I had decided to stop taking statins towards the end of February 2014 because of the increasing severe side effects. I had been taking statins for 7.5 years.
Somebody explain to me, as to why GP's mainly look at the Serum Cholerterol - which included 'good HDL', to make an assessment whether one should be offered statins.
I
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ursa
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After having done some research, my HDL of 1.7 is above average, hence, should it increase even further, my Serum cholesterol would be consider worse than it is now (5.2 last test). So, if my HDL became less, my serum cholesterol would reduce and put me into a healthier category. To me, this does not make sense.
My Tric is .9, which is well below average. The tric reading contributes only about 45% of its level to the serum cholesterol calculation though.
My LDL at 3.1 seems to be acceptable.
So, why was my GP worried?
I think they look mainly at the serum cholesterol level, disregarding anything else.
What is important is the overall consideration of an individual's health assessment. The three numbers and many other factors. Food intake control, exercise and enjoy life.
Please go back to your GP or to another GP in the practice and ask for full explanation.
Your cholesterol levels seem absolutely fine to me, your GP seems to have got it all wrong. Cholesterol level guidelines have gone right down in the past few years anyway and interestingly, France has a much higher level whereupon people will be considered for statins - 6.7 total. So I wouldnt worry about your levels and dont take potentially damaging statins if you dont need to.
You need statin as a secondary medication! this is because of your heart procedures. I am afraid, in your case the question of statin controlling cholesterol do not apply.
Please do discuss this with your GP and your consultant.
I had been diagnosed as being in the 'high risk' group in 2006. At that time, my Serum Cholesterol was about 6.9.( I do not have the break down). I did still smoke at the time, but only had mildly raised blood pressure and was NOT type 2 diabetic.
I think the main reason that triggered my assessment as 'high risk' was that I said that my dad had died of a heart attack at the age of 57. I think it was assumed that this was an indicator of potential hereditary heart decease.
My dad was a front line soldier in Stalingrad as a very young man, then some years later he had an almost fatal accident in a slate mine that caused him to have his milt removed. Of course he was stressed out. His own mother died some years after him in her eighties. His father died as a prisoner of war in an Siberian camp, cause of death not known.
I think that the Qrisk assessment process is too rigid.
I developed type 2 diabetes in 2008; it is not conclusive that this was due to statins, but it may be.
My GP increased my dose of statins around November 2013, because 4.4 TC was still considered too high. The following side effects were absolutely horrendous, and I stopped taking statins in March 2014.
My blood pressure had been high before I stopped statins; whether the statins actually contributed to it is inconclusive, but they may have.
On a lower dose of statins I did not actually notice side effects, because I was unaware that they could cause any. I did start to feel rather lethargic and tired and had muscle aches and cramp. At the time, I contributed this to my increasing age.
I had been very physically active for most of my life, but after 2006 I lost interest.
I think that I should never have been given statins. I do not blame the GP's that prescribed them. They are messengers only.
I think that much more training should be given to them.
Statins are a potent drug, yes I can accept that for many people they are a vital life line, but I doubt their use as a preventative drug very much.
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