Cholesterol and statins - what was your level when you started statins?

[Nik2015]

My doctor suggested I go on statins today. My level is 5.7, but has been raise for many years. The highest has been 6.5 last July and has fallen since then.
My blood pressure and general health is fine.

I am very reluctant to take statins as want to try and address my lifestyle first.

Can you please tell me what your cholesterol level was when you first started statins and did they have an immediate effect?

I know someone who used to preach that Spector clean eating shit. My god it was tedious. Never took anything, laughed at those who were on medication and said they were "rattling". Mocked them for eating a bit of bloody toast and said the reason they were rattling was because they didn't have the dedication to fitness and clean eating that he did. He was extremely fit, I'll give him that.

He dropped dead in the shower aged 60.

My DH has been on simavastin for years and always seem to have a slight cough. He’s asked the Dr about it, but he says it not caused by the tablet. Had a chest x Ray came back normal. Anyone else had this ?

I have no idea what my cholesterol is - I'm 38 and not overweight but I understand you can't tell from weight alone. Would the doctors test me if I asked out of curiosity?

Looks like the NHS only tests people at 40

www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/getting-tested/

Home test kits are available or some pharmacies will test you (possibly using a home test kit)

lloydspharmacy.com/pages/cholesterol-check

Does the score we have been given mean anything without knowing out BMI and blood pressure? I thought it was calculated on various measurements?
Mine was 6.4 lst year, the gp said it's probably quite low because I'm relatively young. I was sent away for 2 months to try and bring it down by lifestyle changes.

hollyblueivy I was eligible for a test on the NHS as part of the 40 yer old health checks, you might need a privte test before then.

Looks like the NHS only tests people at 40

They've been testing me from my 20s, after my father had a heart attack.

They do a risk assessment called Qrisk which takes account of cholestrol, age, BP, other health conditions etc and assesses your risk of a heart event.
My qrisk was 15 if I remember so even though cholestrol was not above 5 statins were recommended.

I appear to have been tested routinely for at least the last 10 years. I’ve had 6 tests in that time and only 1 was 5, so okay.
I am beginning to think statins might be needed.

Has anyone successfully come off them and kept their cholesterol down afterwards? Or are you on them for life?

Started mine Friday got tablets forgot to take- its been around the 4.3 and 4.5. Due to family history, doc advised I should and I will have the first tablet tonight

Reading on statins in the UK - though they are the same other than the Mg/10/20/40 and I think 80 - according to Google, different brands work at different speeds, IE time taken to impact your cholesterol levels