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Statin

Sarah69

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,511
Location
Hethersett, Norwich
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Anything healthy!
I’ve had a recent blood test and my cholesterol level is 5.6 is that very high. Dr keeps on about statins but I really don’t want to take anymore tablets!
 
Hi,
I'll link to my recent reply here: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/statin-side-effects.210432/post-2780934
I think the targets for total cholesterol are below 5 for the general population, but below 4 for diabetics (because that's already such a big risk factor for heart disease).
I took a long time to come around myself, but the science convinced me. Now it's just another tablet that takes no more thought than a vitamin.
 
Yes, I’m wondering the same thing on tge linked thread. My cholesterol level was 6 four months ago; just had it retested this morning , so we’ll find out if levels have dropped soon. I’m prediabetic and was told that that number is counted as high , putting my Qrisk (of a cardiac event over the next ten years at about 10%). I think they take a number of different factors into account when calculating it, and apparently a few years ago it wouldn’t have put me into the danger zone but the guidelines have changed. I’d agreed to wait for next week’s results , hoping my levels have sufficiently lowered that I don’t need statins. However, I’ve since found out that both of my brothers are taking them, so suspect it’ll be strongly advised to use them given there may be a familial tendency to high cholesterol. If so, I’ll bow to the inevitable, though hoping to get away with as low a dose as possible. I’d prefer to follow in the footsteps of my super fit Granny, who lived to 102, albeit getting through three pacemakers in the process!
 
Just be advised the statins can raise your BG's and in some people cause chronic muscle pain. I'm not anti-statins per-se, but as with all medications there are pros and cons
 
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