Statins and Type 2 Diabetes

[AndyT]

Not strictly speaking an MPN question but I’d be interested to know if anyone has had a similar experience of statins and insulin resistance as a possible side effect.

When I was first diagnosed with ET 17 years ago my GP put me on Simvastatin to reduce my cholesterol, which was only slightly high, and therefore remove another risk factor for thrombosis.

I’ve been on 20mg daily ever since, with no apparent side effects.

2 years ago I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes due to a high blood glucose level (Hba1c 6%) and have followed a programme since then to improve my diet, take more exercise and lose 13kg in weight.

Despite these efforts my Hba1c has remained stubbornly high and was back up to 6.1% in October. My cholesterol is good for my age, with a ratio of 3.6.

I’ve recently persuaded my GP to switch my statin to Pravastatin, which some studies suggest has less of an impact on insulin resistance and blood sugar levels and will be interested to see if it helps that while still controlling cholesterol.

His comment was that he has many older patients on statins and with Type 2 diabetes and really should know more about any link - sounds like I’m his (willing!) guinea pig..!!

Sorry for the long post but has anyone else had to manage a similar situation and found a good solution?

[flfair]

Hi, have a read.drmalcolmkendrick.org/stati...

[AndyT in reply to flfair]

Thanks will do. I’m still happy to take a statin as I believe the benefits outweigh the risks but looking for one that has less effect on blood sugar 🤞

[Jlah in reply to AndyT]

This is so fascinating- I take statins because of a stroke even though I have low cholesterol but often feel that it has interfered with my blood sugar levels - thought I was being stupid but will now follow this up with dr. Jx

[AndyT in reply to Jlah]

I’d never made the link before but a chance mention and reading this started me thinking mdalert.com/ms/adc/article/...

My doctor certainly wasn’t dismissive and I sensed he shared my view that simvastatin might not be helping my blood glucose...

[Adlon57]

I was put on statins five years ago, high cholesterol, but due to my other medical conditions, I ended up taking pills to counteract other pills, nine different ones, they reacted badly with my osteoarthritis affecting my joints. I naturally lost weight, after a few weeks, I took myself off the statins, good choice! Then this year. I like my food, diabetes 2, then threatened with statins, sugar level and weight had come down, blood exam time in March, cholesterol low or statins! I'm 64, in semi-isolation trying to lose weight in isolation, very Hard! I really need exercise, might take late night walks, with a mask on?😤😤🥴😓😤

[Pte82]

AndyT have you researched magnesium to lower Hba1c ?

[AndyT in reply to Pte82]

No I haven’t - but will do now! Thanks

[Pte82 in reply to AndyT]

AndyT check out Delta tocotrienol. This article doesn't include what it does for cancers however it does show what it does for cholesterol. Also research Krill oil while you look further into tocotrienol.

askdrray.com/health-benefit...