Me as the guinea pig or should that be lab rat
Please note: No animals were hurt in this experiment! The image above is entirely AI generated.
Addressing my concerns
As noted in my last post, I have some concerns about taking atorvastatin as this may conflict with my need for good glycaemic control. My cholesterol levels were fine when I was first diagnosed with T2D and remain so. On that basis, I didn’t have any concerns about dropping atorvastatin from my daily medication regime, at least temporarily. My plan was to buy two months supply of continuous glucose monitors and continue to take atorvastatin for the first month but stop it for the second month. No other change to diet, lifestyle or medication were made.
CGM and HbA1c
There are a number of continuous glucose monitor (CGM) suppliers and, in the past I have tried several. For this experiment I settled on Dexcom, for no particular reason other than price. Even then there is not much to differentiate the main suppliers.
Glucose meters in the UK measure levels in mmol/L whereas other parts of the world may use mg/dL. For anyone who is interested, I’ve included a table at the end of this bog comparing HbA1c, in both mmol/mol and % form, with average blood glucose levels in both mmol/L and mg/dL. 1 mmol/L is approximately equal to18 mg/dL. The average blood glucose level is important as it is used to estimate HbA1c levels, the gold standard for diabetes diagnosis and management. In the UK HbA1C levels are measured in mmol/mol. Other parts of the world use %! Where I talk about my HbA1c I will give both mmol/mol and % values.
Before I started this experiment my HbA1C level was 50 mmol/mol (6.7%), which is in the diabetic range of 48 mmol/mol and over. Actually compared to when I was diagnosed, 90 mmol/mol (10.4%), this wasn’t too bad and was indicative of reasonably good control. Obviously ,the aim is to get this down further, firstly into the prediabetic range of 42-47 mmol/mol (5.7 – 6.4%) and then into the normal range of below 42 mmol/mol (<5.7%) if,possible.
CGM whilst taking Atorvastatin
The first image below shows 24 hours of blood glucose recordings on day 10 of CGM use, the second is on day 12. On both days, there are notable spikes after eating and average glucose levels of 8.8 and 8.7 mmol/L. The corresponding % values ware displayed as 7.1% or 54 mmol/mol. So not too bad but definitely in the diabetic range! The spiking above 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL) consistently occurred after eating throughout the month whilst taking atorvastatin, bread seemed to be a particular issue.
Day 10 of CGM use, just before chaning over to a new monitor. Peaks well outside desired range after eating and average glucose at 8.8.mmol/L
On day 12 spikes again clearly seen after eating. Higher than desired glucose levels remaining consistent.
CGM without Atorvastatin
It was noticeable almost immediately that spikes after eating were not as high and overnight levels were lower, apparently dropping into the hypoglycaemic range at times. I am however discounting the readings below 3 as they are not part of consistent pattern. These very low readings cropped up a few times as shown below on days 6 and 12 without atorvastatin respectively. Day 6 readings were particularly uneven and the monitor failed the day after suggesting this is due to monitor issues as much as anything. I must add that Dexcom replaced the faulty monitor very quickly without quibble and at no cost, so I’m happy with the service they provided. The CGM results also show my average glucose levels falling from 8.7, as previouslet seen whilst taking atorvastatin, to 7.9 and subsequently 7.6 mmol/L (137 mg/dL). This is right on the borderline between prediabetic and diabetic!
Given these results I decide to continue excluding atorvastatin from my medication.
Day 6 without atorvastatin. Spikes and overnight levels are noiceably lower compared to readings when taking atorvastatin.
Average glucose levels are continuing to come down, spikes remain within desired range and overnight levels remain low, even a little too low at times.
Latest HbA1c result
I had to wait a few weeks before my next blood test was due but a few days ago I got the results, my HbA1C level was down to 45 mmol/mol (6.3%). This is in the middle of the prediabetic range so my GP is very happy and instantly lowered my medication. They probably won’t be as happy when I tell them about the atorvastatin, but that will come up at my annual review later this year. Unfortunately, I didn’t get results for cholesterol this time. I’ll have to wait another few months for my next blood test to see what that looks like. As noted before they were well below target levels anyway so it will be interesting to see if they go up much.
Latest eye check up
Its been a busy period! I recently had a check up at the eye clinic. Again some good news as there has been some improvement. Hopefully this will be even more evident at my next check up in 3 months time.
