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Pre-Diabetes and Statins

P

Petrus82_

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi everyone,

I’m recently diagnosed with pre-Diabetes. My HBA1C has always been great but I started taking statins in May and now it’s 47. Is there a link between the two? I’ve reduced sugar and carbs. Will I be able to reduce it whilst still on statins?
 
In retrospect I believe my long term use of statins before I ended up with T2 was in part the cause of my diabetes. When my GP finally agreed I could manage without them I saw a small but definite reducton in my glucose levels. So for me there's been a drfinite connection, but eating a low carb diet post diagnosis has been the main reason for reducing my levels.
 
One possible side effect of statins is to increase blood glucose.
As with other side effects, not all people taking statins see that effect. Some (probably the majority) don't seem to get/notice any side effects at all.
I stopped taking them mainly for different reasons, but it did influence my decision.
What you eat, or more accurately what you don't eat, will have a much bigger effect than statins (or steroids).
 
ianf0ster said:
One possible side effect of statins is to increase blood glucose.
As with other side effects, not all people taking statins see that effect. Some (probably the majority) don't seem to get/notice any side effects at all.
I stopped taking them mainly for different reasons, but it did influence my decision.
What you eat, or more accurately what you don't eat, will have a much bigger effect than statins (or steroids).
Click to expand...
That’s very reassuring. Thanks.
 
Robbity said:
In retrospect I believe my long term use of statins before I ended up with T2 was in part the cause of my diabetes. When my GP finally agreed I could manage without them I saw a small but definite reducton in my glucose levels. So for me there's been a drfinite connection, but eating a low carb diet post diagnosis has been the main reason for reducing my levels.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much. Reassuring that I’m not alone.
 
This is interesting to me. I first went on statins nearly three years ago. The dose was increased maybe 12 to 18 months ago? (I can't remember when exactly.)

I wonder if that's what's caused the blood glucose to rise. FBG was measured at 6.0 mmol/l, which caused my GP to warn me about diet and exercise a couple of weeks ago. In recent prior years the annual FBG was in the low 5s - 5.2, 5.3 - not in pre-diabetic range.

My own measures since then show fasting blood glucose (first thing after rising) varying between 4.8 and 6.1, mostly in the high fives (5.6, 5.7) though I've shifted to a fairly low carb diet, but that's only a week and a bit of measurement.

I don't want to stop the statins because they seem to have helped get lipids under control, which hopefully means the arteries won't clog up as quickly. I'll be interested to see if my change of diet can get the blood glucose down to more acceptable levels in the medium term.
 
Robbity said:
In retrospect I believe my long term use of statins before I ended up with T2 was in part the cause of my diabetes. When my GP finally agreed I could manage without them I saw a small but definite reducton in my glucose levels. So for me there's been a drfinite connection, but eating a low carb diet post diagnosis has been the main reason for reducing my levels.
Click to expand...
Sounds entirely possible. My doctor recently increased my Statin from 10mg to 40mg per day because my cholesterol had gone up slightly. Almost certainly as a result of my going on a low carb, high protein/ fat diet. When I asked for a print out of my blood results from my Doctor they actually indicated that it was the HDL (good Cholesterol) that had increased. I notified my Doctor that I would no longer be taking any Statins
 
derekhansen said:
Sounds entirely possible. My doctor recently increased my Statin from 10mg to 40mg per day because my cholesterol had gone up slightly. Almost certainly as a result of my going on a low carb, high protein/ fat diet. When I asked for a print out of my blood results from my Doctor they actually indicated that it was the HDL (good Cholesterol) that had increased. I notified my Doctor that I would no longer be taking any Statins
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I am really torn over this. My cholesterol isn’t awful. It was 6.4 before I started the statins. I’m on a huge 80mg dose of Atorvastatin and never had a high HbA1C until now.
 
Petrus82_ said:
Hi everyone,

I’m recently diagnosed with pre-Diabetes. My HBA1C has always been great but I started taking statins in May and now it’s 47. Is there a link between the two? I’ve reduced sugar and carbs. Will I be able to reduce it whilst still on statins?
Click to expand...
You would find The Clot Thickens by Dr Malcolm Kendrick an interesting read.
Check out his various talks and vids too
 
Petrus82_ said:
I am really torn over this. My cholesterol isn’t awful. It was 6.4 before I started the statins. I’m on a huge 80mg dose of Atorvastatin and never had a high HbA1C until now.
Click to expand...
Totally understand. Everyones body is different and tbh it is probably best to have a full and frank conversation with your Doctor about this.
 
MimT said:
I don't want to stop the statins because they seem to have helped get lipids under control, which hopefully means the arteries won't clog up as quickly. I'll be interested to see if my change of diet can get the blood glucose down to more acceptable levels in the medium term.
Click to expand...

If it helps , I never took much interest in my blood tests beyond doc or receptionist says they are 'Ok'

Post DX I realised how important they were .

Tracked mine back almost 10 years .. horrendous results.

8 years of Eatwell...lipids said I should be dead
8 months of lchf lipids all in good order and ratios almost optimal .

As said, it's a difficult & personal choice re statins.

First thing they offered at dx 5 years back, said no then
Say no now.

I think & hope you'll find the same with your diet change.

Col 1-3 2010-2016
Col 4-6 DX 2018-june 2019.
Nb: trigs showed major drop, personally I think they are the most important measure.
Down from 6 to 1.2

Screenshot_2024-03-02-09-18-26-934-edit_com.google.android.keep.jpg
 
My last cholesterol test came up at 5.8 and I was told most of it was the good stuff but I had a call from my GP last week who said that because I was at high risk of heart attacks and stroke he said I needed to up my medication from 20 mg Simvastatin to 40 mg Artorstatin which would take my risk from 20 % to 15 % .
 
Petrus82_ said:
Hi everyone,

I’m recently diagnosed with pre-Diabetes. My HBA1C has always been great but I started taking statins in May and now it’s 47. Is there a link between the two? I’ve reduced sugar and carbs. Will I be able to reduce it whilst still on statins?
Click to expand...
My hba1c increased from 48 to 54 when I started taking statins. When I stopped taking them due to other side effects it reduced to non diabetic levels where it has stayed for approx 10 years.
 
My HBA1C went up from 42 to 47 18 months after starting 80mg Atovastatin.Started 16 hr fasting 4 months ago and now back in range. Also found Ramapril wasn’t helping either
 
Petrus82_ said:
Hi everyone,

I’m recently diagnosed with pre-Diabetes. My HBA1C has always been great but I started taking statins in May and now it’s 47. Is there a link between the two? I’ve reduced sugar and carbs. Will I be able to reduce it whilst still on statins?
Click to expand...

I has atorvastatin 80mg and had trouble controlling my bg.. sim astatine has less effect.. when I was last with my consultant they suggest 2 alternatives that should have no affect so you can speak to the GP
 
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