Can Statins Increase Blood Sugar?

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Cardiovascular disease is a common and serious complication of diabetes. People with diabetes are more likely to have abnormal cholesterol levels. Having high cholesterol increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.^1,2

Along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, doctors often prescribe statins to manage high cholesterol. Here, we explore how statins affect blood sugar levels.¹

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance made by the body and found in animal-based foods like meat, dairy, and eggs. Some cholesterol is necessary for normal bodily functions. But when cholesterol is too high, it can stick to the inside of blood vessels and cause narrowing or blockage. Abnormal cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.²

Cholesterol is categorized into the following types:²

LDL (“bad”) cholesterol – High LDL increases the risk of heart disease. A diet high in saturated and trans fats is linked to high LDL cholesterol.
HDL (“good”) cholesterol – Higher HDL cholesterol may lower the risk of heart disease. Diabetes can decrease HDL levels.
Triglycerides – High triglycerides combined with low HDL and high LDL are linked to fatty deposits inside blood vessels. These fatty deposits cause plaque to build up and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Balancing cholesterol levels is important for cardiovascular health. Diabetes tends to lower "good" cholesterol and raise "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels.²

What are statins?

Statins are drugs that treat abnormal cholesterol levels. They work by reducing the amount of cholesterol made in the liver. Statins also remove LDL cholesterol and triglycerides from the blood. Improving cholesterol balance prevents plaque buildup in blood vessels.^1,3

Statins are highly effective at preventing heart attack and stroke. There are many different types and strengths of statins.^1,3

Can statins increase blood sugar?

There is evidence that statins can increase blood sugar. However, depending on your risk of heart disease, the benefits of taking statins may outweigh the risks.^1,3

Experts believe that taking statins increases a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes by about 10 percent over 5 years. The risk is higher for people with prediabetes and insulin resistance. For people who already have diabetes, statins are linked to increased blood sugar.^4,5

Studies show that statin use increases insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when your cells do not respond normally to the insulin your body produces. Insulin resistance leads to higher blood sugar levels. Researchers are still looking at how statins impact insulin resistance.^5-7

The following factors are linked to increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes while taking a statin:^4,7

Higher statin doses
Insulin resistance and prediabetes
Abdominal obesity
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Certain genetic and lifestyle factors
Steroid use

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Ways to support your cardiovascular health

Managing blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure is critical to supporting cardiovascular health. Here are some steps you can take to keep your heart healthy:^1,2,8,9

Nutrition – Eat a well-balanced diet focused on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein. Avoid saturated and trans fats, added sugar, and salt.
Exercise – Aim for 20 to 25 minutes daily of moderate physical activity (like walking). Also, try to do muscle-strengthening exercises 2 days per week.
Weight management – Work toward or maintain a healthy weight.
Smoking – Stop smoking. Talk to your doctor if you need help.
Alcohol – Limit or avoid alcohol. The US Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting alcohol to 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you must manage your cholesterol to maintain your cardiovascular health. The benefit of statins for heart disease prevention may outweigh the risk of increased blood sugar. Talk to your doctor to make a plan based on your overall health.^3,4

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simba Member
Do you have info on blood pressure medications and if they cause diabetes, I was taking Hydrochlorothiazide and was told it can raise sugars in people with diabetes also..We were also told to be careful with any medications in our diabetes class because of certain medications can raise sugars. Now how on earth does a person keep track of all this, I went off my blood pressure meds because I lost weight and blood pressure was good, but still don’t know if it caused my diabetes, I was on this way before I got diabetes, I did a lot of research on Hydrochlorothiazide and it said it can cause diabetes and weight gain, so I’m about 90% sure that’s how I got diabetes. I was on this for many years. I also over heard a conversation at the lab about a woman was told by her doctor that hydrochlorothiazide can cause diabetes and she was on it because that was the only medication that helped her, and she said her doctor told her to stick to a good diet while she was taking it, as a preventative measure so she didn’t get diabetes while taking it. So be careful with any medication be diabetic or not, so many side effects. Do your own research before going on medication. I’m on two medications for what they thought was depression when diagnosed with diabetes and an anti anxiety med after diagnoses, and really hard to go off of. Because there is withdrawl. I’m warning people because what I’ve experienced, and don’t want anyone else to go through. I tried once to get off the anti anxiety med and couldn’t because of withdrawl, and same with anti depressants. It most likely was diabetes distress, and had no support. The fear that comes with diabetes is real. And most doctors do not know of diabetes distress because it’s a new phenomenon that people go through, and I didn’t know this, there’s more research on this now since we have the internet, I wish I new. Now I have to try and get off these horrible medications. Also, when you go through grief like I have with my dear mom. Grief does not go away it’s always there, it turns into mourning, but it really doesn’t go away like people think, you carry it with you and need lots of support with this to, you need love, grace, TLC, and gentle care. I truely belief there’s not enough help in these areas. And everyone goes through it differently same as a diabetes diagnosis, I have a very good article on when a person is diagnosed with any chronic condition, your in shock and disbelief, when told you have this disease, and I went down the wrong path or my doctor did, by giving me antidepressants and anti anxiety meds when first diagnosed, instead of asking me how are you feeling with your diagnosis, I did tell him I am scared and feeling down, and he gave me drugs instead of saying that this is normal. I cried that day in his office and he miss took it for depression. And I believed him because I didn’t know this is a normal response of diagnoses. And I didn’t have the right support at home. I am sorry for everyone who lives with this disease and empathize because it’s not easy, and people just don’t get it and have a filter before they say uneducated things about my diabetes. And ignorant things to boot.
simba Member
that’s suppose to say no filter
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="simba" user-id="3615573"/>. Thanks for bringing this up. From what I have read, hydrochlorothiazide can induce type 2 diabetes in some people and raise blood sugar levels in people who are already diabetic, but researchers feel that the cardiac benefits outweight the risks for most people. Here is a study from the National Institutes of Health that explores the connection: <a href='https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27424996/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27424996/</a>. So, you might be right about the relationship in your case. Did your doctor explore other options before prescribing it? Many people end up on thiazides because they can't tolerate other blood pressure medications. - Lori (Team Member)
Creub Member
When I had high cholesterol 40 years ago my doctor prescribed Lipitor and told me 'this may raise your blood sugar but he stated flatly that the benefits of Lipitor outweigh the risks'. Boy, was he WRONG! (At the time I simply didn't comprehend that because diabetes was for old people, or so I thought). At the time I believed in 'better life through chemistry' which merely enabled my poor lifestyle choices. Within six months I went into prediabetes. He should have tried to get it through my thick skull that I educate myself and try alternatives (diet and exercise) first. My ignorance on the subject was a life-changing error and a little education back in the 80s could have made a huge difference today. 
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="Creub" user-id="4216602"/>. I get what you mean. My doctor was ready to put me on blood pressure meds without giving me the chance to bring it down on my own. Fortunately, I insisted and succeeded. On the flip side, my doctor friends tell me they often prescribe meds as the first option because too many people are unwilling to make dietary and lifestyle changes even if they express a willingness during the appointment. I see their side of the issue as well. I have known many people like that. Do you have both your blood sugar and your cholesterol under control now? Warm wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
Tula62 Member
Well I would like to say something here, I had my 3 month A1c and my sugars are 6 and my cholesterol LDL was 4.4 needless to say I was quite worried when my doctor said I would like to start you on a statin and I said I didn’t really want a statin because it can raise my sugars, and cause other side effects, he said you can do lifestyle changes I said I have already done lifestyle changes and eat pretty good. So fast forward I decide to try the statin and low an behold my sugars went up and muscle weakness in my thighs, so I talked to my pharmacist and he said yes it can cause side effects and told me to stop it. So I did, scared the heck out of me. So I made an appointment with my doctor to tell him all this, the receptionist made it for today a 3:40 today I was getting ready for my appointment then the office phoned and said the doctor had to leave the office and If I could do a phone appointment between 3 and 4 and I said yes. I waited at home because he always phones my landline 3 o’clock rolled around then 4 o’clock and no phone call then 5 o’clock still no phone call he never phoned, and he’s leaving his practice on Thursday is his last day, this is important and now I don’t know what to do. There is two other doctors looking after his patients in the office because he couldn’t find a doctor to take over his practice. But I don’t know them and he’s the one who put me on the medication. Ugh! I was in tears, and worried if I can’t take the statin I’m worried I will get a heart attack or a stroke, I am going to try and phone the office tomorrow. Talk about high anxiety ever since I found out my cholesterol was up. Can’t sleep because of the worry and no doctor again because of him leaving, and he promised he would find a doctor for us to replace him. I am so stressed over all this again.
1. Lori.Foster Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="Tula62" user-id="4788345"/>. No need to worry. There are new alternatives to statins now that are almost equallly effective and will not impact your blood sugar. I can't imagine any doctor would have issues with prescribing them, especially since you reacted badly to stating. The most effective so far seems to be Nexlizet, a medication that combines bempedoic acid with ezetimibe. The doctors who are pitching in should easily be able to see your need for cholesterol meds by looking at your blood test results. Treating high cholesterol is usually not complicated. You mght even be able to ask the receptionist to have him prescribe the new medication without a new appointment. Let us know how it goes. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)