In trouble for not taking statins, but blood test shows liver concern

[Anonymousemouses]

I was told to take statins in April. My cholesterol was 7.1 (although my GP said HDL - LDL ratio was good). I was warned that it can cause liver problems, so to be on the lookout for symptoms.

Instead of taking them I started exercising and took plant sterol supplements as well as cholesterol lowering yogurt drinks. I also swapped milk for soya milk (more for menopausal symptoms than cholesterol though).

I don't eat red meat, don't eat a lot of cheese, only really yogurt and sometimes chocolate.

I was also scared as both my siblings, my dad and all my grandparents have/had diabetes type 2. My dad was in his early 30s, my brother in his late teens and my sister in her late 20s. I an 54.

I've started HRT patches, and I feel so much better.

I had a blood test this week. My cholesterol has only come down to 6.1, so the pharmacist is calling me as the GP is unhappy.

My HBA1C was 38, so I currently don't have diabetes or pre-diabetes, I'm terrified of taking statins and being pushed into diabetes.

The other (surprising) thing is I have high ALP levels. The other liver function tests are fine, but this one is very high and the GP has said it needs action and has made an appointment for next month (earliest available). This also makes me very reluctant to take statins, as although I know it can point to digestive or bone problems as well as liver, until it's investigated we won't know, and if it is liver I don't want to exacerbate the problem.

I should point out that there is no cardiac history in my family.

My dad did have a MIA two years before he died, but he was ill with primary kidney cancer, primary pancreatic cancer and primary bladder cancer.

My paternal grandparents lived to 90 and 87, my maternal grandfather lived to 86, my maternal grandmother lived to 60 (she had bowel cancer, I had a Tubulovillous Adenoma removed 6 years ago, was told that I would need surveillance, then was told that I didn't meet the new threshold - which says that polyps under 1cm don't need surveillance, but mine was 1.75cm, so definitely in the range that needs to be checked, but they won't perform a colonoscopy on me).

Hopeful bump

Another bump in case anyone has any advice

There are alternative cholesterol lowering meds to statins.
For example :
exetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, and inclisiran if you’ve had a previous cardiovascular event.

Of course no one can advise you in an online forum, but you might want to think about discussing these with your doctor who can advise in the light of any contraindications, interactions with other medications you are taking and in conjunction with your medical history, and of course in line with NICE guidelines.

British Heart Foundation has good up to date information on statins which might be useful.

Statins do more than lower cholesterol. They stabilise plaques already in the arteries. Which helps stop bits breaking off and causing a heart attack.

Any reason you won’t take the statins? I’ve been on highest dose since my heart attack in 2019 and no negative effects, on liver or elsewhere. Not even monitored by blood test.

It’s your decision whether you take statins. If you find out what your QRISK score is from the surgery you can use the NICE statin decision aid to make an informed decision. Awaiting further investigation of your raised liver result before you start is perfectly reasonable.