Ever since my bypass surgery i have had blood tests that show my blood sugar levels to be increased , I even had a text from GP surgery telling me I was pre diabetic and to join a lifestyle program. My GP was as shocked as I was and ordered another blood test that fell below the pre diabetic level .. then post hip replacement surgery a couple of weeks ago I was asked if I was diabetic, no, but they said there were proteins in my blood ..I’ve had issues with my blood pressure dropping post hip surgery and been told to stop taking my half a 1.25mg tablet of ramipril , I’m on apixaban to prevent blood clots and have felt pretty lousy on it , fatigued , BP down to 98/62, wiped out. Yesterday at a family Sunday lunch I used my brothers blood sugar monitor after eating and it showed a reading of 11.1.. he is diabetic and injects insulin , he said my reading showed I was diabetic 🤦🏼…
Anyone else had any experience of this type of thing ?
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DWizza
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Just found loads of articles /studies that say stations & ACE increase blood sugar and can tip into pre diabetic readings ..
Christina Reith associate Professor at Oxford Population Health and Honorary Consultant in Pharmaceutical Medicine, said ‘This study demonstrates the likely mechanism by which statin therapy increases new cases of diabetes. We have confirmed that this is driven by a very small rise in blood sugar levels, leading some individuals receiving statins to cross over from just below to just above the threshold for diagnosing diabetes.’
David Preiss, Associate Professor at Oxford Population Health and Honorary Consultant in Metabolic Medicine, said ‘Our findings indicate that treatment with statins in routine clinical practice may lead to modest increases in the numbers of patients with diabetes. However, the diabetes-related risks arising from the small changes in worsening blood sugar levels resulting from statins are greatly outweighed by the known benefits of statins on major vascular events when the direct clinical consequences of these outcomes are taken into consideration.’
No, I just googled on a search .. do statins and ACE increase blood sugar levels prediabetes ..
Christina Reith associate Professor at Oxford Population Health and Honorary Consultant in Pharmaceutical Medicine, said ‘This study demonstrates the likely mechanism by which statin therapy increases new cases of diabetes. We have confirmed that this is driven by a very small rise in blood sugar levels, leading some individuals receiving statins to cross over from just below to just above the threshold for diagnosing diabetes.’
David Preiss, Associate Professor at Oxford Population Health and Honorary Consultant in Metabolic Medicine, said ‘Our findings indicate that treatment with statins in routine clinical practice may lead to modest increases in the numbers of patients with diabetes. However, the diabetes-related risks arising from the small changes in worsening blood sugar levels resulting from statins are greatly outweighed by the known benefits of statins on major vascular events when the direct clinical consequences of these outcomes are taken into consideration.’
I am also aware of the possible link between statins and type 2 diabetes. I am just under the threshold of becoming pre-diabetic if my annual Hb1Ac readings are to go by, and I put that down to my advancing years and perhaps statins since I have been on them for over 25 years and the last six at the max dose. However the averaged out results of the last few years do not show a significant deterioration in my situation year on year, only a very small one. So I subscribe to the view of your second quotation ...,the diabetes-related risks arising from the small changes in worsening blood sugar levels resulting from statins are greatly outweighed by the known benefits of statins on major vascular events .... and will just carry on taking statins unless things change for the worse. In your case since your brother is diabetic I wondered if there is perhaps a genetic link. Finally last year my GP practice offered me a place on an online pre-diabetes course which I took up, but quite frankly found a waste of time. All I got over a fortnight was prepared cut and stick answers to my questions in a spasmodic chat room without receiving any proper guidance, and then found there was to a be a long period on my own after which I would be 're-assessed', so I withdrew to give someone else a chance. I hope your course is better
Thanks buddy, I’ve just bought a monitoring kit , will keep an eye on it for a few weeks and see how the readings go before going back to GP for a review ( if needed ).
Just to add another view about the on-line pre-diabetic course. I had thought I was pretty well-informed beforehand, but I learned a lot. I found it really useful. I am now safely below the threshold and keep it that way.
Im sure it won’t suit everyone, but well worth a try (just in case it does suit you).
I had blood test by GP that came back at 41 , then I got the text inviting me to lifestyle program.. GP did another test and it came back 39 , she said I wasnt pre diabetic and carry on .. 🤦🏼
That's about where I am for the last few years. When I raised it with the GP, whose opinion I respect, he said don't worry about it. So I don't, in spite of the subsequent invite to the rubbish online course the practice subsequently suggested! All that did was to offer dietary, body weight and exercise advice most of which I did anyway. I think it was targetted at overweight couch potatoes who have a diet of cola and takeaways!
That sounds exactly like what i envisaged.. My GP told me to carry on back in January .. think I’m getting agitated post surgery and it will go back to normal, but I’m glad I’ve invested in a monitor should there be an issue an possible hereditary issue 👍🏻
I am a diabetic , with a continuous blood glucose monitor, and wonder why I have changing patterns of BG, not actually linked to change in diet, but realise it’s changes in various meds. …either new ones, or change of dose, and confused by having to take a lot of different meds. that might well interact with each other. Just had a ‘double whammy’ one with new med/ change of dose at same time that has made me have to increase insulin by 10%. Simplest way to reduce ‘diabetes’ is lower carbs. and/or add protein ( and healthy fat..perhaps less popular with ‘hearties’) eg swop toast and marmalade breakfast to toast and egg.
Yep, I agree how meds can make a difference now . It’s a chore and dilemma to find the right nutrition , I do well on a med type diet , make my own breads ( no sugar ) , eat lean protein 1.5-2gm per kg bodyweight. I have invested in a blood sugar monitor and will keep an eye on my levels for a few weeks . I’m due to stop the apixabsn on 25th November and see if it has an effect on lowering my blood sugar.. it certainly affected my blood pressure ..
My wife at a GP led healthy lifestyle group spoke to a bloke there. He had a heart attack and was never diabetic. Post statins he's now diabetic. He swears blind it was the statins.
Pre heart attack I was not close to being diabetic, now a year on ( and with even more a healthy diet then before) my latest diabetes HbA1c score shows below the orange bit on the scale.
Lost the heart health game and now it looks like I may lose the diabetes game.
It’s bloody frustrating , I’m going to monitor by sugar levels at home and see whether there is a change . If it’s still high I will get back to GP and my consultant at hospital and ask about alternatives to statins . Im on my 3rd , tried artovastatin and pravastatin, now on 10mg Rosuvastatin.
Statins and beta blockers can increase blood sugar levels as can a change of meds. When I switched to Carvedilol my first blood test showed I was pre-diabetic and pre rheumatism. It's all settled back to normal now.
sadly it has been known for decades that beta-blockers can alter blood glucose levels, yet they continue to be prescribed, along with other cardiac meds which can also do this, with no words of caution or advice
I’m type 1 diabetic, must agree with most comments your blood sugar levels do go high on the meds you are on, I’m on Apixaban , statin and my levels go very high even taking insulin. I must admit you must give a few hours to settle which happens to me, the diabetic nurse is very happy with that, so don’t panic but it’s always good to take smaller portions of food, look up the diabetic uk and that will guide you, give great advice and you can talk to someone. Good luck
Thanks for the reassurance about apixaban, I’ll be glad to stop taking it on 25th Nov, hopefully things go back to normal.. blood pressure and blood sugars 👍🏻
Hi there, I found your clinical problem interesting. I do not like use of abbreviation or acronym. I assume 4Xcabag stands for coronary artery bypass graft involving four blood vessels in the heart. I know you are concerned whether you have sugar diabetes or a pre diabetes. You also mentioned you have proteins in urine. It's important to have a full kidney function test because if there is doubt of diabetes, the kidneys and other organs like back of the eyes will be affected. I strongly advise to have a full investigations of diabetes and get it out of the way. Regards.
I recently had a TAVI (replacement heart valve) before surgery I was in remission for T2 diabetes, bloods went crazy pre and post op and the betablockers were stopped by the surgeon pre op anyway. I won't take statins and I refused meds for diabetes. I got into remission following and NHS Lifestyle clinic and low carb.
That’s great to hear you got into remission Sandra , I will see if anything changes when I stop apixaban in 25th Nov, I will also stop bisoprolol plus look at a heart healthy low carb menu .. any suggestions ?
So many,. With the help of the NHS Lifestyle clinic I followed low carb but also went for more natural fats, full fat milk, butter etc., I can hear everyone saying nooooo it's bad for your heart. I feel better now than I have in years, apart from a dodgy valve my heart is strong and there is no plaque in my arteries. Personally I dropped all the big carbs, all wheat based products, no spuds, no chocolate, no rice, no pasta etc. My Keto Kitchen has some fab recipes, we generally don't eat processed foods anyway, I did start eating salad though. I recorded everything I ate and drank and then checked bloods - I very quickly found out what spiked my bloods so now I don't eat those things. The Lifestyle Clinic is still going and can be found on FB.
Thanks Sandra , It’s a minefield of info for heart health and pre diabetes .. love my carbs , make my own bread but only have a slice at breakfast and with lunch if it’s a soup or make my own pitas for chicken and salad . Now I’ve got the monitor I will do some tests and see if I can identify any triggers . Appreciate your advice 👍🏻
I have been on statins for over a year now. Had my bloods done last week, was surprised at my hba1c level coming back in the prediabetic range. Got a CGM to monitor my glucose level and oh boy it is a wild ride. Despite sticking to a healthy diet, albeit with complex carbs, sugar levels are going up/down like a yoyo. Might have to take this further as I am pretty sure it is caused by the statins. I will do a retest in 1month and see where I am standing.
Thanks for sharing, I fear I’m going to find the same thing. Whats the best thing to do ( I wish we knew ) , follow heart health for diabetic/blood sugar health.. I’d be happy to stop beta & ace , what about stopping statins? I’ve got new pipes , I know the statins help prevent plaque breaking away etc I fear diabetes more than a heart attack… 🤦🏼
Probably wouldnt hurt to get a CGM and see what causes the spikes. For me, it is the oats with Banana, meant to be heart healthy causing the massive spikes. Naan bread the same, white rice/fruit not so much. I fear I will have to cut back on carbs if the problem persists.
Risk/reward - I think the benefit of statins probably outweighs the risk of type 2. All my personal opinion by the way, based on research.
Just received a PalmDoc monitor today , tested about 2 hours after lunch ( thick chicken lentil & veg soup and 2 slices homemade bread , half wholemeal/white flour no sugar) and my reading was 8.1… tested again at 9pm 2 hours after dinner and it’s 6.6 👍🏻 roast chicken , 1 roast potato, roast parsnips , cauliflower, broccoli, peas , carrots, gravy, Will test again when I wake up tomorrow. 👍🏻.. now I’ve got to take apixaban and a statin before bed 🤦🏼
Thats not too bad. Mine goes from fasting 5.7 to 10 in first hour. The back to 6-7ish after 2 hours. It is a proper roller coaster ride. Thats mainly from breakfast having oats. Need to analyse more what is going on, looks high , even if it reverts back to below 7.8 after 2 hours.
Yes.. Atorvastatin can cause blood sugars to rise and indicate pre diabetes. I'm in the same place 18 months post triple CABG.... I eat well, exercise and am not overweight. 🤷
Seems to be a fudge of one size fits all due to statistics, prescribe statins (without concern as to which ones raise blood sugar and tip you into pre diabetes/diabetes) . I fear diabetes more than my cardiac situation .
”Non-diabetic individuals
Studies have shown that rosuvastatin can significantly increase fasting glucose levels in non-diabetic people.
HbA1c levels
Rosuvastatin can significantly increase HbA1c levels in people with normal HbA1c levels.
However, the benefits of taking statins are likely to outweigh the small increased risk of developing diabetes. “
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