zpped
Moderator
AI isn't a source. If you actually check all its sources you'll find some of them don't even exist as it tends to hallucinate them.
Lowering LDL and raising HDL
- Thread starter glpfun
- Start date
Yep. Or misinterpret them.
It's not necessarily a bad first pass, but you need to make it cite it's sources and verify that they agree with what it is claiming to say.
Liber_Pater
Recently Joined
Agree Hex. My doctor wouldn't prescribe me a statin even with ldl in the 130s so I took red yeast rice. Lowered my ldl to 70ish. Even then she said "that's great!" I tried to explain, not regulated, no idea of active ingredient contents, etc. but to no avail. Had to pay out of pocket for a CAC scan (came out with a positive score, bottom 20% for my age) for her to prescribe 10mg rosuvastatin. Took my ldl to around 50. I have since jumped on 10 mg ezetimibe and it's down to an avg of 35 now. Ezetimibe is low cost and great for folks who don't like (or simply can't take) statins. Have found a new doctor since then. All of this is just part of living healthier (cardio 5x/wk, much better diet, strength training 4x/wk, etc.).
Glad you were able to get on it and get a doctor willing to work with you. Sucks when they just ignore things that are important like the fact you're taking the same active ingredient in unknown quantities, purities, etc. as actual pharmaceuticals...
I've actually swapped from rosuvastatin to pitavastatin based on some additional research people have linked. It's not as good at stabilizing existing plaque, so not sure if it's a good fit for your situation, but if you are currently at a lower risk it's better at removing smaller plaque buildup vs. stabilizing it in a calcified form. Apparently doctors ignored it for some time due to the patent and expense, but it is now generic, and might be a good option for people depending on their situation.
peptidepower77
Recently Joined
I did this exact change as well. I'm surprised more people aren't on pitavastatin as it's the most metabolically friendly statin of the bunch. My HbA1c went from about 4.9 to 5.3 on rosuvastatin, and I suspect it'll drop back to normal with pitavastatin. The only real downside to it is it's a bit more money, but to me it's worth it.
Liber_Pater
Recently Joined
Thanks for the great info as pitavastatin isn't even on my radar! Will be doing some research for sure.
Liber_Pater
Recently Joined
Very interesting and good to know!
peptidepower77
Recently Joined
Rosuvastatin, also known as Crestor, is known to cause worse blood sugars, increase HbA1C, and can lead to diabetes in some people. I'm honestly surprised it's still the first line treatment, as often people who are already struggling with weight are the ones to go on it. But yah, when I was researching the one that would be the easiest to lose weight on, that one came up. It also is processed differently than Crestor in the body, so it doesn't interact with as many medications in the same way as Crestor, which is a good thing.
Doctors in America seem to really not know too much about it, somehow. My PCP didn't even realize it existed before I mentioned it to him the first time, said he'd read up on it. Next time I saw him he told me he was now presenting it as an option for patients where they're catching the hyperlipidemia early.
peptidepower77
Recently Joined
That's good. It's not known in Canada or Europe that much either. But the pharmacies do stock it, so some people must be using it. I pay for mine out of pocket, so $5 more a month or whatever to have lower blood sugar seems like a good deal to me.
Liber_Pater
Recently Joined
I never cease to be amazed on how ignorant some physicians are regarding atherosclerosis as well as insulin resistance/hyperglycemia treatments. We need more well informed preventive care doctors. Very frustrating when your doctor doesn't know basic facts or the lastest science. For instance, my prior doctor didn't even know LP(a) and it's relevance to increased atherosclerosis risk (mine was very high at 182 and had to order my own test to determine). Similar to the CAC scan...
Calm Logic
GLP-1 Specialist
Like pulling teeth every single visit.
kris10karma
GLP-1 Apprentice
They're finding that processed foods and sugars drastically contribute more than what they used to think. Cholesterol isnt as much of an issue in other countries. Male RS who is slim but has obese bloodwork is taking .5mg Reta as well as being mindful of artificially enriched foods like rices, pastas, and breads. Organic, sprouted non-enriched versions of these foods dont seem to trigger inflammation in any of the subjects in this household. A statin was recommended but when you research outcomes, they arent really improved in people who prophylactically take statins that havent had a cardiac event. Id google about a bit modifying your key words for studies. I am eager to see male RS blood work compared to last time. Our functional medicine Dr said that the ratio of ldl:triglycerides is much more important than the actual numbers. Im on a learning quest in this arena too
