Haven’t posted here in a while. I don’t know how to ask my GP about starting a statin as a preventive or even if it’s right.

[Dshadzz07]

. So tomorrow I have a GP appointment in person I’m from the UK so this is rare😂.

So I’m 22, man, quite overweight, don’t smoke, don’t drink. Known disease hypothyroidism which I know does increase Lp(a) level’s especially how high mines been. But anyhow I sufffer with symptoms that seem heart related but have been pegged to other things by 4 cardiologists and multiple testing.

However I want to be preventative for myself because you know we all want to live a long life and want to start a form of statin even just ezetimibe which has very little side effects to just push my LDL/ApoB down while I then start the Pauling method. But how do I convince my GP like, I don’t know what to say, the best studies to show. Because honestly I’m worried already I have heart disease (I know this is probably anxiety speaking.)

Testing:

2 Heart Echos

1 stress test

1 7 day heart monitor

Probably over 50 ECGs

Lots of bloods taken

A dozen X-rays

1 CTPA for lung clot (very similar to an actual CTCA which showed no calcifications on my conarary arteries! Woo) I’m not a big fan of getting an actual CTCA as they share near enough the exact same MACE as stress tests. Plus even more radiation

Here are my most recent lipids like from a couple days ago.

LDL: 84

ApoB:76

HDL:38 (always low ffs, trying with exercise)

Trigs: 97

Lpa:170nmol

Metabolic markers

A1c: 5

Fasting Blood sugar: 79

Insulin: 8 (tested a while ago)

BP: 115/75

Inflammation:

Hs-crp: 3.2 (I assume due to my autoimmune stuff)

Lp-Pla2: 162 (so pretty ok)

Sorry this has gone on long, like I just want to be preventive about things and if my symptoms are pegged to other things due to testing I still want my heart to be healthy. So any suggestions in what to the GP to start something as I won’t get a referral. Also any more supplements to recommend that have helped lower your Lp(a) a bit. I’m starting my regimen next week.

I’m just so worried I have heart disease now, so much mixed information online.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I remember you posting and getting the all clear eventually for your heart and you seemed more content sorry that is seems the anxiety you have over your heart has come back I am not sure if you had any Counselling ?

It is very rare to get an appointment at the moment with a GP but you have one and you want suggestions on how to convince them to put you on statins

Statins if needed do help but again diet and losing weight are still needed

Also if statins are not needed they can do more harm than good

So I would suggest you put it to them , your reasons why you want to go on them and your reasoning behind why you should be on them and then it will be down to them if they think at this stage they will benefit you are not

I think if you could lose some weight this will help so many issues and also how you are feeling in yourself

Good luck with your appointment and let us know how you get on x

[Dshadzz07 in reply to BeKind28-]

Hey Bekind hope you are well, yeah I’m in therapy, medication has been a mismatch. GP kinda sat with me and like bought it down to a logical level for me that starting one with good lipid levels bar Lp(a) isn’t smart and I’m looking online too much again.

However a thought came to mind (never guess a few hours after my appointment) they have never tested me for asthma. 95% of close family has suffered or do. I get pleuritic chest pains when doing exercise like sharp, burning, stabbing but also tight, cough, breathless. But this could be attributed to being obese too I am down 35lbs overall tho so will get there eventually. But maybe it’s something that I should have thought of and links things together.

[BeKind28- in reply to Dshadzz07]

Hello

I had a feeling they might not agree but at least you know now

Google what can I say as I can be as bad yet it never does us any good

You could have asthma especially if it runs in the family maybe you might be lucky and be able to get a Doctors appointment again and ask the question

Let us know how you get on x

[Coffeelover2]

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng238/...

This is what they will follow. If you have had a cardiac event or you have a risk of one in the next 10 years.

I think at 22 years old and if you haven’t had a confirmed cardiac event, it may be unlikely to get on statins. I’m sure they will suggest lifestyle choices like keeping weight down and eating healthy.

Have you got diabetes or a family history of heart issues?

There is an element of personal choice with statins but I’m sure they will follow guidance

[devonian186]

When you say quite overweight do you mean VERY overweight?

That is a key factor in heart health which probably needs addressing immediately. Is being overweight also meaning you don't get much exercise and don't eat well?

Anxiety seems to be a big factor as well which you need to take control of.

[Dshadzz07 in reply to devonian186]

Yeah I’m very overweight I’d say 100lbs, I don’t really look 100lbs overweight but I am, having hypothyroidism has affected my bodies metabolism a lot. All the biomarkers regarding to being obese are ok but obviously I don’t want to be like this.

Some of the doctors I spoke too and 1 of the cardiologists said the weight it’s self might be causing my symptoms and lifestyle

[devonian186 in reply to Dshadzz07]

That's an awful lot of excess weight to carry. That is the equivalent of carrying around permanently the equivalent of two fully loaded suitcases when you go on holiday.

It must be having an absolutely fundamental effect on your health

Surely its the first thing you need to tackle and all your other problems-real and imaginary-will largely disappear, or can at least be put into perspective and tackled.

[Dshadzz07 in reply to devonian186]

Yeah I see that that and believe that going back a few years I wasn’t like this it really all changed so quickly and maybe these physical are tied to my weight but then I struggle to believe it because you see people 200lbs and 300lbs overweight not complaining of what u feel idk.

I’m in a diet, I’m doing the right things I know.

[Fanfab1]

if I could go back and tell my 22 year old self a key piece of advice it would be eat healthy and move more but above all prevent yourself from getting overweight.

Weight is not always the cause of heart issues (some people still have heart issues regardless) but it increases health risks.

if you’ve been cleared of heart issues and blood tests don’t indicate the need for a statin or there are no risk factors that show they might be a good idea then it is lifestyle that needs to be addressed.

Certainly have the discussion, it may put your mind at rest for now at least.

Change your life now so you reduce the risk of needing a statin later.

Good luck.

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Fanfab1]

Thank you for this I get your point I’m trying to lose weight for so long but get scared thinking the pain I feel is angina stopping me exercising making it harder to lose weight despite being cleared by all these tests.

My cholesterol profile is good by most means just the Lp(a) I feel so afraid about it’s meant to be below 75 mine is 170, just feel it’s ignored and doctors don’t care because there isn’t a medication for it just yet.

[Fanfab1 in reply to Dshadzz07]

I can definitely empathise when there isn’t medication available that can help they don’t always have the answers when we need them but maybe in future,

But in mean time keep going with any little changes that you feel you can make (it might make you feel you’ve achieved something however little) I.e. maybe with what you eat. I can’t exercise so has to be diet and I am sure I read somewhere losing weight is 80% diet, 20% exercise or something along those lines. Can’t out exercise a bad diet. Make small changes here and there to start with.

Good luck with your appointment / discussion - I hope you get some reassurance or some action, whichever they see is appropriate.

[Happyrosie]

just to confirm what’s been said already!

[Lowerfield_no_more]

If your cholesterol profile is within well publicised norms there is little point in taking statins or other similar meds in my view, and your GP is unlikely to prescribe them. However you will be doing yourself a big favour if you follow the usual guidance about maintaining a healthy cholesterol balance and good heart health in general by following the lifestyle recommendations which include diet, exercise, body weight, smoking and alcohol, and this is irrespective of whether you need statins etc or not. And although over the counter statins are available, if you don't need them why take them, but if you do need statins they will be prescribed for you under medical supervision. Finally it is my view that if you need medication it is usually best to take it, but if you don't need it it avoid, especially if you are already taking other medication which may be putting your body under stress such as your liver.

[EMBoy]

I know from my own experience that hypothyroidism can cause high cholesterol, weight gain and heart problems including palpitations and bradycardia. It can also make you feel anxious and generally depressed. When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto's, I was almost in myxoedema crisis and my cholesterol was high. I refused to take statins (too many side effects for my liking) and it dropped back to normal a few months after starting Levoythyroxine treatment. I lost weight and began to feel a lot better fairly quickly. I developed some heart problems later, but don't know if they are linked to my hypothyroidism.

As you don't seem to have any heart disease, I would urge you to get your thyroid treatment sorted out before you think about taking statins or making major lifestyle changes. There is plenty of support and advice on the Thyroid UK forum.

I hope your GP appointment goes well - don't let them fob you off.

[Yumz199725]

Oh wow haven't heard from you in a while sorry to hear your having problems again? Did you talk to GP about counselling or medication for anxiety Im now on meds for that which helps alot. Have they done anymore recent tests or are these the most recent ones you have had? I hope your appointment with GP goes well x

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Yumz199725]

Yeah it’s been hard had some therapy, but the therapist was really dismissive of me I really tried to engage. So I’m back on a different waiting list. Just been cycling through antidepressants 2 so far none have helped sadly.

Yeah most recent tests, other than my trips up the hospital which haven’t been loads but even so all fine. The doctors have said they can’t can’t run anymore, i assume because they believe it’s anxiety(other ok things) and not heart disease and I get there logic

[Yumz199725 in reply to Dshadzz07]

Have you seeked a second opinion? I get why you would think it's heart related anxiety can affect physically aswell as mentally x

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Yumz199725]

Well the 4 cardiologists I’ve seen and A+E doctors and GPs seem all set to say im ok and should be reassured by testing done

[Yumz199725 in reply to Dshadzz07]

Sometimes tests coming back normal isn't reassuring not when you don't feel right in yourself just creates more unanswered questions x

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Yumz199725]

Well exactly but I guess it’s just like they’ve ruled out bad stuff but my brain manifesting symptoms idk