Statins and Fatigue

There is little doubt in my mind that Statin drugs are a significant contributor to fatigue.

Statins are cholesterol drugs. They are among the most widely prescribed drugs on the planet. The statin drugs Lipitor and Crestor are the two largest selling pharmaceutical drugs in the world.

Statins are cholesterol lowering drugs. In recent times, their value has been questioned with some intensity as new understanding reveals that cholesterol may not actually have very much to do with heart disease. The plaque that builds in the arteries is predominantly free calcium floating around in the blood stream.

Yet, even though their efficacy is under question, doctors are still prescribing them at an alarming rate. In some cases, a high blood cholesterol reading will be enough to see a person being prescribed a statin. The reality is that once a person is on these drugs, they tend remain on them for life.

Besides there being a huge question over whether they are effective or not, the cost to the Federal Government is quite staggering.

A study run by Doctor Beatrice Golomb at San Diego University Medical School seven years ago revealed significant increases in fatigue among patients taking statins as opposed to patients taking a placebo. You can read a report on the study here.

Dr Golomb explained, "Side effects of statins generally rise with increasing dose, and these doses were modest by current standards.“

I have encountered many men who have experienced light right through to severe fatigue as a result of taking statins. One close colleague, a former champion AFL Footballer, was so severely affected that he could not play gold without using motorised cart to take him around the course.

There are other more effective ways to diagnose heart disease. Anyone taking a statin has the right to go to their doctor and question the prescription and to ask for a Calcium Score Test, which will give a clear diagnosis of the presence of heart disease, or not, and if so, how severe it actually is.

And it is interesting to note that this is just one of many studies linking statins to fatigue. For example, here is a discussion presented by the prestigious Mayo Clinic.

I write this to assist you in being mindful of a silent and hidden cause of fatigue on your worksites. It is worthwhile raising with your workers as some of them may be struggling in silence.

Wishing you a safe and productive worksite. 

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