GFR Below 60

[Alan_G]

Hello. I'm new to this forum. I am 72 years old and have been taking Apixaban for the last 7 years for my AF. As a result, I have regular blood tests for my kidney function. Until recently my GFR score has always been over 60. My GP informed me last week that it had dropped to 58 which puts me in the Stage 3 CKD category. He suggested it was time I thought about taking statins. Thing is, I always thought statins were for high cholesterol which I didn't have when last tested. Also, my blood pressure is in a normal range, the systolic varying between 120 and 130. To add to that, I read that statins can have a detrimental effect on your kidney function and so I'm reluctant to consent to something that is going to lower my GFR even quicker. I am aware though that there is a push to get people onto statins who have an over 10% risk of having a cardiac event in the next 10 years. He asked me for a urine sample which I have provided, but I will ask for another cholesterol test before I consent to statins. I have found this all a bit worrying and am asking what advice anyone may have who has been in a similar popsition.

thanks

[pheebee]

Hi Alan, I've been fighting against taking statins, but my cholesterol was high. I eventually caved in when my cholesterol kept creeping up. I started a low dose of Rosuvastatin (5mgs). Within a month my cholesterol was low and I have now started taking it on alternate days (my decision) I haven't had my kidney function test back yet so don't know the effect on my GFR. Some reports say that reducing cholesterol reduces pressure on the kidneys and improves kidney function. Apparently statins can be prescribed if you are considered high risk of heart disease or stroke due to smoking etc even if you don't have high cholesterol.

[Alan_G in reply to pheebee]

Thanks for the replay. I forgot to mention I am not overweight, do not smoke, exercise regularly, do not have diabetes and have what I consider a sensible diet. I do drink anywhere between 20 and 30 units of alcohol a week though but I've never seen it mentioned anywhere that cutting down on alcohol is a lifestyle change you can make for kidney function. That said, I am going to try and get consistently down to 20 units.

[pheebee in reply to Alan_G]

I'm the same, although I don't drink, I do smoke six cigarettes a day. I don't eat saturated or trans fats either, but the prescriber said raised cholesterol can be familial and not necessarily related to diet. I believe some types of kidney disorder can increase the risk of arteriosclerosis, and a statin would reduce the risk of this. From what I've read it seems people at risk of arteriosclerosis should have a total cholesterol level of no more than 4 mmol.

[Alan_G in reply to pheebee]

My last cholesterol reading was 3.9 but that was 2 years ago. I'm going to ask for another. I'm suprised it hasn't been suggested to me.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Here in US there is a non statin Medicine for high cholesterol. It is Zetia (generic ezetimibe), which was prescribed for me. It is working for me and no effect on my kidneys. I was diagnosed at CKD level 3b. I too am a senior.

[Alan_G in reply to orangecity41]

My problem is that I do not have high cholesterol and so am unsure what benefits there are to being on statins.

[jodaer]

I took a statin in the late 90s. I had horrific muscle pain. I stopped it and refused to take it again. unfortunately, my arteries clogged, and I had a heart attack and had stents put in. I still won't' take a statin but my doctor put me on Repatha and it seems to be working.