Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Found High Lipid Profile. Prescribed With Lipitor. Any Side Effect?
Question: I just found out my LDL is 217, with TC being 294 and HDL of 46. My doctor has prescribed Lipitor. I am afraid to take it but more afraid not to. I am only about 15 pounds over my ideal weight and don't understand how this could be...it's not like I double fist cream donuts. I am female and 51. Do patients do well on this drug? I've read many not so good stories. Thanks.
It is a very good and safe drug, however you should start on a low dose, and titrate it up as needed.
If this is the first time your cholesterol is found to be elevated, you can do a trial of intense diet, low in fat and sugars. Then these labs can be rechecked in 2-3 months. Most people are unable to bring the cholesterol levels down to normal.
Lipitor or its other alternatives (the drug class is called "statins") are usually safe, but at the beginning it is recommended to check your liver enzymes, to make sure your liver is not reacting to it (however this happens rarely, in less than 5% of patients).
The fact that you are not overweight does not matter; you would still be at risk of cardiovascular problems, or even developing "fatty liver" which is associated with abnormal cholesterol levels.
If you are on steroids by any chance (I see that you have a history of autoimmune problems), then these can definitely worsen the cholesterol / lipids, and diet alone will probably not be enough and therefore I would recommend you starting Lipitor or any alternative statin right away, as prescribed by your physician.
Hope that helps, let me know if you have any further questions
If this is the first time your cholesterol is found to be elevated, you can do a trial of intense diet, low in fat and sugars. Then these labs can be rechecked in 2-3 months. Most people are unable to bring the cholesterol levels down to normal.
Lipitor or its other alternatives (the drug class is called "statins") are usually safe, but at the beginning it is recommended to check your liver enzymes, to make sure your liver is not reacting to it (however this happens rarely, in less than 5% of patients).
The fact that you are not overweight does not matter; you would still be at risk of cardiovascular problems, or even developing "fatty liver" which is associated with abnormal cholesterol levels.
If you are on steroids by any chance (I see that you have a history of autoimmune problems), then these can definitely worsen the cholesterol / lipids, and diet alone will probably not be enough and therefore I would recommend you starting Lipitor or any alternative statin right away, as prescribed by your physician.
Hope that helps, let me know if you have any further questions
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
