Statins and alternatives

[Buspasswalker]

My GP has contacted me regarding taking a drug called Ezetimibe to lower cholesterol. My last blood tests were mid 2024 and my LDL cholesterol was at the top of the "normal" reference ranges, but by no means high. There was also mention of taking a Statin alongside this drug - I have always balked at the idea of statins as friends have all had problems with them. Wondering if anyone has experience of this drug? I am still CKD 3a (just - but falling slightly each year) and have high blood pressure and am hypothyroid (Hashimoto's) and have IBS.

I am wary of the most common side effects which seem to be gut related issues and muscle pain as I suffer enough from these already! I am also unsure if there would be any effects on my kidneys if I decided to take one or both tablets. I have currently said I will only consider this after I receive the results from my next round of blood tests, and am also being extra careful with my diet.

[Beads]

Morning. Check out the Zoe podcast around cholesterol and give those suggestions a go before trying statins.

zoe.com/learn/transcript-lo...

And how well is your hypothyroidism controlled? Come join us on the thyroid forum on HU, there’s loads of discussions about thyroid/cholesterol/statins. Lower thyroid status seems to be directly linked to higher cholesterol levels. Similar to you, my LDL is high but still in range, my HDL is also high but in range; making my total high enough that the docs panic. With no heart issues though I’ve been able to resist statins as being hypo I’m more likely to suffer ill effects. I have no idea of the impact on the kidney though, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will jump in there. But, logically speaking, if large cholesterol molecules damage the kidney then if I suffer the side effects of statins, the large protein molecules released will also affect the kidney.

[Buspasswalker in reply to Beads]

Brilliant, thank you. In 2018 I had multiple pulmonary embolisms which resulted in having to have an echo to see if any damage had been done to my heart. Apart from a tiny leak in a valve all seemed fine. I once had an ECG which suggested I had had a previous heart attack - nobody mentioned this to me, I just came across it when I requested my records for something else! I got checked out by a cardiologist who said all was okay and that ECGs can show up all sorts of anomalies if they are done by different technicians, there is movement etc. ECGs since have been fine, so I don't consider myself to have heart problems. My hypothyroidism is usually well controlled. I used to have a GP who was very knowledgeable about the condition and used to run a full set of tests, but these days my surgery only seem to check TSH. I will look at the sites you mention, and thank you for your input 🙂.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I have been taking ezetimibe for several years and diagnosed with CKD at 3b. So far it has worked and has not adversely effected my CKD , however I am on a CKD diet, which might help my cholesterol levels also.

[Buspasswalker in reply to orangecity41]

Thank you. Do you have any side effects? I was wondering about Ezetimibe alone without an additional statin - is that what you have?

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Buspasswalker]

You are welcome. Yes I take only Ezetimibe. I have no side effects.

[Buspasswalker in reply to orangecity41]

Cheers!

[horsie63]

I took Zetia (Ezetimibe) and Pravastatin. I had high cholesterol and those two got me into the middle of the reference range. I had no problems with them. Now my cardiologist wants me to take Lipitor to get my LDL below 60...it was 70 last test. I'll give it a try and if I start to have issues I'll go back to the Pravastatin. Good luck.

[Buspasswalker in reply to horsie63]

Thank you. All great things to discuss with my doctor.

[Hily]

I had dreadful cramps with the statins even worse when it was Lipitor, so painful I cried! Came off them and pains stopped instantly. Dr gave me Ezetimibe on its own. The dose is 10 for everybody. Seems to work. No side effects-wonderful.

[Buspasswalker in reply to Hily]

Good to know - thank you!

[Pepperthedog]

My experience of statins many years ago was the same as Hily's - I couldn't walk and was in severe pain. Having changed to Ezetimibe, the cholesterol has been well controlled since then, with no obvious side effects. I think statins were the first cholesterol management drugs so are now the cheapest and used as first-line meds; Ezetimibe is more expensive.

[Buspasswalker in reply to Pepperthedog]

Thank you. A couple of friends had the same experience which is why I am do wary. I have enough muscle pain as it is!

[Blackknight1989]

Do some research on statins sometime, seek non-US or non-doctor/pharmaceutical company research, especially non-US sources and then revisit the quandary you are in now. Been my experience if you refuse the doctors prescribing advice while it may not be addressed and the Doc may act as if they completely understand, it’s time to find a new doc. They really don’t like patients to blatantly refuse a “professional” medication directive. After all those pharmaceutical companies have some really nice trips/bonuses they offer to their “best representatives of their cutting edge, life-saving/extending medicine. Just my opinion but often such a challenge to their “professional recommendations” leads to a lower-standard of care whether unintended or blatant.

[Buspasswalker in reply to Blackknight1989]

Thank you. yes, my first thought was that there was monetary incentives involved, although I am in the UK and not sure how much that applies over here. Probably more of a push by the government. I am being extra careful with nutrition and have insisted on having my next set of blood results before making any decisions.