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Statins - Atorvastatin

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Slky

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At risk of diabetes
Does Atorvastatin raise sugar level by much?
My hbca1 level is just over at 43 same as it was 12 months ago, but iv had to start statins the same day I found out my sugar is still at 43 so now I'm thinking I'll never get it down with taking statins so now I'm wondering should I knock the statins on the head and try and lower cholesterol 7.1 on my own.
 
When NICE reviewed the evidence their recommendation was to continue to take statins despite the possibility of slightly increased insulin resistance.

Do not stop statins because of an increase in blood glucose level or HbA1c.

www.nice.org.uk www.nice.org.uk

Raised BG levels don’t seem to be one of the major concerns of forum members here who take (or who prefer not to take!) statins.

If you are keen to reduce your cholesterol levels, do you think you could take them for a while and see what happens?
 
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I was thinking of giving myself just another 3 months without statins to see if I can lower it myself then start them if I can't lower it.. I really don't want to be on statins for the rest of my life if I can avoid it.. iv also stopped smoking last week so has far as I'm aware this should lower it!
 
Well done on stopping smoking - there are fewer things that will improve your future health more than that 🙂

Some members have significant effects from reducing their saturated fat intake, and various other dietary changes, but do bear in mind that these things can vary from person to person and others find there is only limited scope for cholesterol reduction via diet.

Hope you find a way to get those numbers moving in a direction you are happy with.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Well done on stopping smoking - there are fewer things that will improve your future health more than that 🙂

Some members have significant effects from reducing their saturated fat intake, and various other dietary changes, but do bear in mind that these things can vary from person to person and others find there is only limited scope for cholesterol reduction via diet.

Hope you find a way to get those numbers moving in a direction you are happy with.
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Thank you.. I will only give myself 3 months like I said if not I will start the statins.
I have lost 2 stone over the last year and I am adamant that I will try harder to lose more over the next few months to get my weight down even more and then see what happens with my hbca1 and cholesterol... with my sugar being just over at 43 I'm hoping I can get this down
 
Good luck with it @Slky 🙂
 
When taking Atorvastatin and Metformin I suffered pretty devastating loss of memory so I would do anything to avoid taking them again. I thought I would have to go into a care home.
 
Hi. Make sure you are taking statins based on your various blood test lipids ratios and not simply the Total as the ratios are a better measure. Not all GPs understand that. Don't have a statin dose beyond needed to get good test readings as the body needs cholesterol for repairs and going too low can be as harmful as too high. I'm lucky and can tolerate statins with no problems but my wife had serious liver issues within days so see how you go. You will see small increase in BS.
 
Slky said:
Does Atorvastatin raise sugar level by much?
My hbca1 level is just over at 43 same as it was 12 months ago, but iv had to start statins the same day I found out my sugar is still at 43 so now I'm thinking I'll never get it down with taking statins so now I'm wondering should I knock the statins on the head and try and lower cholesterol 7.1 on my own.
Click to expand...
So you’ve started taking statins and your hba1c hasn’t changed at 43? To me that means statins haven’t affected your sugars as you have the same hba1c before and after.
 
Lucyr said:
So you’ve started taking statins and your hba1c hasn’t changed at 43? To me that means statins haven’t affected your sugars as you have the same hba1c before and after.
Click to expand...
But if Slky has taken other measures like losing weight, to try and improve HbA1c, how do we know whether it would have improved but for the statins? I recently started statins, and my Libre estimate of HbA1c hasn't changed, but…I've increased my morning basal from 5 to 7 units, and my night dose from 2.5 to 3.
 
travellor said:
Ignore ratios.
They are old hat now.
Look at this thread for sensible advice.

Click to expand...
Hi. Thanks for this updated information. As you know this subject has been discussed globally for years and it's not easy to know what is the best advice available and sadly NHS advice is not always the best. I feel sorry for GPs who have to follow it all. I would still stand behind my comment about the total value not being the best measure but your updated information gives more food for thought on the best measure.
 
My cholesterol levels were 7's when I was diagnosed with diabetes type 2 I lowered carbs and upped fats and my cholesterol levels came down to 5's which I am happy with as older lady So I didn't take statins and my cholesterol levels have stayed the same
Carol
 
DaveB said:
Hi. Thanks for this updated information. As you know this subject has been discussed globally for years and it's not easy to know what is the best advice available and sadly NHS advice is not always the best. I feel sorry for GPs who have to follow it all. I would still stand behind my comment about the total value not being the best measure but your updated information gives more food for thought on the best measure.
Click to expand...




I've always found the NHS advice consistent.
They always had limits for cholesterol breakdowns, they did use ratios based on those limits, but that got twisted by those selling books and diets that pushed the actual numbers over the limits, and sold books telling you not to worry, just focus on the ratios.
That has been very well discredited now.
I always focused on the numbers, get those right and the ratios fall into place anyway. But the right numbers are the starting point.
And I'm happy to take statins to do so.
 
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I phoned my sister yesterday. Her husband has been taking statins for around 5 years and is really worrying her - when driving he often signals he'd turning one way and then goes the other, and he gets confused in supermarkets, going the wrong way to get out and various other things which concern her. He is only my age, but he won't be told that there's anything amiss nor what could be causing it.
 
Only took that statin for 3 months, no rise in bg levels no side effects, didn't think would as they are highly researched drug & most people don't.
 
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