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Statins and diabetes

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Shaun1971

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At risk of diabetes
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Hi,
I've not posted on here for a while as my blood results have remained fairly stable with the latest Habc1 of 44 in December.

The GP has advised me that my cholestrol is a little high and my Qrisk is 12%. Due to the score being over 10% he wants me to take 20mg Atorvastatin.

Some people have suggested this drug may raise blood sugar levels.

Just wondered if anyone has any experience of statins raising their sugar levels?

Thanks a lot.
 
I take a low dose statins and have had no problems at all in raised BG levels as a result - my cholesterol levels are very good but was prescribed them as a matter of course due to my age and Diabetes - everyone is different though and the thread that @Satan’s little helper has posted above is a great one to have a look at regarding this
 
I have declined statins as I don't feel the QRisk score is particularly helpful or takes my particular circumstances into account. My cholesterol is very slightly higher than they like us People With Diuabetes (PWD) to be at 4.5 (they like us under 4) but has been pretty stable around that level since diagnosis 6 years ago and ratios are all good and it was higher before diagnosis. I personally feel I am healthier now than I was before diagnosis, so I don't think I need them. I am not particularly concerned about side effects, I just think that my cholesterol is at a healthy level and I don't currently want to reduce it. If it was higher or my diabetes wasn't well managed, I would reconsider.

Just really wanted to say that you do have a choice, but it should be an informed choice especially if you are going to go against your doctor's advice. They are obliged to offer them when your QRisk is above 10%, but you are not obliged to accept. Do your research and make your own decision..... or accept the doctor's recommendation. Any increase in BG will likely be pretty minimal if any at all. I think it is important to know what the potential side effects are before taking them, so that you know what to be aware of/look out for.

Not wanting to persuade you one way or another, but just wanted you to know that it is your choice.
 
As @rebrascora mentioned, it is your choice whether to start statins.
I would add that it is also your choice to continue them if your decide to try them and find they do not suit you. However, there are quite a few different types so if you experience side effects your GP should be able to prescribe a different type.

And all of that depends whether you start.
I refused them for many years because my diabetes management is pretty good and my cholesterol was below the target rebrascora mentioned but I still had to deal with a “dig” from my consultant at every annual review for more than 10 years.

Even when I decided to take them because my cholesterol crept up, my consultant made a smug comment.
 
@Shaun1971 - just because it's a possible side effect that by no means actually means that you personally will get that. All drugs do have side effects and some people or just one individual might get something happen to them that no-one else in the world has previously reported that seems to be solved by stopping taking that drug. That is because we literally are, all different.
 
trophywench said:
@Shaun1971 - just because it's a possible side effect that by no means actually means that you personally will get that. All drugs do have side effects and some people or just one individual might get something happen to them that no-one else in the world has previously reported that seems to be solved by stopping taking that drug. That is because we literally are, all different.
Click to expand...
I know.
 
mashedupmatt said:
I take a low dose statins and have had no problems at all in raised BG levels as a result - my cholesterol levels are very good but was prescribed them as a matter of course due to my age and Diabetes - everyone is different though and the thread that @Satan’s little helper has posted above is a great one to have a look at regarding this
Click to expand...
Thank you Matt
 
I started on a statin a few years ago because my QRISK tickled over 10% too @Shaun1971

I’ve seen absolutely no impact on my BG levels, or any other side effects. The only noticeable change is that my cholesterol figures are all now in the recommended places.
 
Shaun1971 said:
Hi,
I've not posted on here for a while as my blood results have remained fairly stable with the latest Habc1 of 44 in December.

The GP has advised me that my cholestrol is a little high and my Qrisk is 12%. Due to the score being over 10% he wants me to take 20mg Atorvastatin.

Some people have suggested this drug may raise blood sugar levels.

Just wondered if anyone has any experience of statins raising their sugar levels?

Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Hello
I must admit my statin raise my blood sugar levels only for a short time taken at night but my heart pills in the morning are worse, I’ve just have to increase my insulin slightly and that seems to work .
 
Homer said:
Hello
I must admit my statin raise my blood sugar levels only for a short time taken at night but my heart pills in the morning are worse, I’ve just have to increase my insulin slightly and that seems to work .
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info Homer.
 
mashedupmatt said:
I take a low dose statins and have had no problems at all in raised BG levels as a result - my cholesterol levels are very good but was prescribed them as a matter of course due to my age and Diabetes - everyone is different though and the thread that @Satan’s little helper has posted above is a great one to have a look at regarding this
Click to expand...
Thanks Mashedup
 
I had a call with my Diabetes Consultant earlier in the week. As part of the review we went through the long list of drugs I take and he was very surprised to see i was not taking a Statin. He strongly recommended that for any one over 40 and Type 1 diabetic the benefits are greater than the risks.
 
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