Cholesterol statins?

[senco1]

Hi just wanted to seek your thoughts on statins. I have been type 2 one year, plus side lost two and a half stone, htba sugar 5.9, cholesterol 5.8
GP thinking of statins. I have not heard much good press on these and am wary of going down this route. Any body got any thoughts on this please?:
?

 

[StephenM]

5.8 is above ideal for anybody. Have you tried changing your diet - less fat, more fish, more veggies, etc. Oat bran reduces its absortion as well. The target of below 4.0 is probably not possible by dieting but you could ask your GP to let you try for three months If you get below about 4.5 there is no real need for them.

 

[PattiEvans]

Hi just wanted to seek your thoughts on statins. I have been type 2 one year, plus side lost two and a half stone, htba sugar 5.9, cholesterol 5.8
GP thinking of statins. I have not heard much good press on these and am wary of going down this route. Any body got any thoughts on this please?:
?

Senco, no idea of your age or sex, but if you are female and of childbearing age do not take statins. If you are female and past menopause then 5.8 is an ideal level to be.
Stop thinking of cholesterol as poison, it's a very necessary component of your body and the building block of all new cells.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Assessing cholesterol and risk is a thorny issue IMO. Many studies show a clear increased incidence of heart disease in populations with higher cholesterol levels. But other studies, and indeed meta analyses of studies suggest that the picture is far from simple.

Many people take statins without any problem. For those that have clear side effects which stop when they stop taking statins the decision is easier to take. Questions that might help you make up your mind might be ones about family and personal history of heart disease, and also the important splits of your total chol figure. Assessing your own individual risk appears much easier with these additional clues.

 

[Josco]

There is conflicting evidence as to when a person should be taking statins. Ideally your cholesterol would be under 5. I have been taking Rosuvastatin for years without any problems. I would ask your doctor the pros and cons of the one s/he is going to prescribe and why they feel it is necessary at the moment.

 

[senco1]

Thanks everyone very helpful.

 

[DeusXM]

There is also conflicting evidence on what type of diet is actually best for reducing cholesterol. In fact, it has been demonstrated that in people with BMIs over 28, eating oats, bread, potatoes etc actually makes cholesterol worse. While those who reduce their carbohydrate intake and eat far more fat actually improve!

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/Triglycerides_UCM_306029_Article.jsp

People with high triglycerides may need to substitute monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats —such as those found in canola oil, olive oil or liquid margarine — for saturated fats. Substituting carbohydrates for fats may raise triglyceride levels and may decrease HDL ("good") cholesterol in some people.

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=225342

A diet with high levels of carbohydrates increases plasma triglyceride levels and reduces high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, in addition to increasing blood glucose and insulin levels, thereby creating a profile expected to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

 

[Newtothis]

Although my cholesterol isn't too high I have been given 3 months by my DN to try and lower it; my DN has given me a diet plan and I've joined the Loveyourheart campaign; aimed at women and lowering cholesterol...

As tomorrow is the start of a new month; I'm going to give it a go; food swaps; increase in physical activity and most of all I'm going to ensure I have my 5 a day - EVERY DAY....

Will let you know in 3 months time whether I've achieved a decrease...🙂

 

[trophywench]

Did you mean it WAS high, just not THAT high? I hope so LOL