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Originally posted by TBH:
There are times where we have no choice but to rely on pharmaceuticals. But we need to do our own research and make our own decisions. We can’t 100% trust the medical profession.

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SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

●Clinical use – Statins are powerful drugs for lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. They have proven benefit in primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease but do not improve noncardiovascular disease outcomes. (See 'Efficacy' above.)
●Choice of statin – The choice of statin depends upon a number of factors, including the degree of hyperlipidemia, pharmacokinetic properties, drug interactions, the presence of kidney function impairment, and cost.
•Potency – Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin are preferred in patients who require a potent statin because of high cardiovascular risk or who require >35 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol. (See 'Potency' above.)
•Kidney function impairment – In patients with severe kidney function impairment, we suggest treatment with atorvastatin or fluvastatin (Grade 2C). These medications do not require dose adjustment. (See 'Chronic kidney disease' above.)
•Chronic liver disease – In patients with chronic liver disease who require a statin because of high cardiovascular risk, we suggest complete abstinence from alcohol and the use of pravastatin at a low dose (Grade 2C). (See 'Chronic liver disease' above.)
•Drug interactions – Fewer pharmacokinetic drug interactions are likely to occur with pravastatin, fluvastatin, rosuvastatin, and pitavastatin because they are not metabolized through the CYP3A4 (table 4). (See 'Drug interactions' above.)
•Muscle-related adverse events – There are no clear data that the adverse event profile differs significantly among statins. However, pravastatin and fluvastatin appear less likely to cause muscle toxicity than other statins. This problem, including predisposing drug interactions and an approach to management, is discussed elsewhere. (algorithm 1) (See "Statin muscle-related adverse events".)
●Monitoring
•Creatine kinase – We suggest not routinely monitoring serum creatine kinase (CK), but it is useful to obtain a baseline CK level for reference purposes prior to starting statin therapy. Patients treated with statins should be alerted to report the new onset of myalgias or weakness. (See "Statin muscle-related adverse events", section on 'Monitoring'.)
•Aminotransferases – We suggest checking baseline aminotransferase levels prior to initiating statin therapy; routine monitoring of these levels is not necessary for patients on statins. (See 'Hepatic dysfunction' above.)
•Thyroid-stimulating hormone – We suggest checking a thyroid-stimulating hormone level prior to initiating statin therapy. (See 'Muscle injury' above.)

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Originally posted by captain127:
I said look at my LDL ( which is high- a good thing) no thanks.

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Originally posted by bettysnephew:
If you do make the step to taking statins, start taking coQ10 if you are not already taking the supplement. Statins have a tendency to reduce coQ10. The coQ10 tends to relieve some of the regular side effects of the statin. If you are already taking the supplement consider doubling the dosage if it is not already maximum. I take my simvastatin at night and coQ10 in the morning. Before I learned about coQ10, I was having muscle/cramping issues.