Lipitor and elevated ck levels

[heart44]

Originally Posted by janeslk

What are considered high homocysteine levels? His last test he had a level of 9.3, but I read elsewhere it should be under 6.3. What does the hs-CRP reading tell you?

Hi Jane,

Optimal homocysteine levels are 6.2 or less, the lower the better.

I agree with you about the poliosanol as a possible cause of your husband's depression, as Lipitor had the same effect. Depression is definitely a "cholesterol lowering" side effect.

B6, B12 and folic acid should give him more energy and help to lower his homocysteine.

hs-CRP (high sensitivity-C-reactive protein) is another "inflammation" indicator.
This link explains hs-CRP blood test:
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hscrp/test.html

I just came across two more articles below:
http://www.prlnet.com/HSCRP.htm

http://www.liposcience.com/control.cfm?id=17

Hope this info helps,

Frankie

[allen_dave]

Hi, I just popped in looking for info on ck-total levels. I just had the blood test done this week, and have never had it done before. I don't know if my doctor checked the wrong box on the blood test order, or decided it was a good idea. My ck-total was 169, and the lab that did my tests shows "normal" from 55-170. Being so close to the high end, I decided to check it out.

I have had chronic abdominal pain for over 15 years. It's a "burning" pain just below the rib cage. I've had just about every test in the book done (that I am aware of) and nothing has showed up as the cause. It feels more like muscle pain to me, but it's very difficult to explain. I've had all my intestinal stuff checked, including egd, colonoscopy, upper GI, several CT scans, and a relatively new procedure, capsule endoscopy. Also, my RBC has been low since the pain started, but not terribly low and it fluctuates a lot (but almost always on the low side). WBC is also usually low. No signs of internal bleeding, and bone marrow biopsy was negative. I know there are several muscle disorders, but finding them is a difficult task. Even here I only see Fibromyalgia and Muscular Dystrophy. I don't think I have either one. Any suggestions on my condition would be greatly appreciated.

As for statins, I started taking Crestor over a year ago. I didn't like how I felt after taking Crestor, and my doctor switched to Lipitor (10 mg). Since most statins are recommended to be taken at night before bed, it's hard to say what your body is going through while you sleep. Probably why they want you to take them at night! Anyway, I have just quit taking the Lipitor in an effort to see if I feel better or not.

[Lenin]

Under the left side ribecage edge: possible pancreatitis; right side: gall-bladder; central or either-side: ulcer!
I'd have a test done for antibodies to H.pylorii if you have not already to rule out small ulceration.

Usually night-time dosing is not as necessary as once thought. It was originally recommended because most of the manufacture of LDL in the liver occurs while we sleep. The goal of statin therapy is to interrupt this process resulting in less manufactured LDL-cholesterol. Studies with Lipitor show that it gives close to the same results no matter WHEN the dosage, but the "night-time dosing" seems a mantra most doctors have stuck with. Maybe there are some very short lived statins for which it still pertains; don't know.
I take mine at night from habit.

[allen_dave]

Originally Posted by Lenin

Under the left side ribecage edge: possible pancreatitis; right side: gall-bladder; central or either-side: ulcer! I'd have a test done for antibodies to H.pylorii if you have not already to rule out small ulceration.

Thanks! Pain (burning pain) is under my rib cage, just about all the way across, possibly a little more on the right side. Last year I had gal-bladder removed after Heida scan showed it at 8%. That helped with the bloated feeling I was having. However, abdominal pain still remains. Also, I have an EGD done every two years and no sign of an ulcer for the past 10 years. I believe an EGD will also show pancreatitis (???). If not, please let me know. Not sure about H.pylorii. Don't think I've ever had a test for that. Would this test indicate a small ulceration inside the stomach that an EGD might miss?