LIPITOR 10 mg and under active thyroid, anyone?

[Wightbaby]

Hi Everybody

As my cholesterol sticks stubbornly around 5, I had finally decided that I really should start taking statins....tonight! Which is 7 days before my next INR check.....I have been very resistant to this for ages.

The Locum GP recently described me as "high risk" so I am thinking I really ought to give them a try.

However, having read AGAIN, the warnings......the leaflet suggests I should talk to my doctor, nurse etc., BEFORE taking them, if I have an Under-active Thyroid (which I do, and take 50 mg Thyroxine a day), so now I am having second thoughts to delay again!

Wondering if I should NOT have been prescribed these......To be honest I am too scared to take them now!

I have Permanent AF and on Bisoprolol 1.5 a day, plus Warfarin, of course.

I am not confident with GP's prescribing at the best of times......!

[BobD Volunteer]

My level is similar and I woudl NEVER take them again voluntarily.

[Wightbaby in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob......I think you know how I feel about all this anyway!

I feel quite well at the moment, and INR's pretty stable...I just don't want to mess it all up.

[Auriculaire in reply to Wightbaby]

I see from your photo that you are female. It is normal for females to have slightly higher cholesterol than men and beneficial. The latest epidemiological studies ( large numbers and I think done in Norway) show that women (especially older ones) with higher than normal cholesterol LIVE LONGER .Their all cause mortality including that from cardiovascular disease is less than that of women with lower cholesterol. My total cholestrol is over 5 and has been for donkey's years and my current GP here in France has never suggested a statin. Higher cholesterol also goes along with hypothyroidism and you are on a very low dose of thyroxine. In my opinion given that there is only one RCT that showed any benefit at all for women of any age taking statins for primary prevention ( not good going given the number of statin trials) it is criminal to prescribe them for us . Also the magic 5 for total cholesterol will include HDL so if you have high HDL ( which they say is good) it will shove the total up. Personally I would resist ,find the epidemiological studies and give printouts to the doctor.

[CDreamer]

I would never take them either and my total cholesterol is usually between 6.2 - 7 - but my ratios are really good 3:1 - my surgery have given up on me.

The evidence about high cholesterol causing MI’s I thought had been debunked? If you have Familial High Chotesterol then maybe but pushing them at a score of 5??!! What are your ratio of HDL:LDL? What are your triglycerides? Get a break down on your blood results as they will give you far more information about the state of you overall health.

Don’t forget that these numbers are based on statistical averages - I’ve had high cholesterol all my life but I know my arteries are absolutely clear.

Join the Statins HU forum for more detailed advice.

[Wightbaby in reply to CDreamer]

Statins HU? Had never heard of that!! Thank you so much...I certainly will!

NO FHC as far as i know.

They were 5.4 this time, but I had been on holiday and not been so, let's say, "good"

(ahem! Fish and chips at Mallaig...which was SUCH a treat!).

HDL 3.81 LDL 3.57. BP 112/75. Recent Echocardiogram showed 67-75 hpm.

Leaky Mitral valve is low to moderate and not got any worse.

Weight just under 9 stone.

What is your AF status and age, if you see what I mean?

PM me if you are coy about this...ha ha!

[Auriculaire in reply to Wightbaby]

Where does your "high risk" come from?

[Wightbaby in reply to Auriculaire]

I think its the CHAD score thingy

I had a blood clot in my arm........6 years ago yesterday, strangely enough.......BUT this was because i was only taking one aspirin a day!!!

[Auriculaire in reply to Wightbaby]

That is only for anticoagulation. I doubt it has anything to do with statins. The cholesterol theory of heart disease is dubious to say the least.

[tcpace]

Personally I wouldn't worry about a cholesterol level of about 5. I would worry about taking statins though after my wife's experience. Fortunately she discontinued them before they damaged her body further. Check out Dr Malcolm Kendrick's blog for some down to earth perspectives on cholesterol and related issues.

drmalcolmkendrick.org/

[Wightbaby in reply to tcpace]

Thanks , I will

[Staffsgirl]

I recommend reading The Great Cholesterol Myth by Sinatra and Boden as well as the above recommended GP Malcolm Kendrick’s books.

(A level of 5 would be low for me! )