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Link between statins & increasing risk of diabetes

Posted , 1 user is following.

Sally_66
Sally_66

Hi there, can anyone offer some useful advice to help me through the complete minefield of information concerning statins as either good or bad?

I'm 47 and have recently undergone a total abdominal hysterectomy, prior to which I was on a hormone injection. 5 months on and my cholesterol levels are high and blood glucose showing a pre-diabetes state. I have been working hard to increase my exercise since my surgery and eat healthily. I do have a family history of high cholesterol (mother went on statins in her 50s).

But I'm confused. My GP thinks I should go on statins but I have read these can affect your blood glucose levels - hardly what I need when I'm working to control them to prevent type 2 diabetes! I have also read about other horrible side effects such as joint pain. Having suffered with all sorts of stresses on my back and legs due to a massive fibroid (now gone thankfully) the last thing I want to do is put myself back into that especially if it may inhibit my ability to exercise. I need to exercise so should I be taking a drug that could hinder my ability to? So many contradictions. 

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • sonya10
    sonya10 Sally_66

    Posted

    Hi Sally

    you are right to question the proposed prescribing of statins for you when your blood glucose level is high.

    There have been many studies to show statins do increase risk of type 2 diabetes, so much is the worry that the MHRA ( Medicines & Healthcare products Regulartory Agency) actually produced a report issued to all doctors to please take onboard the risk each patient has of developing diabetes before considering prescribing any Statin.

    In the USA the FDA ( Federal Drugs Agency) also recognises the diabetes risk associated with statins, in fact there are currently lawsuits in process by patients who developed diabetes whilst taking statins.

    So as far as statins being ' good' or ' bad' I have my own opinion re that but if your asking, which I believe you are, " is it safe to take statins with a high blood glucose, at pre diabetic stage?" I would say definitely not.

    hope that helps, 

    i can point you in direction of studies if you'd like? May help convincing your GP the error of their ways 😄

    • Sally_66
      Sally_66 sonya10

      Posted

      Hi Sonya. That was really useful. I am both interested in your opinion on statins and would welcome references to studies on the subject. I read that in addition to statins the hormonal drug I was on also links to increased risk but when I mentioned this to GP she was quick to say they didn't prescribe that, that was my gynaecologist and she had no info on it.
  • sonya10
    sonya10 Sally_66

    Posted

    If there is a problem with any of my links on this forum I'm happy to email you with info. 

    You could simply search Internet, just by typing ' statins causing diabetes' this will show you heaps of information, although I usually limit my reading to actual research and studies.

    • Sally_66
      Sally_66 sonya10

      Posted

      Yes the link worked thanks. Very useful. I don't intend to take anything until I've queried this with the GP who wants to prescribe them. The more I read the more I am baffled as to why she would be prescribing them. I have to book in for a glucose tolerance test. After that we should review.
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