Statins and GGT Levels

[Amae]

Hi all,

hoping for some other experiences with something similar- my mum started statins after a mini stroke in 2024, before starting she had her bloods done and all was normal, since starting the statin her liver function test results are showing high GGT levels and ALT.

They recommended she reduce her dosage of statins which showed an improvement but the levels were still higher than they'd like so she was then referred for an ultra sound which was all okay.

Shes now been referred to a liver specialist and told to stop taking the statins for 4 weeks then to repeat bloods.

I feel like she is worried that there is something more sinister at play here but to me it seems logical that the statin has caused the increase (due to levels being fine before she started and then lowering when she reduced her dosage) so I just wondered if anyone has been through something similar as I can't find too much online.

she drinks around a bottle of wine a week fyi.

Thankyou!

Some statins are processed by the liver and can cause enzyme levels to rise. If a person has such side effects, there are other statins that can be prescribed that are not metabolised by the liver.

But they are probably more expensive ones and NHS/GP may not be willing to prescribe them. I don't know.

Worth asking if the current ones can be changed. It doesn't sound like liver disease, but it may be a side effect of the statin type. Doctors will know as will the liver specialist.