Results are in

[New-journey]

Yay, great results. My GP has ditched having the statin conversation with me these days (finally!) she knows my feelings about them, and agrees my ratios are fine.

Thanks and well done for convincing your doctor, my next step though I am not taking them whatever they say.

 

[Wirrallass]

I am seeing my new consultant on Friday and just rang to get my results. Hb1Ac is 34 or 5.3 and total cholesterol is 5.6 with LDL at 1.9, kidney and liver all good. I was told statins are essential but heard that before and will politely decline them!
A celebration will be happening this weekend, planning it now!

Cobgratulations and well done NJ ~ great numbers ~ your tenacity and determination paid off. Enjoy celebrating xx

 

[Northerner]

Thanks and well done for convincing your doctor, my next step though I am not taking them whatever they say.

I asked a doctor on the last occasion I had the argument to explain his reasoning. This took him aback, and he started mumbling about some old study that had been done on an obscure Chinese tribe that had significantly lower cholesterol and significantly lower levels of cardiovascular disease. I pointed out that I was not, and never had been, a member of an obscure Chinese tribe, and that therefore they no doubt has significantly different genetic and environmental reasons for the low CVD. I also pointed out that cholesterol is vital to life as it is used to form the protective myelin sheath of each and every cell in the body, and could he tell me the level at which the lack of available cholesterol would lead to nervous disorders. When I was on statins for 6 months after diagnosis my cholesterol level went down to 2.3 - the DSN said this was the lowest she had ever seen, and she couldn't answer the question about how low could it go either. My last reading was 4.6, which I am content with. I do accept that some people with particularly high chol levels benefit from statins, but if you're not in that category then the benefits are minimal (out of 100 people on statins, 3 will gain benefit) and the risks of taking such a powerful medication possibly higher.

Just my personal experience, I'm not a doctor but I do need convincing evidence before taking any medication. 🙂

 

[New-journey]

Cobgratulations and well done NJ ~ great numbers ~ your tenacity and determination paid off. Enjoy celebrating xx
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Thanks! I will enjoy celebrating, just got to get through the appointment with my consultant.

 

[New-journey]

I asked a doctor on the last occasion I had the argument to explain his reasoning. This took him aback, and he started mumbling about some old study that had been done on an obscure Chinese tribe that had significantly lower cholesterol and significantly lower levels of cardiovascular disease. I pointed out that I was not, and never had been, a member of an obscure Chinese tribe, and that therefore they no doubt has significantly different genetic and environmental reasons for the low CVD. I also pointed out that cholesterol is vital to life as it is used to form the protective myelin sheath of each and every cell in the body, and could he tell me the level at which the lack of available cholesterol would lead to nervous disorders. When I was on statins for 6 months after diagnosis my cholesterol level went down to 2.3 - the DSN said this was the lowest she had ever seen, and she couldn't answer the question about how low could it go either. My last reading was 4.6, which I am content with. I do accept that some people with particularly high chol levels benefit from statins, but if you're not in that category then the benefits are minimal (out of 100 people on statins, 3 will gain benefit) and the risks of taking such a powerful medication possibly higher.

Just my personal experience, I'm not a doctor but I do need convincing evidence before taking any medication. 🙂

Ha Ha, that is helpful. I will try that and see if mine mentions the Chinese tribe!