My husband was this morning told he was borderline type 2 - not completely sure what bloods results were but he has been borderline for a while so not totally unexpected. What threw us was his cholesterol was a healthy 4.4 but our GP wants to put him on a statin and an aspirin a day. He trains 4 times a week and is physically healthy - he could probably lose a few pounds but not too over weight. Can anyone explain to me why these medications are needed? Thanks in advance.
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statins & aspirin
- Thread starter mnally
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Northerner
Admin (Retired)
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- Type 1
Hi mnally, welcome to the forum 🙂 It sounds like his GP is one of the school who believes in the 'preventative' qualities of the medicines you mention. I was also put on statins and aspirin when diagnosed, but after researching (and also suffering side-effects from the statins) I decided I did not wish to take either. My cholesterol was similar to your husband's. The general target for people with diabetes is to have a cholesterol level of 4.0 or below, but my consultant is happy for mine to be mid-4s since my 'good' HDL cholesterol is good. I suspect this may also be the case for your husband, since you say he is fit and trains regularly, as exercise does help with this aspect - he should ask the GP for clarification about this.
If you wish to look further into cholesterol, it is worth having a read of The Great Cholesterol Con. Reading this, coupled with the side-effects I was experiencing, plus the low statistical advantage to be gained from taking what is a very powerful drug, I concluded they were not for me. (If 100 people do not take statins then 6 of them may suffer cardio-vascular problems, and if 100 people take them then 3 of them may suffer CV problems - for the remainder it will make not difference).
Similarly for aspirin - there are risks associated with taking them regularly, so I decided I would decline.
This is just my own experience though, it is important to discuss it with yor doctor and be convinced (or otherwise) by them.
If you wish to look further into cholesterol, it is worth having a read of The Great Cholesterol Con. Reading this, coupled with the side-effects I was experiencing, plus the low statistical advantage to be gained from taking what is a very powerful drug, I concluded they were not for me. (If 100 people do not take statins then 6 of them may suffer cardio-vascular problems, and if 100 people take them then 3 of them may suffer CV problems - for the remainder it will make not difference).
Similarly for aspirin - there are risks associated with taking them regularly, so I decided I would decline.
This is just my own experience though, it is important to discuss it with yor doctor and be convinced (or otherwise) by them.
Thanks Northener - its all very confusing. I know the side effects of the statins as I'm on them for the past few years - in fairness my cholesterol level was 8.7 so I think it was fairly essential that something was done! He has an appointment with GP in a months time and in the meantime he's going to cut out as much processed and sugary foods as possible. Hopefully by then he'll feel good, have dropped a few pounds and maybe the cholesterol will have lowered a little bit (what I wouldn't give for his cholesterol result!)
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
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- Type 1
It would be worth looking at his overall carbohydrate intake, not just the more obvious sugary stuff - so, things like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread etc. I'd personally recommend having a look at the GL Diet, which describes a method of selecting and combining food elements that will have a slow and steady impact on blood sugar levels - The GL Diet for Dummies is a good introduction 🙂
Some GPs think that everyone over a certain age ought to be taking statins. 4.4 is pretty good so if he is suggesting statins, he's probably one of these 'statistics show that on balance you will be better off'.'
Well of course the statistics will be favourable if GPs go around prescribing drugs to people who don't need them. It weights the group in favour of healthy people.
Asprin is evil stuff in my opinion, even 1 baby asprin per day. I take one baby asprin every 3 or 4 days because my wife, who works in blood sciences, tells me that asprin stays in the blood 5 to 7 days and the effect is therefore cumulative. If you want, you could take a quarter of a baby asprin per day.
After several years of baby asprin per day, my gums were prone to bleeding whilst brushing my teeth and I would get nose bleeds with a cold. That has all since stopped.
Well of course the statistics will be favourable if GPs go around prescribing drugs to people who don't need them. It weights the group in favour of healthy people.
Asprin is evil stuff in my opinion, even 1 baby asprin per day. I take one baby asprin every 3 or 4 days because my wife, who works in blood sciences, tells me that asprin stays in the blood 5 to 7 days and the effect is therefore cumulative. If you want, you could take a quarter of a baby asprin per day.
After several years of baby asprin per day, my gums were prone to bleeding whilst brushing my teeth and I would get nose bleeds with a cold. That has all since stopped.
Hi
Just thought I'd let you know my "views". I do take a small dose statin (10mg). My total cholesterol has always been good (4.4 last check). But the "good/bad" was round the wrong way since going onto simvastatin when diagnosed it has been the correct way round. You need to check if the ratio is Ok. If it is get hubby to ask doctor if it wasn't for his age would they be having this discussion on whether to take statins?
There is a lot of negative & positive press; studies on whether they should be taken or not; really only down to hubby as to whether he decides to say yes or no.
Unlike Northerner I haven't had any side effects; & like your hubby I exercise not overweight etc.
I do have an inherited T2 come down my late fathers side of family. Older brother also has it. However; on dads side there is also heart diesease; so for me it was a no brainer.
Just thought I'd let you know my "views". I do take a small dose statin (10mg). My total cholesterol has always been good (4.4 last check). But the "good/bad" was round the wrong way since going onto simvastatin when diagnosed it has been the correct way round. You need to check if the ratio is Ok. If it is get hubby to ask doctor if it wasn't for his age would they be having this discussion on whether to take statins?
There is a lot of negative & positive press; studies on whether they should be taken or not; really only down to hubby as to whether he decides to say yes or no.
Unlike Northerner I haven't had any side effects; & like your hubby I exercise not overweight etc.
I do have an inherited T2 come down my late fathers side of family. Older brother also has it. However; on dads side there is also heart diesease; so for me it was a no brainer.
DeusXM
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Another thing to be aware of is that as far back as 1993, Diabetes UK discovered that those who were less likely to have complications after 50 years of diabetes also tended to have higher levels of cholesterol. For some reason, they seem to always overlook this.
Highlander
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I was on Aspirin for several years, but as I also suffer with stomach ulcers have now come off them, most of the time. I am currently taking them for a twelve month period after having stents.
If people get stomach problems it is worth asking the GP for Enteric Coated aspirin. These have a coating on them, which means they disolve further down the gut and tend to avoid problems with ulcers. I am also on Clopidogril which is an alternative to Aspirin.
I have also been on 40mg a day of Atorvastatin for my Cholesterol, which keeps it down to about 3.7 otherwise it would be considerbly higher.
If people get stomach problems it is worth asking the GP for Enteric Coated aspirin. These have a coating on them, which means they disolve further down the gut and tend to avoid problems with ulcers. I am also on Clopidogril which is an alternative to Aspirin.
I have also been on 40mg a day of Atorvastatin for my Cholesterol, which keeps it down to about 3.7 otherwise it would be considerbly higher.
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