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Statins for the elderly
- Thread starter MayG
- Start Date
AM1874
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,383
- Location
- West Lancs
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
- Dislikes
- Not much
Hi @MayG .. and welcome
Since joining this forum when I was diagnosed a few weeks ago, the folks here have given me so much info, advice and support that I am now much more confident about the journey ahead. You have joined an extremely welcoming, informative and friendly forum .. so, ask your questions and you can be confident that you will get the answers that you need
.
You will also be contacted shortly by @daisy1 with a wealth of useful information
The dosage for statins is usually 10mg to 100mg per day, depending on the type of statin and the needs of the patient. Patients who begin a statin drug regimen are generally prescribed the low doses, although increased dosages may be given to those who have suffered a heart attack. Different strengths may be given to those needing to lower their LDL cholesterol levels by less than 30 percent as compared to those who need to lower their LDL levels by 30 percent or more.
(information from the Statin Answers website)
Hope this helps
Since joining this forum when I was diagnosed a few weeks ago, the folks here have given me so much info, advice and support that I am now much more confident about the journey ahead. You have joined an extremely welcoming, informative and friendly forum .. so, ask your questions and you can be confident that you will get the answers that you need
.You will also be contacted shortly by @daisy1 with a wealth of useful information
The dosage for statins is usually 10mg to 100mg per day, depending on the type of statin and the needs of the patient. Patients who begin a statin drug regimen are generally prescribed the low doses, although increased dosages may be given to those who have suffered a heart attack. Different strengths may be given to those needing to lower their LDL cholesterol levels by less than 30 percent as compared to those who need to lower their LDL levels by 30 percent or more.
(information from the Statin Answers website)
Hope this helps
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@MayG
Hello May and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information, mentioned above, which we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask more questions when you need to and someone will help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 147,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
Hello May and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information, mentioned above, which we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask more questions when you need to and someone will help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 147,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
- Reduce your carbohydrate intake
- Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
- structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
- self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
- Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
- Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
Resurgam
Master
- Messages
- 10,225
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
The tablets which have affected my memory are Atorvastatin, 20mg - so I don't think it is large doses which are the problem, nor is taking them for extended periods of time.
If you are affected badly by statins then at the end of a month it will have happened.
If you are affected badly by statins then at the end of a month it will have happened.
Resurgam
Master
- Messages
- 10,225
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
I went to read the web site information - when I got to 'patients often forget to take their statins' - I did laugh a bit.
Not a lot though.
Not a lot though.
Daibell
Master
Hi. The best dose should be the minimum you need to keep the lipids ratios in the right range e.g. LDL/HDL etc. Don't worry too much about the total cholesterol. Statins have side effects for some and not others - I'm fine with them. If they give you side effects then consider stopping them and looking for alternatives with the GP.
AM1874
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,383
- Location
- West Lancs
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
- Dislikes
- Not much
Hi @mo53 .. Thanks .. I found the site when I was in "enquiry" mode after being put on 10mg Atorvastatin when I was diagnosed a few weeks ago .. like many (most) folks, I didn't have a clue .. and I was told nothing except that "it's standard practice for T2 diabetics to be given statins" ... hey-ho
Bluetit1802
Legend
When my hubby was on statins he originally had 40g Simvastatin. When he complained about sleepless nights to the GP she changed it to 20g. Atorvastatin. She told him that as Atorvastatin are stronger than Simvastatin it was actually the same dosage of active ingredients. He then took himself off them.
Mr_Pot
Well-Known Member
In my case my GP used the NHS life expectancy calculator and said that as I had a greater than 10% chance of a heart attack in the next 10 years it was an indication that I should be on Statins. I pointed out that the calculator asks "have you got Diabetes" not what type of Diabetes, how long have you had it, are you on medication, what is your HbA1c. I declined the Statins.
Bluetit1802
Legend
The "greater than 10%" isn't anywhere near as bad a we are led to believe. It is 10% of the people with IDENTICAL factors, not 10% of the whole population.
Daibell
Master
The formula is stupid and designed to ensure all the older folk and diabetics are handed statins without a thought. Big Pharma and NHS mindlessness in action I'm afraid. I take them only because my ratios are bad and I've had some cardio investigations. Everyone should verify the actual need with the GP before taking them; it can also affect you travel insurance point scoring.
