Let's play devil's advocate: your cholesterol is out of whack, and I mean by our standards. The ratios are bad, the docs are wringing their hands. Is there any point that you would take a statin?

Knowing what I know now, NO..

Maybe if my triglycerides were through the roof and my hdl was very low. But they'll never get that way eating sugar free and low carb.

There's no evidence it does anything positive for you until AFTER you've had a heart attack. So I wouldn't take it before. I'd do everything I could with supplements and a heart scan and the better sort of testing and if my small LDL was still too high, I might consider it... AFTER I had a heart attack.

After reading this forum and other research (and having major aches in my legs, which my dr. said had NOTHING to do with statins), I stopped cold turkey. I have not had my cholesterol checked since doing that, and not really too concerned anymore. This is the conclusion I have come to after having two MIs and 5 stents inserted.

hth,
Sallie

My doctor has me taking atorvastatin at the lowest dosage, even though LDL was only 102 on the last test. The reason is that I have multiple risk factors for heart disease (T2D and hypertension too), and he wants it below 80.

So to answer the question, "when would you..." my answer is "...after 2 months of dragging my feet, losing 30 lbs, eating mostly leaves, and my LDL is about 100." Sounds kinda lame really, but I will have new test results soon, and it is bound to show less than 90.

I have never seen it written when you would come off a statin. I hope that I would quit when LDL gets to 75.

Great answers, all, thank you. And everyone, keep them coming

It's just something that bugs me.... as most seem to believe, the ratios are a good indicator of the cholesterol picture. Mine has improved every 3 month period that I've been tested:

Total cholesterol divided by HDL

8.4
5.0
4.6

LDL divided by HDL

5.0
3.5
3.0

Total chol.

245
200
242

LDL

146
141
172

HDL

29
40
52

Trig.

352
96
88

and yet, the doc is hollering for me to take Zetia. As much faith as I have in LC, it's tough to ignore one's doctor.

No, becasue there are things you can do to lower it..there are alot of nutraceuticals out there that can have a profound effect on hdl/ldl levels and triglycerides.

I'm not quite convinced that total cholesterol is much of a factor.

They also have no effect for women.

I was on Lipitor for a while, and had horrible seide effects, so no, I would never go on them again. Besides, I don't believe the whole cholesterol = heart disease theory.

Remember that your doctor only knows what the drug companies have been telling him/her. Your doctor is your employee and should give you unbiased information. Ask your doctor about how much information he/she received from the Zetia rep and what sort of freebies came with that information.

Mike, I guarentee there were some kind of freebies lol. I've watched drug reps going to the back offices carrying boxes of donuts (oh, that's good to see at a place of health).

one of my buddies is a regional manager for a generic drug company and he brings lunch in daily for the doctors offices that he sees everyday.

and golf clubs and concert tickets and sporting event tickets and booze and...

Oh and another thing..for any new drug they launch he gets money for every prescription written..

That I find hard to believe. That'd be a kick back and is most likely illegal.

NP, I meant to ask this yesterday: what was your LDL before the doc gave you the statin? Around 100?

And if you're thinking they'll want you off the drug when you reach a certain number, probably not. They want people on them for life.