statins and elevated blood sugar (Hba1c) - update

[BlueDays24]

I just had my appointment with the diabetic nurse, after getting the pre diabetic Hba1c blood test result. I told her about having lost 30lbs since heart attack, about my low blood pressure, my cardio protective diet, and my 45minutes of exercise each day. And showed her the Atorvastatin leaflet stating “Common side effect…increases in blood sugar levels”.

She agreed that I have no reason for elevated blood sugar and it is probably caused by the statin. She confirmed that I don’t need to change my diet or increase my exercise level. And she made me an appointment with the GP, to request reducing the statin dose, so saving me the extra stress of trying to make an appointment through the Reception gate-keepers.

I might just treat myself to a small homemade hot cross bun with no butter to celebrate the good news!

[jayjay10000]

Hi there. I like the post you have done. I just had my hba1c checked 12weeks ago and it's still sitting at 40. Iam glad you have mentioned statins and blood sugar levels, I will be keeping a eye on my levels as I have statins to take. To be honest I scared of taking new medication 💊 because in the past I have become ill taking medication 💊. Hope everything goes well.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

It is unfortunate that a statin side effect seems to be pushing you into a pre diabetic state. However, dependant upon the need to manage your lipid profile, if you reduce the statin dose you will increase your cardio risk, and the more you need the statin the greater the risk increase should you reduce the dose. However reducing the statin dose could possibly reduce the diabetes risk. So in the end your discussion with the GP is likely to be a risk balancing exercise, and it will be interesting to hear from your about the outcome, especially since there are other statins to try and other lipid management medication available. In my case, due to age and perhaps a high dose of atorvastatin, in recent years my Hb1Ac readings have sat just under or on the lower limit for pre diabetes, but my old and wise GP whose judgement I trust told me not to worry about it, so I don't.

[BlueDays24 in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

My LDL was only 2.3 before heart attack, and is now 0.9, and I have minor atheroma, typical for my age. My lipid profile was fine before, and is now very low for the bad ones - cardiologist said blood lipid level didn’t cause the heart attack, but statins are part of the standard prescription post-MI regardless whether your lipid profile needs it or not.

My risk of heart attack was insignificant before, and no-one can explain why I had one. The risk of another is now higher as I’ve had one, but lower as I’m on the medications.

Statins not only lower cholesterol synthesis in the liver, but also stabilise plaques, and reduce inflammation - but even the cardiologist said ‘stay on them if you tolerate them’. I don’t think that developing diabetes and liver damage is tolerating a drug.

Maximum Atorvastatin 80mg can reduce cholesterol by 55%, while 40mg reduces it by up to 45%. To my mind, it’s not worth that <10% difference if it causes other medical problems (diabetes increase CVD risk too).

[psethura in reply to BlueDays24]

Hi

With LDL of 2.3, did doctor tell how you could have HA. May i ask the % of blockage. And what could have triggered HA

[BlueDays24 in reply to psethura]

Plaque rupture and 100% blockage of LAD by resulting clot. No idea what triggered plaque rupture.

[psethura in reply to BlueDays24]

Same as yours. No symptoms before. Just one month before event, did calcium score of 4, echo normal, treadmill ecg normal. My cardio says rupture of soft plaque in LAD . 70 to 90% stenosis. Stented. Now my LDL is 26mg/dl, apoB is 47. My only challege is LPa at 191nmol/l. NSTEMI

[psethura in reply to BlueDays24]

im also trying to find what causes rupture of soft plaque

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to psethura]

Approx 10% of heart attacks occur without any permanent blockages of the coronary arteries. A myocardial infarction non obstructive coronary arteries, MINOCA.

[BlueDays24 in reply to Milkfairy]

Is that what I had then? I thought I had ‘obstruction’ from the clot, didn’t realise it meant narrowing from atheroma. I’m still learning new acronyms almost everyday.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to BlueDays24]

A MINOCA occurs when there is no narrowing of the coronary arteries due to atheroma.

The causes of a MINOCA are microvascular dysfunction, coronary vasospasms, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, a piece of plaque breaking off or a blood clot blocking a coronary artery.

I live with vasospastic angina which is caused by transient constrictions of the coronary arteries, coronary vasospasms. My coronary arteries are unobstructed.

I suggest you ask your Cardiology team whether you may have had a MINOCA.

[BlueDays24 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you for your very informative answer. Unfortunately I’ve been signed off from the cardiologist now, so have no-one to ask.

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to BlueDays24]

Why not write to the cardio team who were responsible for your care and ask the question? The worse that can happen is that they decline to provide the information.

[Yellow26]

Hi

Totally agree with the statin on blood sugar levels, I’m a type 1 diabetic and my levels go sky high after taking the statin at night but only for a short period. The diabetic nurse is quite happy to continue as my cholesterol is very low.

[Mentdent]

The guy, an American, says he wishes he’d never coined the term prediabetic. He thinks it’s become thoroughly misunderstood and used in some quarters for over testing and over prescribing.

[Goonerboy6661]

good news, although the hot cross bun if far worse than butter which is perfectly fine if not eat with carbs!