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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Taking Simvastatin 20, Irregular Periods, Shrink Stomach And Hips. Advice?

Hello, I am a 26 year old female. I have familial hypercholesterolemia and have been taking simvastatin 20 since I was 18. My last appointment, almost 4 months ago, my dosage was upped to 40 mg simvastatin. I am on no other medications . Since then, I have gone from 116 pounds to 126 pounds, most of it in my stomach and hips, my breasts have shrunk nearly 2 cup sizes, I feel like I have a lower libido, my periods come either every 2 weeks or every 6 weeks, and I m experiencing constant fatigue; I m having trouble sleeping but even when I sleep well I don t feel rested when I wake up. I have had low bone density for a while, even before I started on the 40mg. Should I be concerned? Are any of these symptoms related to my dosage being upped? I have thought perhaps that simvastatin has affected my hormone levels but can t find anything conclusive on the internet. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
posted on Mon, 11 Jun 2012
Twitter Mon, 11 Jun 2012 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 13 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on
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HIV AIDS Specialist,  's  Response
Dear Yukon,
Chlesterol is the basic unit for all our sex hormones and corticosteroids. When you are on cholesterol lowering drugs, it will definitely lower your hormonal levels and in turn lower your libido. Sleep disturbance also is related to your reduced hormonal levels. Your bone density needs Calcium and Vitamin D substitution. With regards to your hyper-cholesterolemia, as you are young female, you need not take simvastatin. Instead you reduce your food cholesterol as far as possible, abstain from smoking, alcohol. CHECK YOUR BLOOD SUGAR AND BLOOD PRESSURE. iF THEY ARE NORMAL YOUR RISK DUE TO CHOLESTEROL IS VERY MUCH REDUCED. So abstain from anti-cholesterol drugs and be cheerful as ever.
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Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Taking Simvastatin 20, Irregular Periods, Shrink Stomach And Hips. Advice?

Dear Yukon, Chlesterol is the basic unit for all our sex hormones and corticosteroids. When you are on cholesterol lowering drugs, it will definitely lower your hormonal levels and in turn lower your libido. Sleep disturbance also is related to your reduced hormonal levels. Your bone density needs Calcium and Vitamin D substitution. With regards to your hyper-cholesterolemia, as you are young female, you need not take simvastatin. Instead you reduce your food cholesterol as far as possible, abstain from smoking, alcohol. CHECK YOUR BLOOD SUGAR AND BLOOD PRESSURE. iF THEY ARE NORMAL YOUR RISK DUE TO CHOLESTEROL IS VERY MUCH REDUCED. So abstain from anti-cholesterol drugs and be cheerful as ever.