Game-changing new cholesterol drug?

[TheJazzSinger]

An interesting interview with Dr. Aseem Malhotra on the new anti-cholesterol drug Inclisiran: doctoraseem.com

[sandybrown]

Thank you, very interesting. I read a lot on Dr Aseem Malhotra article on cholesterol have seen few video clips.

The world believe on majority not on minority thinking even if the minority thinking is correct!!

I learned this in my working life as an Engineer an also as a IT trainer when it came to basic and fundamentals.

Now, take a unit of measurements for medicine. Example 10 mg tablet. Now days, I have seen written as 10 MG. I tried to discuss this even with professors at University, no one is interested in it.

Many doctors have given incorrect dosage of medication!!

Any way, I have high blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure. I am trying to control it via life style change,only time will tell if I need medication at 75.

[DakCB-UK]

There is another new-to-the-UK cholesterol medication imminent: bempedoic acid. It works by inhibiting a different step in cholesterol production to statins.

[Nora-B in reply to DakCB-UK]

Hi. I thought I would just comment on your post I thought I had never heard of bempedoic acid but it turns out that I am actually taking it It is known as Extimibe I looked it up and just wonder what it is doing to my body. Eek...Another thing to discuss with pathologist before making final decision on whether to allow any other foreign body, such as Inclisiran, to enter into my own body. I am seeing a nurse tomorrow (privately) to discuss diet and lifestyle. It is an hour long appointment and she will be looking into my medical history.

My GP said it is OK to take Benecol whilst on statins.

You don't say what medication, if any, you are taking.

[DakCB-UK in reply to Nora-B]

Bempadoic acid is marketed as nilemdo. It is different to ezetimibe, if that's what you meant.

Benecol seemed good to me. Oatbran too. Lowest side-effects for the benefits they give. Good luck with your consultation.

I don't say what meds I am on because they change too often! Currently only ezetimibe for years, failed off the last other one 18 months ago which is why they want me on bempadoic or inclisiran soon.

[Nora-B in reply to DakCB-UK]

I apologise. I allowed myself to become confused. Brain fog?Thank you for the putting me right. Yes I have since discovered, by looking on a different site that made things clearer for my addled brain, that what I was reading about referred to a drug that combined bempadoic acid with Ezetimibe. I felt my hour's consultation with the nurse today went very well. I took list of my readings and medication and she was not at all horrified by readings but concerned that I had been on some of the medication for so long. From what she picked up during time going over my medical history and by providing me with a visor so I could take off my mask. (She said it important to see the face as it gives a lot away)She felt that Vit B12 could be low (as already suggested by others). Doctors don't seem to want to know. I have come away with some 'homework' and gentle excercise. I am to make a note of all I eat and when and take note of how I feel after eating it. Oh and need to drink 1 litre a day..or 1 and a half if I can manage. I have opted to see her again in a fortnight..

Have you managed to have discussion regarding the new drugs? Would be interesting to know how you feel about it. I wish you well whatever you choose to be the best route for you.

I have been advised to let the pathologist know that I am making lifestyle changes and that I need a little more time to think things over. Keeping everything crossed,

[DakCB-UK]

Dr Aseem's letter to NICE is sloppy and, amongst other odd rhetorical tricks, doesn't seem to cite studies in ways that allow readers to look them up and verify his claims. That's inexcusable in a letter which also complains about researchers not making their data available for verification.

He seems clever but his writing is opaque and unhelpful.

[TheJazzSinger in reply to DakCB-UK]

I don’t think he was the only author of this letter:

drmalcolmkendrick.org/2021/...

And yes it’s a bit vague in places.

[Nora-B]

I find it all very confusing and scary as I am seeing pathologist in a couple of months time and he has already asked my gp to prepare a prescription. I am hoping others will come forth with some proof of more data. Have not heard of bempedioc acid. Must check that out too.

[sandybrown in reply to Nora-B]

A pathologist? Is this a GP referral? Agree all confusing!

What are your cholesterol numbers? When I had my annual blood test in December I did not get LDL or Triglyceride numbers. When I asked my GP practice, I was informed I need to go private to get LDL and Triglyceride test done!. I am thinking about this.

People on statin medication needs full blood test?

Any way I am not on any medication, Blue crest sent me an email for a package blood test for March this year. I may consider this or a lab in Maidenhead, Berkshire for full blood test.

I will be interested in finding out what medication will come in your prescription?

Take care.

[Nora-B in reply to sandybrown]

Sorry for delay in reply. Long story so will try and cut it short. Had been on various statins over the years, Atorvastatin being the one I was on longest. I seemed OK on them for some time but I started to get symptoms which my doctor felt could be peripheral neuropathy, possibly caused by the statin. He took me off them and I stayed off them but my cholesterol level elevated. I was hesitant about going back on statins. Having also had a reaction to BP medication I was dubious about taking the Covid vaccine..Due to difficulty getting gp appointment to discuss it, my son suggested I talk to a private doctor. The subject of the vaccine never came up as within minutes of him examining me he found I had a heart murmur and possible blockages to my carotid arteries I was referred to Cardiologist.who did an echo cardiogram..and sent me for doplar test on carotid arteries which confirmed blockages. Hence the pathologist and neurologist..with the possibility of a having brain scan. The pathologist was impressed that my total levels had gone from 10 down to 4 something in about a month after going onto Ruvastatin and cutting out a lot of carbs. .Blood test at beginning of this year ( not fasting) showed around total 5 despite my taking Extimibe along with the statin. The pathologist had mentioned the possibility of my being in line for this new drug which I now know as Inclisiran. Because LDL levels were 2.9 at last blood test he feels that, given my diagnosis it would be appropriate for.me to accept this if I am in agreement. Having heard that too low a level when one is older, I am beginning to feel more nervous. I might be happy if I thought it would make me feel better.

So shortest answer would have been just to say that my GP has put Inclisiran on my meds. list and I am to let her know what I decide.. My current meds are Lanzoprasol Atenolol Lossartan Low dose Aspirin, Ruvastatin and Extimibe.. Plus taking vit d.. Never had so many meds.

I had full blood test but the.last test was not fasting. I have not read what triglycerides were I need to try and do a print out..It Amid all this I had kidney infection which knocked me for six.

Sorry for such a long reply. My G P said that numbers are just numbers and we are all different.

All the best. What were your numbers in your annual test and did you fast for that?

[sandybrown in reply to Nora-B]

I had my blood test in December last year. Total cholesterol was 5.3 and HDL 0.87.No other lipid numbers were given.

I asked for a fasting blood test to fine out the other lipid numbers, two nurses and one doctor was involved in the request for one blood test.

One nurse and doctor said as I am not on any medication to lower cholesterol I do not need another blood test. The other nurse said I could go for private blood test.!!

Any way I have decided just to go for annual blood test and not to worry about the blood test numbers, this is because people at 75, we all have different blood numbers.

[Marz in reply to Nora-B]

How long have you been taking a PPI ? It is a short term treatment. High and low stomach acid can present with similar symptoms. Taking s PPI can also lower B12 which is vital for wellbeing.

How low was your VitD ? What is your current dose ? When taking VitD there are important co-factors magnesium and VitK2-MK7. The latter directs calcium away from the arteries and into bones and teeth.

As you have cholesterol concerns - have you had the correct thyroid testing ? The NHS website mentions having the thyroid correctly treated before starting a statin. Low thyroid can also be linked to anxiety ( have noticed your other posts ) Low thyroid also slows down the uptake of vital nutrients as stomach acid is low.

VitD is anti-inflammatory and a steroidal pro-hormone - so much more than a vitamin. It is fat soluble so best taken with a meal containing good fats or take a gel capsule containing olive oil - like Doctors Best.

Thyroid also very much linked to heart issues due to low T3 - the active thyroid hormone - rarely tested ....

[Nora-B in reply to Marz]

Wow. You have done your homework. I made a slight error when I said I had initially gone down to 4 something from ten. I.just hadn't checked my paperwork for fear of what I might find. I had actually gone down to 5.3. However, the most recent reading was down a little.more to 5. I wish I could print out latest test results but haven't a printer. First one came in the post. Anyway . Total cholesterol 5..HDL 1.5..LDL 2.9 Tryglicerides 1.4. I need to look back to see what my vit d3 levels were. I had that blood test done by private doctor and he put me on the high dose for 7 weeks and yes, told me to take it with main meal. He suggested my gp retest but I was eventually advised that a daily dose of 1,000 would suffice..Thyroid was tested and need to look harder to find numbers. I seem to have had so much blood taken this last year. Had high ferritin levels at one stage (possibly due to kidney infection)As far as Lansoprazole goes, yes I hear what you say. I have been on it for years and the doctor then said it was short term but kept prescribing it. It worked for reflux but I took myself to the lower dose of 15gm.and was in the process of weaning myself off it when I was put on Aspirin and was told I needed Lansoprazole to protect my stomach. Physio kept advising me to get B12 checked but no-one else seemed to think it necessary, although the subject came up when I went to walk in centre 5 years ago when my leg went numb. Phew. Another long story. Sorry.

[Marz in reply to Nora-B]

You could do on-line testing through Medichecks for your thyroid and the important vitamins and minerals. Testing kits sent to your home and results by email. Used by 1000's in the Thyroid UK Forum as its the only way to get the correct testing done. Taking control is the only way to find wellness.

You can click onto my username Marz - and read my Bio. You will see I have had a long and complicated health history so reading and reading has helped me find good health. I only take T3 -lots of supplements and the occasional pain killer !

I would try and reduce those PPI's if possible. Reducing the uptake of B12 could make you anxious.

thyroiduk.org

NHS testing for thyroid is inadequate as they only test the TSH. The FT4 and FT3 is much more important.

Cholesterol results look fine - I am not an expert !

[TheJazzSinger]

All GPs should offer a full fasting blood screening which includes HDL, LDL, non-HDL, and triglycerides. For more info on statins read Dr. Malcolm Kendrick's book 'The Clot Thickens'. They use QRisk and input people's results to come up with a percentage level for your risk of having a heart attack within 10 years. QRisk is available for everyone to use. A lot of GPs have been using QRisk 2 which I gather is about to become obsolete and there is a QRisk 3 you can use which has been upgraded and is more reliable.

[sandybrown in reply to TheJazzSinger]

Hello,

From my experience I deffer to this " All GPs should offer a full fasting blood screening which includes HDL, LDL, non-HDL, and triglycerides."

My December 2021 annual blood test did not give values for LDL and Triglyceride?

When I asked for a fasting blood test I was informed this test is not available as I am not on cholesterol lowering medication? I was shocked.b There was a suggestion I should consider going private blood test.

QRISK and JBS both are man made calculators with different algorithms. 1 in 100 or 5 in 100 or 20 in 100, we all are going to dye one day.

Take care.

[Nora-B in reply to TheJazzSinger]

There was a time this last year that it was impossible to get blood tests at all unless you were deemed to be 'in the danger zone' I wasn't sure whether to feel honoured or scared when I had no trouble getting tested in outpatients.

Happy days