blood tests and lipitor

[arlmon18]

I've been taking 20 mg. of Lipitor for a few years. I have my cholesterol levels checked every 6 months, as well as liver function tests. Some people I know, who are also on Lipitor, only have their blood checked once a year. I will speak to my new doctor about this, but I was wondering if anyone else has these blood tests every 6 months?

[flowergirl2day]

Originally Posted by arlmon18

I've been taking 20 mg. of Lipitor for a few years. I have my cholesterol levels checked every 6 months, as well as liver function tests. Some people I know, who are also on Lipitor, only have their blood checked once a year. I will speak to my new doctor about this, but I was wondering if anyone else has these blood tests every 6 months?

Hi,

Are you on other prescription meds that might affect your liver function?
I am. I have mine done more frequently. Some tests monthly, liver function every 2 months, cholesterol every 3 months.

Flowergirl

[Guy1_USA]

You are supposed to get it checked every 6 months... regardless. Statins are nasty drugs... you want to make sure you keep up on your blood tests when taking them. You want to find out sooner, rather than later, if statins are causing you an issue. There is no way I would wait a year between blood tests when taking statins. They can cause a Rhabdomyolysis, a very rare side effect.


Rhabdomyolysis is a fatal side effect of cholesterol lowering statin drugs that was responsible for the eventual recall of the Baychol in August 2001. Defined as a disorder involving injury to the kidney caused by toxic effects of the contents of muscle cells, rhabdomyolysis can become fatal. Baycol was the first statin directly linked to death because of rhabdomyolysis.

When the muscle is damaged from rhabdomyolysis, it releases pigments from the muscle and blood into the bloodstream. The kidney then filters the pigments out of the blood and it accumulates in the kidney and blocks up the filtering portion of the kidney, causing kidney failure.

[arlmon18]

I've never heard of that side effect (never mind not be able to pronounce it). I do have my blood checked every 6 months, and have not had any side effects from Lipitor, nor has my husband. I will ask my doctor about the side effect that you mentioned. No one wants to be on meds, because they all carry side effects - but, some of us have no choice.

[flowergirl2day]

Hello,

You could ask how many of his patients have had to discontinue Lipitor. That should give you a pretty good idea as to how "rare" or uncommon the side effects are. (I asked).

You and everyone else who can tolerate it with no ill effects are lucky. I am on it and hoping for no adverse effects longterm, because it works and gets good results.

Flowergirl