QuestionHello Dr. I'm 41 and taking bp meds along with Lipitor. Recently there have been reports that statins cause elevated blood sugar. This caught my eye because I've been taking Lipitor for some time now, years, and in the last year or two, my Dr classified me as pre-diabetic, saying all I need to do is lose weight. I'm 240 lbs and 5'11". I wonder if it isn't due to the Lipitor. So I contacted my Dr's office and said I'd like to stop taking the Lipitor until my next appt, which is in 2 1/2 months, recheck my blood and see if the sugar level is still elevated or not. I have a feeling it could be related to this medication. I have two questions however, 1) Is it ok to just stop taking a medicine and 2) would it be counterproductive to stop, being it is for lowering cholesterol, although my current cholesterol is 161, tri's 118, HDL 30, LDL 107?
Also, can you explain two additional #'s and what their significance is. One is hemoglobin A1C 6.2 and the other is liver enzyme 52? These numbers come from my last appt which was at the end of November. Since that appt I had a slight ache on my lower right side to the right of the groin almost in the crease of the thigh. It felt like something tight inside deep, from my right backside upper buttocks in the middle. I consequently made another appt since then because of this a month or two ago and they thought it was a sore Soaz muscle. Once I got home, a message was on the phone saying I had slightly elevated protein in my urine sample. I don't have any aches right now, but from time to time I notice something there. When I indulge in beer, might have some correlation here, as I notice the 'ache' the morning after having beer the night before. Could alcohol be something that is bothering me? All research I've done leads me to high blood pressure and kidney leakage of protein, but with all the information out there, it might be worse to scan it all and speculate. I'd like an educated opinion. Thank you for responding.
AnswerThe relationship between Lipitor (statins) and elevated sugar is not even close to a cause and effect relationship. I would be much more inclined to think you are simply developing diabetes and would not recommend stopping Lipitor. An improved diet and weight loss would probably take care of the sugars. The A1C of 6.2 is pretty good so you are not elevating your sugars much.... probably can be treated well with a better diet.
The liver enzyme may be alcohol related depending on how much you drink or could be "fatty liver" based on your height/weight. The statins can elevate liver enzymes a little, so make sure you had a normal while on Lipitor in the past.
The pain you are having sounds more musculoskeletal based on the location.
Good luck with everything.
