Colesterol and statins

[yello]

Basically eat good basic foods, reduce / eliminate the refined carbohydrates, drink less alcohol increase water intake and exercise regularly

True dat, and we probably all know it too. Funny thing is that we don't do it, not on mass anyway. We're our own worst enemies sometimes. Or tell ourselves that the occasional burger/beer 7 nights a week won't hurt. Been there, done that, guilty as charged.

 

[mjr]

You only have to read the leaflet in the box or read this https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/statins/side-effects/ to know that there are lots of potential side effects.

You don't have the box leaflet until after you agree to take them, obtain them and open the box. You need to be pretty assertive to trust an anonymous leaflet over your family doctor and back out then.

The leaflet has been updated many times since I took them, as has the web page, which probably didn't exist back then.

Bat the point is, there are still plenty of people who think statins can't hurt and most of us who suffered problems are imagining things, based on studies that mostly wouldn't allow us to participate anyway (which is arguably correct because deliberately harming patients for research is ethically iffy), and some are doctors.

 

[CXRAndy]

Funny thing is that we don't do it

True, that's the hardest part maintaining the diet, stay away from temptation

 

[mjr]

They do work to lower cholesterol, although I'm in the fairly small minority of people with a mild intolerance for the side effects, so take a combo treatment of low-dose rosuvastatin and ezetimibe. I did not like atorvastatin.

They seem to work for some without problems, but not for others. Whether that's a minority is unclear. Use in people who are physically active seems to have more problems reported, including muscle tightness and cramp, which seems ironic given the recommended lifestyle changes.

 

[classic33]

You actually read the list of side effects? Dunno how drugs are supplied in the UK but here in France you get a forest load of documentation with them, all in small print. I rarely have the time let alone my reading glasses.

They're supplied with a small leaflet with the print around the same size as this, which can make reading them awkward.

But tend to read them, especially if they're new to me. Or there's a change in the supplier.

 

[Wheelspinner]

They seem to work for some without problems, but not for others. Whether that's a minority is unclear. Use in people who are physically active seems to have more problems reported, including muscle tightness and cramp, which seems ironic given the recommended lifestyle changes.

My anecdotal evidence agrees with you - the effects among my friends who take statins suggest it's not a minority. But since almost all of them are in the physically fit and active group it's perhaps not a representative sample of the general population, which by and (very) large is decidedly not either of those things.. :-)

Also disappointing is that fitness and exercise per se are not especially relevant factors in cholesterol levels; heredity and diet are the overwhelmingly significant ones. A healthy and active exercise lifestyle is great for all sorts of reasons, but lowering your cholesterol is not really one of them.

 

[classic33]

They seem to work for some without problems, but not for others. Whether that's a minority is unclear. Use in people who are physically active seems to have more problems reported, including muscle tightness and cramp, which seems ironic given the recommended lifestyle changes.

Maybe it's simply to do with the fact that those who are more physically active are more likely to notice any change, however small, rather than someone who isn't.

 

[CXRAndy]

When you compare the risks of high cholesterol and the risks of high blood sugar (pre/diabetes), the latter comes with far far greater risk of complications and early death

 

[Mo1959]

The problem is the test is too basic. You actually need to find out if it is large or small LDL density particles. The large present no problem, but the small can cause arterial plaque. Personally I would avoid them unless my LDL was sky high and the HDL/Triglyceride ratio was bad too.

 

[mjr]

The problem is the test is too basic. You actually need to find out if it is large or small LDL density particles. The large present no problem, but the small can cause arterial plaque. Personally I would avoid them unless my LDL was sky high and the HDL/Triglyceride ratio was bad too.

If you avoid tests, how would you know if they were sky-high or bad?

 

[CXRAndy]

If you avoid tests, how would you know if they were sky-high or bad?

She means I think avoid taking statins if your ratios are in the normal range

 

[CXRAndy]

Just checked my HDL/triglycerides is 2.0. Which is ok, could be better.

Very few places offer the LDL breakdown between good and bad particles

 

[Mo1959]

If you avoid tests, how would you know if they were sky-high or bad?

I meant I would avoid statins. Just recently had a test and my figures were slightly high. I don’t know the breakdown yet. The doc is doing a follow up phone appointment end of next month to discuss. I will ask her for the breakdown then.

 

[Adam4868]

Anyone used a home cholesterol test/kit ? I've not a clue but was looking to buy one for a family member..saw a few but thought I'd ask.

 

[rualexander]

so I am unsure if I "need" them or if it was just a "oh - he is over xx age and not on statin so he needs to go on them"
or if there was a good (ish) reason

Think it's pretty standard to prescribe a statin for anyone who's had a TIA irrespective of their cholesterol levels.
Statins do more than just lower cholesterol. They can also stabilise existing plaques, and have a protective effect on the arterial lining, etc.