drug for me. They phoned me and told me to stop immediately and they sent me for an emergency liver scan, apparently my liver had a rare reaction and my liver count went through the roof.

Everything was fine but we then decided between us no more statins but I still get the check every year

 

[Rachox]

Both Diabetes UK and the NHS advise yearly cholesterol tests for diabetics. Here are links to both saying so:

Diabetes health checks (annual review)

Diabetes can cause other health problems that can become serious if not picked up and monitored or treated in the early stages. So regular diabetes health checks – sometimes called your yearly or annual review – are part of your routine NHS treatment.

www.diabetes.org.uk

Type 2 diabetes - Going for regular check-ups

Type 2 diabetes check-ups help to make sure your condition does not lead to other health problems.

www.nhs.uk

I hope your new GP will be more helpful than your previous one.

 

[Outlier]

I'm another statin refusenik and my cholesterol is tested every time I have the Hb1Ac test. It's useful to keep an eye on it even if not medicating for it. As this is something your GP refuses to do, how about you have a private test?

 

[Deleted member 527103]

I am yet another statin refusenik who still gets cholesterol checks. I think my GP sees it as repeated opportunity to highlight how I don't fit within those strict targets and need to take extra drugs.

 

[Jaylee]

I had all the gubbins done about a month or so ago..

A DSN phoned to report on a great A1c & Cholesterol levels.
Great I responded “you’ve no need to push statins..”

 

[Chris24Main]

Another statin refusenik here (great term by the way, I may steal that!!)

My GP ties the blood tests together, I'm on a rolling HbA1C and serum lipid test regime, and we have a recurring ...conversation... about statins. Last communication was that "I could still qualify" for statins.. but it was a bit half-hearted, I think I'm wearing her down.

It's all still very controversial, but the body of evidence that supports the opinion that statins are good, is weakening all the time. It's still very difficult to feel sure about it one way or the other, unless you have had a heart attack.

It's totally the wrong way round though, to refuse the test that would aim to show whether you need the drug, unless you take the drug. That, by itself would be enough for me to refuse.

Let us know how you get on with your new GP.

 

[Rachox]

I notice my medical records has ‘statin intolerant’ recorded under allergies! I’ve never taken a statin! My GP and I know I’m not physically intolerant but mentally/intellectually intolerant!

 

[MissMuffett]

I refuse to take statins as well but get asked by my GP if I’d like to take one! He laughs when he asks as he now knows what the answer will be! I still have a cholesterol blood test every year though.
Your doctor sounds like she’s blackmailing you! @Bikester which I think is outrageous

 

[Rokaab]

I refuse to take statins as well but get asked by my GP if I’d like to take one! He laughs when he asks as he now knows what the answer will be! I still have a cholesterol blood test every year though.
Your doctor sounds like she’s blackmailing you! @Bikester which I think is outrageous

I think they probably have to check a checkbox saying they've asked, I know my DN marks it as declined before even mentioning it to me in my annual review - last time between the two of us we came up with 3 or 4 good reasons why I wasnt going to take it

 

[Daphne917]

I refuse to take statins as well but get asked by my GP if I’d like to take one! He laughs when he asks as he now knows what the answer will be! I still have a cholesterol blood test every year though.
Your doctor sounds like she’s blackmailing you! @Bikester which I think is outrageous

What annoys me though is that although both my OH and my cholesterol levels are normal we have to tick the box on travel insurance asking if we’ve ever been advised to take statins thus increasing the premium

 

[MissMuffett]

What annoys me though is that although both my OH and my cholesterol levels are normal we have to tick the box on travel insurance asking if we’ve ever been advised to take statins thus increasing the premium

I would be tempted to tick ’no’ especially if your blood test states normal

 

[lovinglife]

I would be tempted to tick ’no’ especially if your blood test states normal

I wouldn’t recommend doing that, if you need to claim off your insurance for anything and it’s health wise they will ask for your medical records, as soon as they see you’ve “embellished the truth” shall we say then they will just throw your claim out right away without further consideration. Believe me they try to find anything to negate your claim

 

[KennyA]

I have never taken a statin, and probably never will. I don't take them because they would lower my cholesterol.

 

[FinishedWithEngines]

She refused to order cholesterol tests in the lab for me because I have refused to take statin medication any more, due to some side effects which I got.

Maybe your Dr is wanting more money for their GP Surgery? Do a Google search!

NHS bosses currently offer GP practices financial incentives to boost the rate of patients handed the cholesterol-lowering medication. It followed a decrease in prescribing due to controversy surrounding the safety and efficacy of statins.May 22, 2018

 

[KIMRM]

I am a Type 1 diabetic since 1974 and now I am in a conflict situation with the medical doctor whom I meet once a year. She refused to order cholesterol tests in the lab for me because I have refused to take statin medication any more, due to some side effects which I got. My normal cholesterol levels are not especially high, acceptable to a healthy person, but because of diabetes the new targets are very low indeed. They are unreachable without large dose of strong medication.
I have used many statin types and the more effective the drug and the amount, the more severe were the side effects. I feel very low now and think that the GP just wanted to show me my place and revenged me. Please, I would appreciate your opintons and advice. I have already changed the doctor, but I would anyhow like to know my cholesterol level.

Bikester, if you live in Scotland it seems to depend on where you live and what the NHS board’s policy is for that area. My GP too refuses to test my cholesterol level as I am not on statins so I feel obliged to pay privately for my tests.

 

[CottonCutiePies]

When you next see your diabetes team ask them to check it. Normally they expect ha1c yearly so adding cholesterol to that is no biggy for them. As regards to statins I had side effects to them so was prescribed ezetimebe, it's not a statin but works like one. You might consider asking gp for that.

 

[sangeetaparsan]

I notice my medical records has ‘statin intolerant’ recorded under allergies! I’ve never taken a statin! My GP and I know I’m not physically intolerant but mentally/intellectually intolerant!

Your GP is very creative

 

[Daphne917]

I would be tempted to tick ’no’ especially if your blood test states normal

Unfortunately it's not worth taking the risk as if we did have to claim we may have invalidated our policy. It's the same as having to tick the Diabetes box - my hba1c has been normal for the last 10 years and my GP has finally got around to adding that I am in remission on my medical notes but it seems that once your diabetic you're always diabetic regardless.