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Original poster

Should I push my GP for Statins?

33 replies

Deedee37 · 11/12/2023 16:25

I’m 40, recent blood test showed cholesterol 6.2 overall and the LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol is at 3.8. I’m pretty sure it’s genetic, my dad is on statins for 20+ years because nothing else would help.
My GP advised a lifestyle change but I feel I’m already doing most of what’s suggested - I don’t smoke, I have up alcohol 4 months ago, I exercise about 1.5 hours for 5-6 days per week and I don’t eat fried food. My only ‘sin’ is that I eat sweets. I’m slightly overweight but not by much. I’m on medication for an under active thyroid which contributes to the high cholesterol and overweight.

I’d be ok with giving up sweets if it helps and to lose a few kg, but not sure if it would make a significant difference…other than that, I don’t think that there’s anything I can do better. What also concerns me is that my levels rose significantly during the past 12 months (were in range back then) and if anything, I’m more healthy now than I was because I gave up alcohol since then.

Not sure if I should push GP for statins or keep trying to lower cholesterol without medication?

OP posts:
contactus · 11/12/2023 16:27

My GP advised a lifestyle change.

If you are being honest about your lifestyle you outline and you really are only slightly overweight… then this is a little baffling

contactus · 11/12/2023 16:28

I’m on medication for an under active thyroid which contributes to the high cholesterol and overweight.

It most certainly should not if you are on the correct dosage of levi

contactus · 11/12/2023 16:29

levo

RandomMess · 11/12/2023 16:41

It will be your hormones, as you go through peri your female hormones lower and your cholesterol goes up if it's genetic.

Mine got to 8.4 and they still wouldn't give me statins 🙄

Although latest research says that despite widespread use of statins heart disease rates aren't falling. They think it's more likely related to our diets being high in sugar/simple carbs as that causes hardened arteries.

furtivetussling · 11/12/2023 16:45

My GP put me on statins after being unable to reduce my cholesterol by diet alone.

You could always ask. Does the GP know your family history?

ThreeTreeHill · 11/12/2023 16:52

There's lots of diet related causes/changes you can make that you haven't mentioned though

You are exercising 1.5hrs a day and are still overweight this suggests your diet can easily be worked on

Try dietary changes. Try weight loss. If those things don't help then I'm sure the GP will consider statins

LBFseBrom · 11/12/2023 16:54

It is possible to lower cholesterol without statins. It isn't just about fried food and sweets, there is food that actually helps lower the levels. You can google.

Cholesterol levels do go up as we age and yours is only borderline which is why your GP is not recommending medication. High levels can run in families but don't always.

Natural plant sterols and milk thistle are very helpful indeed.

Just eat a healthy, varied diet, drink plenty of water, try to lose a bit of weight and do gentle exercise. There's no point in pushing for drugs when you don't need them and statins can have awful side effects in some people.

olderbutwiser · 11/12/2023 16:57

I think statins are prescribed on your Q-risk, not on your overall cholesterol levels. Check out your risk here https://qrisk.org/ but I think Nice Guidance says your risk has to be 10+ for statins.

My chlorestrorol is 7.2 but my qrisk is under 6 so no statins for me.

QRISK3

https://qrisk.org/

whysohardtogetusername · 11/12/2023 18:22

Try another doctor until you get one that will at least take your concerns more seriously? Especially as I'm assuming you are a woman. Statins may not always be the best choice but there are other drugs that reduce cardiovascular risk factors. I relate as I eat healthily, normal weight, exercise regularly, have similar genetic predisposition to high cholesterol and Dad, Aunt and Uncle all had heart attacks/strokes. My Dad was much healthier than the other two (non-drinker by then, lost significant amount of weight and was in normal BMI range, regular exercise every day) and in the end he had a minor stroke versus a heart attack. Which is better even if it doesn't sound it! So lifestyle definitely works but we will have to work harder than other people to get similar results, sadly. I'm considering going mostly vegan/veggie plus fish and seafood. The other thing I would say is if you can make sure you do strength training not just cardio, if you're not already. Lots of studies showing it makes a difference even if you only do for an hour a week.

Original poster
Deedee37 · 11/12/2023 21:26

Thanks all, some helpful advice!

I can definitely improve my diet by cutting out sweets and desserts, I’ll try that from today. Although I eat healthily otherwise, I have a terrible habit of having some sweets in the afternoon, which lead to being a bit overweight.

I’ll also look for a personal trainer to get some advice on weight training, it’s something I wanted to do for a long time because I’m currently doing mostly cardio.

And I’ve just ordered two books with recipes that are suitable to lower cholesterol.

Hoping for positive effects, I’m feeling quite stressed out about my levels.

OP posts:
floorprotector · 12/12/2023 06:10

This reply has been deleted

This is a previously banned troll so we've removed their posts.

Bubbles254 · 12/12/2023 06:24

If you eat a lot of sweets I would be more worried about your blood sugar than chloresterol. Have you had your hba1c checked too?

RandomMess · 12/12/2023 10:33

Despite my high cholesterol my arteries aren't clogged at all - they got the all clear after a thorough investigation after having a stroke. Obviously I now am on statins everything is a tick box!

MikeRafone · 12/12/2023 10:42

contactus · 11/12/2023 16:28

I’m on medication for an under active thyroid which contributes to the high cholesterol and overweight.

It most certainly should not if you are on the correct dosage of levi

This is true. Also if under-active appetite will decrease.

The cholesterol can be raised through hypothyroidism, but if your doctor has asked you to change your lifestyle that could be weight. Ask for a TSH blood test to check levels and go from there on dosage.

mynewusername2023 · 12/12/2023 10:54

I somehow reduced my levels from 6.2 to 5.3 in about 8 months without making too much change apart from introducing omega 3 supplements that I started taking for something else. Not saying it's the answer but it's the only thing I changed.

However when I reduced it further to 5.1 they still wanted to put me on statins!

I was advised by the nurses that not to rush to start them as once I did, I wouldn't be able to come off them. I was advised to go onto a Mediterranean diet to reduce my levels.

floorprotector · 12/12/2023 11:05

This reply has been deleted

This is a previously banned troll so we've removed their posts.

threefiftysix · 12/12/2023 11:12

If it's familial hypercholesterolimia then you should be on statins.

Mine was 7.2 and my doc sent me to a lipid specialist to confirm I had FH as he suspected it.

Gwenhwyfar · 12/12/2023 12:06

I'm a bit worried now. I'm older than you and got a reading of 205 (5.3 mmo/L). The lab report said it shouldn't be over 190 so I thought I was only slightly over and there was no talk of statins.

LBFseBrom · 12/12/2023 12:13

You are borderline, Gwyn.

Chocoholicchops · 12/12/2023 12:18

I had similar readings a year ago. I already had a BMI of 20, marathon run regularly and don’t smoke, minimal alcohol.
I got mine down by adding in omega 3 tablets, bring strict about my saturated fat intake and following a more vegan diet and introducing weight lifting four times a week.
Given the potential side effects of statins I’d make them the least resort after changing everything I possibly could.

LBFseBrom · 12/12/2023 12:18

The op has said her dad is on statins and she feels her higher levels might be caused by genes but no doctor has said she has familial hypercholesterolaemia. Anyone can develop it out of the blue. It is worth implementing diet and lifestyle changes before embarking on a drug regime.

This is from the NHS:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/cholesterol-levels/

nhs.uk

High cholesterol - Cholesterol levels

Find out what cholesterol tests measure and what a healthy cholesterol level should be.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/cholesterol-levels

fantasmasgoria1 · 12/12/2023 12:38

I have type v familial hyperlipidemia. I have had an eating disorder for years and whilst I am ok ISH at the moment I watch the fat that I eat. I am a patient at the lipid clinic and the consultant there said if it's familial then you just can't naturally deal with the cholesterol in your body. He said whilst altering diet will help, ultimately it really doesn't matter because without the statins my levels will be over 7. If you think it is genetic then ask them to please do a blood test that checks for familial high cholesterol.

Gwenhwyfar · 12/12/2023 12:42

LBFseBrom · 12/12/2023 12:13

You are borderline, Gwyn.

Ok thanks. That's what I thought and my doctor wasn't very worried about it. Good thing really because I am not able to give up all bad fats and all sugar and eat loads of veg and fruit...

LBFseBrom · 12/12/2023 14:58

Just considerably reduce your intake of 'bad' fats and added sugar, Gwyn and carry on eating lots of food that is good for your cholesterol levels, there is plenty of nice stuff if you look it up. Be careful of your salt levels too. Eat bananas and drink water. Good luck!