When reporting back to my GP what the cardiologist had said at my last appointment, I mentioned that he didn’t want to make any medication changes despite my constant tiredness. She decided to do blood tests just to rule out anything other than the beta-blocker/ACE inhibitor tiredness. And came back to me with results of low Vitamin D, doubled liver enzyme ALT, and elevated Hba1c, to pre diabetic level. I’m now supposed to talk to a diabetic nurse.
As I don’t have any risk factors for diabetes, was fit and healthy before the heart attack, and have been disgustingly clean living since, I’m very sceptical I can suddenly be pre diabetic…and there’s not much scope to improve weight, exercise, diet etc. Instead, in my reading to educate myself online, I’ve been looking at the effect of statins on blood sugar - the Atorvastatin leaflet in the packet actually lists it as a common side effect. I was put on the maximum dose in October, and wouldn’t be at all surprised if that 80mg high-potency statin had caused this blood sugar increase.
So, has anyone else had the same sugar increase after high dose statin? I’m hoping to persuade the GP to reduce my Atorvastatin prescription back to 40mg (the initial dose prescribed by cardiologist) and retest liver function and Hba1c after that. And hopefully see return to normal.
My cholesterol was not high before heart attack, and LDL is now 0.9, so there must be wiggle room to ease off on the statin if that is causing my blood sugar and liver enzymes to go wacky.
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BlueDays24
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I had a similar problem with my liver enzymes as a result of taking Atorvastatin. I had a heart attack whilst on holiday and was admitted to the nearest hospital. They were unfortunately notcoping very well because of Covid and I was kept in for twelve days until I had a stent. During this time I was put on 80 mgs of Atorvastatin and unfortunately during my stay I didn’t have one blood test. I finally had a blood test around four month afterwards and my liver readings were sky high. My dosage was immediately lowered and it took quite a time for it to become normal. However my Gamma GT, two years later is still high.
Hba1c gives an average blood glucose measure of the last 3 months, but skewed towards last 6 weeks of that due to the life span of red blood cells. I’ve been on statins for 5 months, highest possible dose for 4 months, and increased blood sugar is a common statin side effect (according to the statin information leaflet). If statins are known (by drug manufacturers and doctors) to increase blood sugar, why would you say they shouldn’t?
My diet is now very low on saturated fats (<15g), although my cholesterol was normal before heart attack, and I no longer eat any added sugar, only complex carbohydrates. And fruit. I’ve lost 12kg (2 stone) in the 5 months and I wasn’t overweight before. I exercise 45min every day. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink alcohol. I don’t drink any drinks with sugar/sweetener in. There is little I can do in terms of reducing diabetes risk factors as I have none but my age. So it makes no sense that I would actually be pre diabetic.
But then, it makes no sense I had a STEMI with minor atheroma and normal cholesterol, and low blood pressure, and no family history.
I had the same result on 80mg, persuaded them to drop my dose to 40 and am now awaiting the result of a re-test to see if it’s improved the blood sugar or not.
I have a similar story, given 40mg atorvastatin after my CA, my cholesterol was only slightly raised, but it was changed to 80mg several months down the line when a doctor wondered why I was only on 40mg as 80mg was the guideline, 3 months later I was told I was now pre-diabetic, HbA1c at time of CA was normal. Appointment with the diabetic nurse was basically a listening session to what I was not allowed to eat, it's a fairly long list. I've always a very healthy diet as my wife is a nutritionist and she was not at all happy with the new diet regime, over the year my weight plummeted to a very unhealthy level and I was a bag of bones, so much so I had family members and friends asking after my health because of it. My HbA1c went from 43 to 42, hardly conclusive evidence that severe diets work very well. I now follow a much less strict but sensible diet under my wife's guidance, back to a healthy weight, still like to put on another 8 pounds. HbA1c did not rise and not feeling as lethargic.Another new problem after the increase to 80mg Atorvastatin was Peripheral neuropathy, there is a link, but a years waiting list to see a neurologist about that.
I'm type 2, diagnosed 5 years now, I've never been overweight, currently 68kg but never been above 74kg. I don't drink alcohol except for the odd social g&T even then would rather have a cup of tea and I'm physically active work wise and at home. I don't do exercise but I walk my dog and I have a small woodland which I maintain and get my logs from. I eat relatively healthy, it's 15 miles the nearest takeaway so that's not an issue. My only downfall is I like a biscuit with a cup of tea but that's only a couple of rich tea or digestives so in theory I shouldn't be diabetic.
Hello there , yes, me and 4 old schoolfriends all fell into the prediabetic range after being prescribed atorvastatin. Research points to a possible 5% rise in blood sugar when it is prescribed and our experiences would appear to bear this out especially as the other 4 are very healthy eaters! My husband has also been told to stop his atorvastatin as his liver enzymes went very high! We are all different and react differently to drugs, many having no side effects but you are wise to carefully read the prescription inserts and discuss concerns with gp/pharmacist
Yes, post heart attack and quadruple bypass and blood tests showing pre diabetic , I git a text from my GP surgery asking me to join a lifestyle group ! Huge shock . I was already food police 🤣. Got in touch with my GP and she was shocked as well , she couldn’t believe it , she’d had recently seen me and said no way you are pre diabetic, you’d have to gained a lot of weight and you’ve lost weight ( not sure if that shows how little GPs know ). She was adamant I had a false positive test and asked for another test which came back normal. I was taken off artovastatin as I had other issues with it , tried pravastatin and ended up on 10 mg Rosuvastatin. I think all the statins warm that a side effect could be pre diabetes. I make my own bread (low/no salt sugar) and I have cut out condiments containing salts/sugar. I still eat fruits etc . I even bought a monitor that my brother uses (insulin dependent) and my readings are normal . They obviously spike after a meal but return to normal when taken at the right timings post meals .
My liver function went up. I was taking 80mg my doctor wrote to my consultant who reduced it to 40mg . To have blood test in 3 months if liver function is stable will remain on 40mg.
I cut and pasted your comment in my AI program. Wish you luck or you could do what I done, cut my statin tablet in half.
This person raises a valid concern about the potential impact of high-dose atorvastatin (80mg) on blood sugar levels and liver enzymes. There are a few key points to consider:
1. Statins and Blood Sugar: It’s well-documented that statins, especially at higher doses, can cause mild increases in blood sugar and may push some individuals into the prediabetic range. This is noted in medical literature and even in drug leaflets. While the overall cardiovascular benefits of statins generally outweigh this risk, in someone who was previously fit, healthy, and without diabetes risk factors, it’s reasonable to question whether the 80mg dose is necessary.
2. Liver Enzyme Elevation: A moderate rise in ALT can be a side effect of statins. Most mild elevations do not indicate liver damage, but it’s worth monitoring, especially since some people’s liver enzymes return to normal with a lower dose or a switch to a different statin.
3. LDL Already Very Low: With an LDL of 0.9, there might indeed be room to reduce the statin dose while still maintaining protective cardiovascular effects. Many guidelines suggest targeting LDL below 1.8 mmol/L for high-risk patients, and this person is well below that.
4. Alternative Approaches: If the GP is hesitant to reduce the statin dose, alternatives like switching to a different statin (e.g., rosuvastatin, which has a slightly lower diabetes risk) or adding ezetimibe to allow a lower statin dose could be discussed.
5. Vitamin D Deficiency: Low Vitamin D is common in heart patients and might contribute to fatigue. Supplementing could help with energy levels.
6. Diabetic Nurse Consultation: Even if statins are the main cause, it’s still useful to have this discussion. A slight increase in HbA1c might not mean full-blown prediabetes, but regular monitoring is a good idea.
Their plan to request a reduction in dose and retest HbA1c and liver enzymes makes sense. If their cholesterol was not high before the heart attack and their LDL is already exceptionally low, a more tailored approach (rather than a blanket high-dose statin) seems reasonable. It’s worth having that conversation with the GP while weighing cardiovascular protection against potential side effects.
If your liver enzymes are elevated, this needs review in its own right. Mine were seriously raised on 80 mg of Atorvastatin, failed to stabilise on 40 mg but OK now on Pravastatin which has fewer side effects.
I add this comment for people to think about. My wife and I have just got home from a consultant cardiologist appointment. As my wife’s GP has just prescribed a statin because she has reached 75 and ticked a box in the QRisk3 calculator, she asked about statins. Firstly, we were told that the Cholesterol target ranges are higher in the UK than in Europe due to cost considerations. Secondly, he believes clinicians should aim for the lowest cholesterol levels possible to reduce the risk of a stroke to below 10%; eg; he cited LDL should ideally be below 1.4. Finally, he believes that statins should be prescribed to everyone over 40 as they are universally recognised as a cardiac game changer. He takes statins himself even though his cholesterol levels are well within accepted norms.
Clearly, all drugs have contraindications. That said, as I take a statin myself, I would hesitate to reduce the prescribed statin dose without seeking medical advice on which ‘Wolf is closest to the door’ and likely to do me most long-term harm?
After routine bloods my sugar went too high and was told I was Diabetic Type 2. Vitamin D, Folic Acid & B12 were very low. I have been exhausted and sleeping during the day which is a first for me.
I was eating way too much French bread so cut it out and decreased all sugar and now back to normal on sugar level.
I have never thought of Statin causing these issues as I have been on them for 9 years now xx
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