Any views or reviews on statins ?
Views on statins: Any views or reviews... - Cholesterol Support
Views on statins
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My view is just that - a view ! When diagnosed with Hashimotos back in 2005 my cholesterol was raised. Lots of reading later I discovered that in the old days before thyroid testing came to pass - that anyone with raised cholesterol had their thyroids treated.
I have read that on ths NHS website it does mention treating the thyroid before starting statins. Therein lies the problem - the correct thyroid testing can only be done privately as the NHS seem to think testing just the TSH is adequate - sadly not - it tells you diddly squat. By not having the correct testing people remain undiagnosed and under treated and so needing a myriad of other treatments including statins in many cases.
I see this is your first post even though you joined several months ago. So from your observations/experiences what are your views ?
Marz, how do we go about getting private testing done? What do I need to look for please? My daughter has all the symptoms and a swollen neck but doctor said tests suggest it’s her parathyroid, nothing else has been suggested now so any clues would be great. Thanks
There are on-line companies that do the correct testing for thyroid and are detailed on the website below ...
Click onto About Testing to view the various companies. I would go for the bundle that includes vitamins and minerals as well as TSH -FT4 - FT3 and antibodies TPO & Tg. Medichecks have offers on Thursdays.
I have not used these companies but hundreds have on the TUK Forum in order to have a diagnosis or ensure they are on the correct dose. These are companies that send out test kits to your home and results by e-mail.
What tests were done that suggested your daughter had a parathyroid problem ? They regulate calcium levels. Always obtain copies of all test results with ranges so you can monitor progress and check what has been missed.
I find the comment of the OP somewhat familiar ... Thyroid hormones needed in every one of the trillions and trillions of cells in the body so every condition is influenced by either too many or too few. I have an excellent book - Thyroid and Heart Failure. Available on Amazon where you can Look Inside. Research papers from around the world when a Cardiologist and an Endocrinologist came together for the purpose of research. T3 is the star of the show and yet very rarely tested in the NHS.
Happy to help with results by PM if appropriate. There is a website for parathyroid- sorry do not have info to hand.
Hi redmoon, have you been given statins already?
But you ignored the question I asked you below 15 mins ago??? Bit strange. Plus Marz asked you your views 4 HOURS ago ?? So many of these posts are now a setup, so sad.
To hidden - I discovered that there is a link between thyroid and cholesterol.
When I had Graves Disease in 2012 (very overactive thyroid caused by antibodies, autoimmune) my cholesterol was really, really low.
I’ve now been in remission since 2013 and my TSH has crept up a lot from what it was back then so Id say my thyroid is slowly becoming more under active, unfortunately my cholesterol has increased too.
I figured out for myself that there must be a link and mentioned this to my GP when she discussed my cholesterol. She smiled sweetly and nodded but as my TSH is ‘within the range’ then nothing will be done to lower it at present. I’ve since done lots of research and know there is a link.
So I’m assuming I’m not the only person who has discovered that and that is the reason that people talk about thyroid whenever cholesterol is mentioned.
I’d say, fix the thyroid and cholesterol will sort itself out.
As for statins, I took them for a week several years ago. After that short time the muscles in my legs were so weak and painful I could barely walk. We were in our camper van and I could hardly walk to the bus stop across the road whereas in the past we used to take the 25 minute walk into town. By the end of the holiday my husband has managed to convince me to stop the statins which I did. I also felt really depressed, a side effect that wasn’t widely advertised back then.
Sorry you don’t feel you can learn anything from Marz, due to her life experiences she is a fount of all knowledge.
I agree Rosie, a big shame. I don’t understand why they didn’t answer Marz’s question that was at the same time as their post, then I asked them a question and 15 mins after that they said they were leaving. 🤔🤔
Think you are right but you never know - they might sign on again under a different name and read it.
sos007Ambassador
In your case what is the purpose of taking the statins? Primary prevention or secondary prevention?
If primary prevention, due to elevated LDL-C of greater than 3.5 mmol/l, then it is in response to a physiological condition that is sub-optimal that has resulted in the elevated LDL-C.
Cholesterol is not the enemy, it is one measure of the body's response to an inflammatory state. Address the conditions that have caused the inflammatory state, and your LDL-C will normalize. Understand that the body needs cholesterol, and there is an established range that within it the body is functioning normally.
Statins lower cholesterol, but they do not alter the physiological damage being done by a sub-optimal diet and lifestyle.
Doctors will tell you that statins work best when combined with a change in diet and lifestyle.
The damage done to the endothelium (inner lining of our blood-vessels) occurs from elevated LDL-P (particle number), not necessarily elevated LDL-C.
Source: peterattiamd.com/the-straig...
Most doctors have not yet adapted to this reality which has been established by researchers over a decade ago. Here's a more recent paper:
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
The most important dietary change that you can initiate to address both elevated LDL-P and LDL-C, is the elimination of sugar in all of its forms as well as simple/refined carbohydrates (white flour products such as bread, pizza, and pasta), white rice, and white potatoes. This will lower your triglycerides which is critical to lowering LDL-P and LDL-C.
You want to fuel your body with healthy fats that come from nuts and seeds, olives (including extra-virgin olive oil), avocado, and Omega-3 fatty acids which are usually found in cold-water fish such as wild-caught salmon, trout and arctic char.
Fermented dairy can also benefit you in the form of plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt, and AGED cheese - especially Gouda, Jarlesberg and Swiss Emmental. Goat and sheep fermented dairy products are also preferred. Many people have a dairy sensitivity, so you should start with small amounts and assess how they affect you.
Fat, when metabolized is a more efficient fuel source than carbohydrates. However it is important to stick to unsaturated fat as noted above.
I took statins following by-pass surgery in 2015 and experienced severe myopathy (muscle pain). I changed my diet and lifestyle so that I could stop relying on pharmaceuticals and I was successfully able to do exactly that.
Good luck.
NHS, GP practice, will not go for all the tests mentioned. Only basic lipid numbers.
Medication is given from lipid numbers.
OK, can go for private tests, medication private very expensive.!!
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