Cholesterol unexpected increase

[APC65]

Had cholesterol checked in October and total was 3.2. Was checked again yesterday and it had increased to 4.5... completely shocked as despite Christmas nothing in my diet has changed in months. I take Atorvastatin 40mg daily and for past 12 months my cholesterol has been stable. My only thought was that in October I started to take my atorvastatin in the morning instead of at night as I thought it might be effecting my sleep. Has anyone else experienced a sudden change in cholesterol level or able to offer an alternative explanation?

[JoJoDimm]

Hi APC65 I am on atorvastatin 20mg, only been taking them for a week. I was advised by my doctor to take them in the evening. Being inquisitive I looked up the reason why this is suggested, it said you make more cholesterol at night. Don’t know if this is the sole reason, but could make sense.

[Girlygolfer in reply to JoJoDimm]

Interesting 🤔 I was told to take it at night also. Didn’t ask why at the time - first time ever taking tablets so just went along what I was told.

[Comfycousin1]

I spoke to my Dr yesterday as after a recent heart attack I'm on atorvastatin (in the evening) but the cocktail of meds are causing me night time nausea and it's affecting my sleep.

The dr says to switch to taking them in the mornings because atorvastatin is one of the statins that are slow release and it shouldn't make a difference what time of day you take them.

[APC65 in reply to Comfycousin1]

Hi - thanks. Insomnia and upset tummy at night were reasons why I switched to taking in morning.... But I do think this may have slightly impacted on effectiveness, hence the slight increase in my cholesterol... I can't think of any other reason. I am talking to GP next week so may request switching statin as don't really Want to have to increase dose.

[Comfycousin1]

Did switching to the morning help your nausea/insomnia? I'm suffering badly with thar but it could be one of the other meds I'm taking...

Here is what I read after the GP told me to switch to mornings.

Screenshot

[Bunkular in reply to Comfycousin1]

A study with patients taking simvastatin and atorvastatin showed that simvastatin was best taken at night whereas atorvastatin had no difference: "Simvastatin is probably best taken at night because concentrations of total cholesterol and of low density lipoprotein are significantly greater when it is taken in the morning. Simvastatin is the most widely prescribed statin in the United Kingdom, and this finding has implications for compliance in preventing coronary heart disease. The absence of a similar effect with atorvastatin may be explained by its longer elimination half life."

[Rosie1066]

I’ve been on 40 mgs Atorvastatin for years and have always taken it in the evening as prescribed. Last check it was 3.1

[Happyrosie]

I take mine in the morning having consulted my pharmacist about this.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

According to the article below there are two types of statin, short acting (e.g Simvastastin) and long acting (e.g Atorvastatin). Short acting should be taken at night since that covers the period when most cholesterol is made within the body, long acting can be taken any time but should be taken at the same time each day. I take my Atorvastatin at night.

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

All that said and without knowing what statin you are taking the only way you will find out if taking your statin in the morning has caused your cholesterol to rise unexpectedly is to revert to taking it at night and then wait for your next test.

[APC65]

Hi all - thanks for responding. I take 40mg Atorvastatin - have decided to go back to taking at night instead of morning... See if it total cholesterol comes back down again. If not I guess I'll have to increase dose, which id rather avoid if possible. Has anyone got experience using on cholesterol meter for home testing? Just wondering if worth getting one. GP not keen repeat blood test more than annually, which feels like a long time if your new tubes are at risk of blocking again!

[Comfycousin1 in reply to APC65]

I agree. I didn't know there was a home test meter. I'd be interested to know this.