Statin trap

[Leonora]

I was just able to get my cholesterol breakdown from patient access and found a calculator that someone had posted on this site. I put my figures in and the results came up as ideal or normal. So the question is; why would my doc want to put me on statins. NO THANKS!

 

[Drummer]

My ratios were good ideal or normal when I checked - statins are pushed even before mention of diabetes.

 

[Leonora]

My ratios were good ideal or normal when I checked - statins are pushed even before mention of diabetes.

It really is terrible. There's no heart disease in my huge family and I think that's one of the questions he should have asked or perhaps I should have mentioned. I trust my doctor but in this instance I think he's been won over by big pharma

 

[MeeTooTeeTo]

I was just able to get my cholesterol breakdown from patient access and found a calculator that someone had posted on this site. I put my figures in and the results came up as ideal or normal. So the question is; why would my doc want to put me on statins. NO THANKS!

That’s interesting @Leonora. Was the doc trying to start you on statins or just have you continue using them?
My last tests (a few weeks ago) showed “normal, continue statin” – I never thought any more about it until I read your post.
Dez

 

[Leonora]

That’s interesting @Leonora. Was the doc trying to start you on statins or just have you continue using them?
My last tests (a few weeks ago) showed “normal, continue statin” – I never thought any more about it until I read your post.
Dez

He wanted to start me on low dose statins. Said that my cholesterol was a bit high. Maybe it's high for diabetics because we are considered high risk but normal means normal in my book and I don't see why I should take any more meds.

 

[SueEK]

@Leonora I have been on a statin and aspirin for a couple of years now and although I don’t have a problem would rather not take them. Where was the calculator as I have my latest results, I would very much like to check them, thanks.

 

[Leonora]

I typed in cholesterol in search, read a couple of post and there it was. If you can't find it I'll have a look in a minute, just about to eat a late dinner.

 

[Leonora]

Caution though - some people do have to take them whatever I might think.

 

[MeeTooTeeTo]

Caution though - some people do have to take them whatever I might think.

Yes, I agree with your cautionary note. But this has just got me wondering, that if my results said “normal” why did it not recommend “review with patient” or whatever term they’d use. Seems I don’t get any say in the matter. It is only just recently that I’ve started to question decisions that have been made on my behalf. I’m certainly more informed since registering with this forum.

Dez

 

[Leonora]

http://www.hughcalc.org/chol-si.php

 

[Leonora]

http://www.hughcalc.org/chol-si.php

Not sure if it posted properly. I think though the question might be what your levels were when you were put on them and if they were very high was it the statins that brought them into the normal range. Just a thought.

 

[MeeTooTeeTo]

http://www.hughcalc.org/chol-si.php

LOL That's
Hugh's Mortgage and Financial Calculators
Whoever Hugh is?

an American Mortgage and Financial Loan quotation site.
My results are
Your Total Cholesterol of 3.36 is DESIRABLE

Your LDL of 1.24 is OPTIMAL

Your HDL of 1.65 is OPTIMAL

Your Triglyceride level of 1.02 is NORMAL

RATIOS:

Your Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio is: 2.04 - (preferably under 5.0, ideally under 3.5) IDEAL

Your HDL/LDL ratio is: 1.331 - (preferably over 0.3, ideally over 0.4) IDEAL

Your triglycerides/HDL ratio is: 0.618 - (preferably under 1.74, ideally under 0.87) IDEAL

Whilst their results roughly match the UK NHS standards, I would be a bit wary of non- medical people trying to sell you mortgages/loans based on how healthy you are.
However, I don't have any disagreement with your original post about your doctor's decision re statins without discussion/consultation with yourself.

Dez

 

[Leonora]

LOL That's an American Mortgage and Financial Loan quotation site.
My results are
Your Total Cholesterol of 3.36 is DESIRABLE

Your LDL of 1.24 is OPTIMAL

Your HDL of 1.65 is OPTIMAL

Your Triglyceride level of 1.02 is NORMAL

RATIOS:

Your Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio is: 2.04 - (preferably under 5.0, ideally under 3.5) IDEAL

Your HDL/LDL ratio is: 1.331 - (preferably over 0.3, ideally over 0.4) IDEAL

Your triglycerides/HDL ratio is: 0.618 - (preferably under 1.74, ideally under 0.87) IDEAL

Dez

I don't know the first or last thing about cholesterol but that looks good to me. Perhaps a chat with your doc might be a good idea. Please don't just stop them. None of us are doctors lol

 

[DaveB]

Hi. In the UK, NICE recommends a total of 4mmol for diabetics and 5mmol for non-diabetics which is why most of us are put on them without discussion. The numbers are really just plucked out of thin air which is why it's important to look at the ratios and base any decision on a fasting lipids blood test.

 

[SueEK]

LOL That's
Hugh's Mortgage and Financial Calculators

an American Mortgage and Financial Loan quotation site.
My results are
Your Total Cholesterol of 3.36 is DESIRABLE

Your LDL of 1.24 is OPTIMAL

Your HDL of 1.65 is OPTIMAL

Your Triglyceride level of 1.02 is NORMAL

RATIOS:

Your Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio is: 2.04 - (preferably under 5.0, ideally under 3.5) IDEAL

Your HDL/LDL ratio is: 1.331 - (preferably over 0.3, ideally over 0.4) IDEAL

Your triglycerides/HDL ratio is: 0.618 - (preferably under 1.74, ideally under 0.87) IDEAL

Dez

Exactly the same as mine, thank you @Leonora . I did have a coronary angiogram and they found a small amount of plaque which is why I have a statin and aspirin. I have been referred to diabetes team for ?T1 so will bring it up with them when I see them but very interesting nonetheless. I won’t stop taking them as that would be daft but will def query it. Thanks all

 

[Leonora]

LOL That's
Hugh's Mortgage and Financial Calculators

an American Mortgage and Financial Loan quotation site.
My results are
Your Total Cholesterol of 3.36 is DESIRABLE

Your LDL of 1.24 is OPTIMAL

Your HDL of 1.65 is OPTIMAL

Your Triglyceride level of 1.02 is NORMAL

RATIOS:

Your Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio is: 2.04 - (preferably under 5.0, ideally under 3.5) IDEAL

Your HDL/LDL ratio is: 1.331 - (preferably over 0.3, ideally over 0.4) IDEAL

Your triglycerides/HDL ratio is: 0.618 - (preferably under 1.74, ideally under 0.87) IDEAL

Whilst their results roughly match the UK NHS standards, I would be a bit wary of non- medical people trying to sell you mortgages/loans based on how healthy you are.
However, I don't have any disagreement with your original post about your doctor's decision re statins without discussion/consultation with yourself.

Dez

Hahaha! Yes but it was posted here at Diabetes. Org and used as a guide. None of these things are ever perfect.

 

[leonS]

Statins have other effects as well as changing the levels of cholesterol in the blood, which reduce the risks of cardio vascular disease (CVD).

They are recommended for those with increased risk of CVD. All diabetics are at increased risk.

The question of why should I take this medication (and any medication) should be put to the prescriber.

 

[MeeTooTeeTo]

I don't know the first or last thing about cholesterol but that looks good to me. Perhaps a chat with your doc might be a good idea. Please don't just stop them. None of us are doctors lol

No worries @Leonora. I always do what the doctor ordered! (unless of course if I know they're wrong)

 

[Leonora]

Statins have other effects as well as changing the levels of cholesterol in the blood, which reduce the risks of cardio vascular disease (CVD).

They are recommended for those with increased risk of CVD. All diabetics are at increased risk.

The question of why should I take this medication (and any medication) should be put to the prescriber.

Fair comment.

 

[mikeyB]

As everydayupsanddowns has pointed out elsewhere, these recommendations are made on statistical risk of having a cardiac event or a stroke. Whichever way you look at the numbers, your individual risk is low, not significantly higher than a non-diabetic with a normal cholesterol and BP and you don’t smoke, and your BMI is normalish.

I used to take statins because I was advised to, but I don’t anymore because my diet has changed and my total cholesterol is around 3. For me personally, I reckon it’s a waste of medication. And like you, Leonora, my family don’t die of heart attacks or strokes. Old age, mainly.