I think that there is a lot of confusion about the benefits of statins, and who should take them.
There also seems to be a lot of confusions about LDL, HDL and TC, and how the ratios are interpreted.
I used to take my doctors' prescriptions on trust and generally did not fully read the accompanying leaflets. However, I started wondering as to why I was feeling tired all the time, ad muscle cramps and muscle aches and quite severe lower back pain. I had been prescribed statins because my doctor thought I was a high risk case - onset of type2 diabetes.
I found out that my LDL, after taking statins was 4.2 and my HDL 2.2. This gives an assumed healthy ratio of 1.9.
It is mentioned that the ideal ratio should be 3.5 or less; hence my LDL could increase to 7.7 with an HDL of 2.2 to be considered ok.
The leaflet about statins - among others - does mention that one of the side effects is an increase in blood sugar, which could even lead to diabetes or make an existing condition worse.
So, why should I take statins and suffer quite a few side effects, probably accelerate my diabetes?
I have stopped taking them, and will not resume taking them.
The argument that most people over a certain age should be on statins as a preventative medicine - to save the NHS money - is very much led by an Oxford University professor. There are many other voices in the medical profession who do disagree with him.
Any comments?