Hi I have type 1 diabetes and have just been prescribed statins as a precautionary measure to protect me against a stroke or heart attack but I am concerned about the side effects. Is there anyone taking statins in the same situation as me and could you share your experience.
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Taking statins with Type 1 diabetes
- Thread starter Jackieo
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I was offered statin as a precautionary measure because “everyone with diabetes over the age of 40” is offered them.
My consultant then explained there was no evidence they provided any assistance to anyone with a healthy bmi who regularly exercises (all studies are with people who are overweight who do not exercise) so I chose not to take up the offer.
My consultant then explained there was no evidence they provided any assistance to anyone with a healthy bmi who regularly exercises (all studies are with people who are overweight who do not exercise) so I chose not to take up the offer.
Bruce Stephens
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- Type 1
Yes, I was prescribed them (after a discussion) a while ago. Similarly, I don't think there was any particular reason. Maybe slightly high cholesterol, but not the kind of levels that were really of concern. I'm not aware of having had any side effects.
rebrascora
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What are your cholesterol levels like?
As @helli has said, if you are reasonably fit and healthy and I personally do not consider diabetes makes me unhealthy... quite the contrary in fact... and your cholesterol levels are not excessively high, then you should not need statins.
I am fortunate that my health care professionals have not just looked at my cholesterol levels (which are slightly higher than NICE guidance for diabetics at 4.8... they like you to be under 4 as a diabetic) but also the breakdown of the different lipids and because my ratios are good, they are happy for me to continue without statins and have not pushed them at all. I personally feel there should be something wrong with you to require prescribed medication rather than taking it to prevent something which might never be a problem.
As @helli has said, if you are reasonably fit and healthy and I personally do not consider diabetes makes me unhealthy... quite the contrary in fact... and your cholesterol levels are not excessively high, then you should not need statins.
I am fortunate that my health care professionals have not just looked at my cholesterol levels (which are slightly higher than NICE guidance for diabetics at 4.8... they like you to be under 4 as a diabetic) but also the breakdown of the different lipids and because my ratios are good, they are happy for me to continue without statins and have not pushed them at all. I personally feel there should be something wrong with you to require prescribed medication rather than taking it to prevent something which might never be a problem.
nonethewiser
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
After reading around & speaking with Endo started taking statin last year, just 20g dose of Atorvastatin taken on evening. Cholesterol levels before all good & within range, exercise daily & eat mostly healthy foods.
Believe pro's outweigh con's with statins, told they stabilise plaque in arteries so reduce risk & severity of heart attacks & strokes, seen damage done by CVD so would do anything to avoid it happening. 7 months in taking drug no side effects at all but not surprised as majority of people don't experience them, statins have to be one of the most researched drugs in recent years & are considered safe so reassuring for me anyway.
The important thing about statins is to have a full blood lipids profile (full cholesterol test) at one of your reviews so you know what your various ratios are; the total isn't of much use but many GPs/DNs don't understand that. Only have statins if the ratios need improving and only have a dose that corrects the ratios. Reducing your cholesterol too low is as dangerous as it is being too high. Statins shouldn't be treated as sweets or to be offered them because you have diabetes despite what NICE says as it's not based on sound science. I do take a small dose as my ratios weren't good.
Ljc
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- Type 1.5 LADA
I must say I agree with @DaveB , especially about the ratios.
Having said that I have been on Atorvastatin for years and had no problems with them except from one nurse wanting to increase my dose to 40 mg because my total cholesterol was as she put it, a little bit high 4.0 , I refused .
We need cholesterol, not all LDLs are bad and our brain is made of fat.
Having said that I have been on Atorvastatin for years and had no problems with them except from one nurse wanting to increase my dose to 40 mg because my total cholesterol was as she put it, a little bit high 4.0 , I refused .
We need cholesterol, not all LDLs are bad and our brain is made of fat.
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- Type 1
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- He/Him
Statins are very very widely prescribed, and there is good research data to suggest that they can reduce heart attack and stroke risk, alongside a very low incidence of adverse events. The general guidance from experts is for people with T1 over a certain age to take them, because the sorts of glucose variations we will have seen over the years (despite our best efforts!) could have put extra stress on our cardiovascular system.
Unfortunately because of the way some of those data are published, and accusations of a lack of transparency and access to the raw trial data, there are some who raise eyebrows. But there again some people get strong ’adverse reactions’ in the placebo arms of trials. Especially if they know what they are expecting to happen. The mind is a powerful thing!
The relative risk reductions are impressive, but it helps to understand your individual absolute risk... which is all but impossible to be completely sure about when you have T1 as the qrisk calculators don’t really work perfectly.
I am keeping an open mind, and my consultant is happy for me to wait while my Qrisk score is below 10%
We have lots of members here who take statins with no problem at all, and some others who have had very nasty reactions that led them to say ‘never again’.
If you take them and feel you are getting a reaction, you can always swap to another type.
Unfortunately because of the way some of those data are published, and accusations of a lack of transparency and access to the raw trial data, there are some who raise eyebrows. But there again some people get strong ’adverse reactions’ in the placebo arms of trials. Especially if they know what they are expecting to happen. The mind is a powerful thing!
The relative risk reductions are impressive, but it helps to understand your individual absolute risk... which is all but impossible to be completely sure about when you have T1 as the qrisk calculators don’t really work perfectly.
I am keeping an open mind, and my consultant is happy for me to wait while my Qrisk score is below 10%
We have lots of members here who take statins with no problem at all, and some others who have had very nasty reactions that led them to say ‘never again’.
If you take them and feel you are getting a reaction, you can always swap to another type.
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Ivostas66
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I was prescribed them after Type 1 diagnosis 3 years ago. On a dose of 40mg originally, which brought my cholesterol level down from 5.8 to 2.2. I was moved onto a dose of 20mg and am now around 3.5. Never had any side effects. My Nan and Mum were both put on statins years ago due to high cholesterol and they have never had any side effects.
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