Statins and alcahol

[henrythewasp]

I have just started statins and told not to drink more than 14 units. I am a little worried as I like a beer, I don't have a problem but will go out on a Friday night and down 5-6-7 pints. Sometimes the same on a Saturday being sociable with the lads. Is there any cause for concern or is it OK?

[CDreamer]

If you have been told not to drink, there is a good reason for that so no it’s not OK and you will suffer the consequences down the line. between 10-14 pints over a week-end is considered binge drinking and risky as both statins + alcohol affect liver and kidney function as well as increase possible side effects of statins, The odd pint or two you might get away but I would suggest either take the statins or the alcohol, keeping to the guidelines of 12-14 units/week, not both.

You don’t need alcohol to socialise but breaking the habit will be the hardest bit.

[henrythewasp in reply to CDreamer]

Sorry, what I meant was I was told I can have 14 units per week limit, that's around 7 pints. This is normally what is recommended anyway for anyone in tip top health. Let's be honest though if a bloke goes out with his mates to football or whatever it might be they will push the boat out so I want to know if anyone has done this now and again without any problems. I am not saying I do the 7 or 14 pints every weekend sometimes perhaps only around 6-7 pints over the whole weekend. Coffee isn't good for us tea isn't, neither is white bread, crisps breathing in air in the city but we do it so I want to know of anyone who has a beer and how they feel.

[Chiara4 in reply to henrythewasp]

Maybe alternate or intersperse non alcoholic beverages when more than one or two pints looks in the offing? It sounds like your time at the pub is a lovely part of life! IMO, quality is as, if not more, important than quantity…..

[Lulu2607 in reply to henrythewasp]

Hi henrythewasp you may need to take other comorbidities into account when considering how much alcohol is OK. You are also hypothyroid aren't you which affects people in different ways. I am hypo, but I find alcohol has an increased effect on me and I rarely fancy it now. Statins for those who are hypothyroid is a controversial topic anyway which you'll read about in the thyroid posts. I personally cannot tolerate them. Also, just wondering if you take BP meds as well as they often don't mix well with alcohol either. I suppose what I'm saying is, you need to look at the big picture ie your current health, fitness level and the meds your on etc as it's not a simple question of statins and alcohol.

[Haz58]

You are drinking up to 112 units a week with that amount of beer just at the weekend. The most docs recommend a week are 14 units a week. So you decide. Live longer or carry-on drinking what you usually do. Liver problems let alone a heart attack are not nice. I've seen people die of both.

Lots of zero alcohol beers around now so you can still be sociable without the health scares. Even Guinness that's alcohol free. You really aren't doing yourself any favours drinking as you are.

[henrythewasp in reply to Haz58]

I asked how people feel if they have a beer, I don't like Lager or Guiness alcohol free or not.

[DakCB-UK]

I've never been told that but I am only small and would be unconscious before 7pints so I suggest maybe they want you to drink less anyway, but there may be side effect risks that they never told me because it wasn't likely to matter.

[Marz]

As you are also Hypo then you may be aware that raised cholesterol can be linked to LOW thyroid and in particular LOW T3 (very rarely tested) The NHS website does state that getting the thyroid well treated b4 starting a Statin is advised.

Do you know your T3 result ?

[henrythewasp in reply to Marz]

No sorry not got a clue. I did raise the subject but was told I am suitable.

[Jennifer53]

I have not heard of statins being a problem with alcohol. But I'm not a doctor. I can't drink much because I'm on anticoagulants.

[Jack2019]

IMO, no cause for concern. Enjoy your weekends. Alcohol has a negative affect on the liver so does a statin and a poor diet. It is general advice given to everybody as it is the current thinking on healthy living, like telling you to eat more vegetables or get plenty of exercise . Daily excess is hazardous to health, that is a different scenario to what you are asking.

[henrythewasp in reply to Jack2019]

Thank you for the genuine non judgemental down to earth answer.

[ashleyout]

The main reason the doctor said not to drink is because alcohol raises cholesterol levels. In my case with familial hypercholesterolemia, the raised levels have inflamed my liver so I've had a double whammy. Try reducing it by one pint a session, it's easier than you think. Im down from about 14 pints a weekend to 5 over the space of about 6 weeks. I do miss it, but my health comes first and I fall off the wagon every summer.

[mgdoble]

Drinking two nights in a row is bad (the liver needs a rest). But apart from that the beer is going to cause a massive spike in triglycerides that will last several days. I think maybe three pints an evening is the limit and of the lower strength 4% beers like Guinness.