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As many as 40 million people may be taking statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs daily in the U.S. Although medications like atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, and rosuvastatin can bring cholesterol levels down dramatically they can also raise blood glucose levels or make diabetes harder to control as this reader relates:
Q. I used to have good blood sugar readings when I was on glyburide. Since I was put on atorvastatin to lower cholesterol I have had trouble with high blood sugar.
I read in your Guide to Managing Diabetes that statins can affect blood glucose but the clinical pharmacist at the VA said you are wrong. She insisted that atorvastatin does not affect HbA1c or blood sugar.
They now have me on both glipizide and Onglyza and the clinical pharmacist admitted that my HbA1c will not come down. She still insists I have to keep taking these medicines even if they are not working to control my diabetes.
A. We are puzzled that your pharmacist was not aware of the official prescribing information for atorvastatin (Lipitor): “Increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels have been reported with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors [statins], including LIPITOR.”
HbA1c is a measure of how high blood sugar levels have been over the past three months. Clinical trials and other studies have shown that statins can indeed raise blood sugar levels, making it harder to control diabetes.
Blood Sugar and Statins:
There is general agreement that statin therapy increases the risk of developing diabetes (Current Atherosclerosis Reports, Jan. 2015). Research has shown that there is a 10 to 12 percent increased incidence of new-onset type 2 diabetes in statin takers.
The higher the dose and the more potent the statin the greater the risk. Investigators believe that statins “impair beta-cell function [in the pancreas] and decrease insulin sensitivity” (Nature Reviews. Endocrinology, online, Dec. 15, 2015).
What remains controversial, however, is whether people with diagnosed diabetes have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels while taking statins. Many experts are convinced that there is no problem.
Most diabetes experts and cardiologists insist that the benefits of statins far outweigh the risks for people with prediabetes or a diabetes diagnosis. They state that should a patient develop type 2 diabetes after statin treatment they should continue on the statin and start drug treatment for their new-onset diabetes.
Patient Stories RE: Statins and Blood Sugar
Russell in Hawaii shares his experience:
“I have Type 2 diabetes and was prescribed Lipitor about six months ago. My morning sugar has been moderately elevated but under control with metformin.
“After reading all the potentially bad things about Lipitor and paying for tests which determined I have no heart disease, I quit using Lipitor two weeks ago. Immediately the next day, my morning sugar went to normal and is no longer moderately elevated.”
Cindy in PA states:
“I am a 58-yr-old female with no history of diabetes in my family. I have been taking 80 mg of pravastatin for about 3 years and now I am pre-diabetic.
“There is no history of heart disease or stroke in my family. Now that I am reading about this risk I am very angry with the medical community. My doctor insists I stay on cholesterol meds regardless of the pre-diabetes.
“I am not overweight nor is my diet bad. I never consume sugar and constantly watch my carbs & have done this for years. It is definitely the statins causing this.”
Lucy shares her family history:
“I am 50 and I never had high blood sugar, but I do have high cholesterol and have had for over 30 years. I was put on simvastatin and my normal blood sugars went from 85 to over 100.
“The doctor says type 2 diabetes is hereditary. My mom is 89 and has normal blood sugar levels, and my dad died in his late 80’s and had normal blood sugar levels. In fact, nobody in my family has had diabetes. I am normal weight.”
Rich in Florida:
“I am a 61 year old man in otherwise good health. My glucose and A1C have been on a relentless march upward ever since my doctor started me on low dose simvastatin. I started doing some research prior to my last doctor visit, when he actually increased me to a higher statin dosage (even though my cholesterol was very much within normal ranges), and changed me from atorvastatin to rosuvastatin. He told me that high dosage was indicated with diabetes – even showed me a chart!
“Anyway, I had lab work done a week ago, and glucose is way up and A1C was up almost a point. I work with a dietician to manage my diet, I exercise daily, and am not obese. The more research I do, the more I’m convinced that the statins are the cause. The multiple studies that have come out this year are not a fluke.”
Bob in Deming, WA shares his numbers:
“I’ve discovered this link on my own. I’m a numbers person – I pay attention. I noted a relatively sharp increase in blood glucose levels when I started taking simvastatin more than five years ago.
“I asked my doctor and he stated ‘the drug does more good than harm, keep taking it’. Now, he asks that I switch to atorvastatin. Hmm…my morning FBG [fasting blood glucose] levels were on the rise (145ish).
“Accidentally I have forgotten to take my bedtime simvastatin for 4 to 5 nights. For the last 4 mornings, my glucose levels are all in the 120s; today 118. Haven’t seen these numbers in awhile now.
“My conclusion:
Pretty much obvious that elevated glucose is harmful.”
Dangers of Diabetes:
What has puzzled us is the assumption that statin-induced diabetes does not warrant reconsideration and that people should continue taking their statin and just add diabetes drugs to the mix. If a medication caused a patient a severe rash we cannot imagine a dermatologist advising that individual to keep taking the medicine and just add prednisone to control the rash.
Other Options for Controlling Cholesterol:
We are sending you our Guide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health so that you and your doctor can discuss possible alternatives for your cholesterol. Others can download it for $2 from this link.
Please share your own statin story below and vote on this article at the top of thepage.
Noreen
I have been on Atorvastatin since 2015. In 2022, my cholesterol started rising again. The dr put me on another cholesterol pill, Ezetimibe, in addition to Atorvastatin. And now my blood sugars are high. I’m going in 3 months for more bloodwork. I’m sure the numbers will still be high. I told my dr of my findings. So now I wait to see if they take me off one of them.
Ali
I have been on metformin ER since 2014. My A1C was always under 6.5. I watch my diet and exercise regularly. Cholesterol however was always over 200. Finally I decided to go on the atorvastatin after regular reminders from my doctor. Soon as I went on my next lab work, my cholesterol went down considerably, but A1C went up to 7.1. My fasting blood sugar levels are so whacked up. Used to be 110 – 120 maximum, and now it’s ridiculously high. Always feel hungry and uncomfortable despite the metformin. My doctor says I can’t stop taking atorvastatin now. So bummed !! Hate atorvastatin with a passion.
Chris
New York
Back in June of 2018, I was tested for my A1C I do this every 3 months. It ranges from 5.9 – 6.8. My results came back it was 6.3. My doctor then told me that I should take Lipitor 10mg every night instead of 3x a week because my levels were 170. I was tested in Sep. of 2018 and my A1C went up to 8.0 but my chol. Went down to 135. I am not happy with my A1c I am 62 years old and I watch what I eat do now I will cut back on Lipitorto 2/3 X a week again and see in December what my new A1C is.
Chigger
Southern California
Dumped the Lipitor a couple years ago, and my pre-diabetes was well controlled with diet and meds. They put me back on the Lipitor and my blood sugar shot up and will not come down. Plus, they keep trying to get me to take that crap Metformin, which I have proved time and again gives me intolerable diarrhea.
What about my quality of life? I have been experimenting with the dope they give me, taking the Lipitor every other day, and the Metformin the same. When I stopped the daily lipitor my blood sugar dropped an average of 50 points. Not much luck with the Metformin.
I take glipizide and without the Metformin, my blood sugar (with the light dose of Lipitor) is back down, but not where it was before the Lipitor. I want to stop the Metformin – why should I put up with the misery that chronic trots causes? I am disgusted with my doctors. I am 60 and relatively healthy, except for their diabetes game.
P
Ohio
Started low dose of Lipitor at night and saw morning number start to climb. After just 4 nights my number was 266 and hasn’t come down much with my levemir dose. Scared to keep taking Lipitor. It’s the holiday so can’t call doctor
Sana
Jordan
I have the same experience, my sugar reading are getting higher when I take my cholesterol pill.
I do not know what to do. I take my pick one day yes and one day no.
Elizabeth W.
Missouri
I was just released from the hospital for asthma problems brought on by this year’s pollen. However, my bp was so low that it caused them to run lots of blood work. In the process they discovered many things that have really upset me. I started Lipitor just over two months ago. While it pleased me to get my cholesterol down almost 100 points, my health really seems to have gone crazy. I was otherwise really healthy.
My asthma I can blame on this year’s pollen being crazy. But thankful. Otherwise I do not know if I would have discovered my blood work being so crazy. I do not have other health issues. No diabetes or liver issues. But right now my liver count is over 400, and my sugar level when I was admitted was 148. And that was fasting. As a result I have been really sick. I follow up tomorrow with the doctor to have everything tested again, and this will now lead to many follow up test and visits. Hopeful no long term damage. I would never recommend this to anyone. WOW! This has been scary. I am only 44 and have been in fairly good health. How did a drug like this not come with a bigger warning?
steve
Singapore
Taking Atorvastatin 40mg has caused my father’s fasting blood glucose level to be 7-8mmol/mL every day and make it very hard to control his postmeal 2 hrs reading below 10mmol/mL despite of strict dietary control. As my father has no elevated cholesterol level, i do not understand why the Dr prescribed it. I had him tapered it gradually and stopped it completely. It took about two to four weeks, by limiting and evenly spreading his carb intake to 90-100g per day in three meals, his fasting reading is now 5.5-6.0 every time, post two hours reading 8-9. From my experience, atorvastatin will have significant negative impact on blood glucose control even at 10mg a day.
Dave
Utah
I’m 56 years old. Eighteen months ago I started developing peripheral neuropathy. I visited the doctor about this a few months later. Diabetes was suspected but previous blood tests showed normal fasting blood sugar. New tests were done which also showed normal fasting blood sugar. However, the tests indicated high cholesterol around 206. My doctor put me on Atorvastatin to control the cholesterol. The tests also indicated serious deficiencies in vitamins B12 and D so I also started taking megadoses of B12 and D. Deficiencies in B12 can cause nerve damage and neuropathy.
More blood tests were done three months later to assess the effects of B12, D and Atorvastatin. My cholesterol dropped to 165 and the B12 and D were normal as hoped. However, the neuropathy had worsened during these three months. I visited a neurologist who ordered a glucose tolerance test. This test revealed that my blood sugar level was not dropping soon enough after eating. I started taking my own blood sugar readings. Initially, I tested four or five times per day for about a week. The levels were normal but nearly always on the high side, approaching pre-diabetic levels. I went back to my primary care doctor and had more blood drawn for an A1c test. It came back at 5.3, totally normal. My doctor concluded that I am normal but on the edge of becoming pre-diabetic. However, he never mentioned the possibility that my blood sugar might be slightly elevated as a result of the Atorvastatin that I had been taking for nearly a year by this time.
My blood sugar is still above 100 most mornings that I test. For a normal, healthy person, it should be in the 80’s or 90’s. I observed over time that I usually felt a little better on days that I had forgot to take the Atorvastatin. Having recently learned that Atorvastatin can raise blood sugar, I had two good reasons for discontinuing its use. I have been off it now for a week. So far, I have only noticed a small drop in my blood sugar but I will keep testing for a few weeks before I decide how to proceed.
I don’t smoke or drink but I don’t exercise either and I’m about 40 to 50 pounds over weight. I suspect that given my age, weight, and lack of activity, I’m definitely a candidate for developing diabetes. However, there is no history of it in my family. I’m suspicious that me slightly elevated blood sugar may be a consequence of the Atorvastatin, not an indication of pre-diabetes. I should have my answer in a few weeks.
Carl
California
I’m newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (1 month). I was just seeing my morning fast levels go down to 98 – 108 area (yay!). I was then asked to start taking a low dose (10mg) of Atorvastatin… after 3 days, my morning levels are up in the 140’s! (that is why i’ve been researching Atorvastatin today – new year’s eve!)
I am going to experiment… stop the statin for a week and see what happens. I do not have high cholesterol – I was told this was precautionary. I will watch my diet (which I have always done) and go from there.
Thanks for the forum!
Glennda
I have type 2 diabetes. My meds were helping control my diabetes but since I’ve started taking atorvastatin my glucose is out of control and my meds don’t help. I’m going to continue my diabetes med but stop taking atorvastatin and follow a low cholesterol diet.
Emanuel
Florida
Four months ago my A1c was at 6.9 and glucose 115. I was taking 20 mg Simvastin. My doctor switch me to 40 mg Atorvastatin 4 months ago and my A1c went to 8.4 and glucose 120. I have not changed my diet. I am very concerned about the drastic change in my numbers
pamela
ma
i have been taking a station for 10 years or so i was always tired but recently my blood sugar was 5.8 and was told to watch sugar my last doctor that passed away told me stantins raise blood sugar. i have to have a blood test in a month i took myself off startins.. i am 73. small frame weigh 112 5 ft and run and walk everyday but i do like my dessert . i feel so much better off stanton drugs , i feel alive again. i’m going to see how low my glucose is next month
Cathy
I started taking Berberine and my A1C dropped from 6.5 to 5.9 in 2 months. I had already decided to quit my Atorvastatin due to severe back pain and headaches, tired all the time. BEFORE I read this. And the Type 2 Diabetes just hit in the last year.
Not yet on meds because I was trying to lower A1C with Berberine before my next office visit. I have even had sinus problems with surgery over a year ago which I am still messed up from.. read that the Atorvastatin can do that too! Makes me so mad. The doctors don’t want you to try something from a Health Food store but instead add another prescription med to the list.
D. F.
California
Have been taking generic Lipitor and Tricor for 17 years. My cholesterol and Triglycerides are now under control (especially Triglycerides). I am “pre-diabetic,” with morning fasting sugar of 115 to 132 consistently for years. I take the Rx above in the morning after I take my fasting blood sugar.
On the recommendation of a pharmacist I started taking my Rx in late afternoon, and my morning fasting blood sugar has gone up to high 140’s to low 150’s. I suspect it is the late taking of my Rx that has caused this. I will now take the Rx, as before, with my morning meal and see if my glucose reading goes down. Plus I will talk to my doctors about this. Will report later if I can find this site again.
Shirley Meyer
Houston, Texas
New Dr. diagnosed me with type 2 diabetes. All of a sudden I’m taking metformin, atorvastatin, & duloxetine. Experiencing memory loss, confusion, eyes hurt, vision problems, dizziness, dark urine. I think diet and changing your lifestyle should be the first thing the Dr suggests instead of prescribing a cocktail of medications. Diabetic education should be the second step. Then go from there.
Judi
Pennsylvania
Prescribed Atorvastin in March, glucose readings shot up 40-50 pts. immediately HA1C went from 6.2 to 7.3. Not feeling good at all. I did the research and am taking my health into my own hands. I was on fish oil and red rice yeast for years and had my cholesterol numbers under control.
Because of a pharmaceutical mandate my doctor decided I needed a statin. Well, I can’t live with the way I have been feeling and do not enjoy the increase in my numbers. It is so defeating, exercising, watching diet and sometimes depriving myself of things when the med I am taking will never let my glucose readings drop. I feel that they are going to find that statins aren’t as good as they say for diabetics.
Yosako
Spain
If your A1C has risen from 6.2 to 7.3 due to Atorvastatin then talk your doc into switching to another statin. Perhaps Pitavastatin might work for you; on some studies it was neutral as far as glucose metabolism goes.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26074315
BTW, statins lower both cholesterol AND CoQ10 levels so remember taking CoQ10 along whatever statin you take.
Judi
Pennsylvania
On March 14 my dr. talked to me about diabetes medications for people 65 and over. She said it is found to not be so necessary, as we are in the high mortality risk level. So, she cut my Victoza in half. At the same visit I was on 10 mg of Atorvastatin. She said that if I am going to take the drug, then to take the prescribed dosage of 40 mg. Instantly, my blood sugar readings increased drastically from the 115s to the 180s-190s. or worse. I just thought it was the diabetic drug decrease at first but today someone said that statins can increase your readings. I did a google search and found exactly that. So, tomorrow is an appointment, and I want my statin cut in half, allow myself some better glucose readings and take half the risk of heart and stroke. There has to be a happy medium here!!!!
Jacqueline
Indiana
I am 68 years old and exercise 5 days a week at Curves. I am overweight but losing. I have never had high blood sugar but now since I started taking atorvastatin 20mg (was 40mg) I am 6.2 blood glucose. My cholesterol has been within range for a year with diet but the doctor told me to keep taking them. Now I am diabetic with no history in my family. I am going to stop and see if my numbers go down. He should have suspected the statin since I have always had low blood sugar around 3. Thanks for this article.
Laurie
32137
Aside from the increase in blood sugar, which I also experienced when taking Lipitor (and then almost every other statin at one time or another), it is critical to know that statins also prevent CoQ10 from being made by your body. I had a fissure (crack) in my skin in a REALLY bad place….I bled when I pooped for years, with intense pain. Nothing helped.
Then I read about, and started taking CoQ10. After at least 5 years being unable to heal, the fissure stopped bleeding and began to heal WITHIN 2 WEEKS! We need CoQ10 to have good cell function, statins prevent our bodies from making it. No DRs ever told me about this and didn’t seem to be alarmed when I told them of my experience.
Ravi
Maryland
Hello: I am 64 years old. I am not overweight. I am 5’7″ and weigh 132 lbs. I was diagnosed with diabetes 14 years ago. At that time I had been takking Simvastatin 20 mg for 6 years. Little did know statin was contributor. My mother was diabetic and so I knew I could get it. In 2016 I had a heart attack. After angioplasty with stent, I started taking 40 mg Lipitor.
My A1c was still around 7. My dieticticain recommended I read Dr. Neal Barnard’s Reversing Diabetes. The concepts in the book made perfect sense. My wife and I switched to Vegan diet recommended by Dr. Barnard. We were vegetarians. Only animal product in our food was milk, cheese and yougurt. We stopped that on Dec 1, 2016 In 4 months, my A1C came down from 7.1 to 6.4. I am going to lower my lipitor to 20 mg and see the results in 3 months. I am certain it will come down. Dr. Barnard’s program also lowers cholesterol levels naturally without medication.
I recommend the readers to vist http://www.pcrm.org and sign up for 21 day Kickstart program. Stay with the program for 21 days and see the results for yourself.
Shelley
Michigan
I have just started taking Atorvastatin (about a week). I have been a diabetic for 17 years, and have not always had good control. However, recent foot surgery caused by an infected diabetic ulcer made me rethink many things in my life. I have been able to lower my A1c from more than 9 to 7.1. I still need to get below 7, but I’ve been feeling pretty good about my progress.
Since I started taking the statin, my morning blood sugars have been extremely high–over 300 on at least a couple of days. Nothing else has changed, so it seems as if it has to be the statin doing this to me. I’ve come too far and fought too hard to gain control of my blood sugars and lower my A1c to let this statin cause such a huge set back. I’ve just about decided to stop taking the Atorvastatin. I can’t afford to go back to having such high blood sugar levels. This recent foot surgery only removed a good-sized chunk of infected tissue (and a tiny piece of bone), and it took me four months to recover from it. If I can’t keep my blood sugar down, the next surgery may be to amputate my whole foot! I’m not willing to risk it.
Abdul
UAE
Please advise me on the best medication for diabetic cholesterol and blood pressure.I am 37 years old. I am doing exercise and controlling diet but still facing unhealthy problem. When blood pressure decreases, sugar increases. I don’t know whether the medicine affects adversely. Please help me, and advise me on your best medication.
Martin
Suffolk, England
I have a history of hypertension and hypertensive cardiac disease and high cholesterol. I take medication for hypertension and atorvastatin. I started with 20 mg daily, which I could not tolerate due headache and muscle pain. Reduced to 10 mg daily, in consultation with cardiologist, which I found I could tolerate. Recently after more than a year I tried to increase to the recommended dose of 20mg daily and found my fasting blood sugar increased from 5.6 average to 6.5 average. I shall reduce the dose to 10 mg and monitor fasting blood sugar carefully, who wants to live with diabetes if it is preventable?
JimP
It is becoming clear that every intervention into your body produces a side effect. For example, a baby aspirin reduces the risk of heart attacks and maybe some cancer, but it can also produce intestinal bleeding. The drug information with an Rx says something like, “Your doctor has decided that the benefits of this drug outweigh risk of side effects.” But many Drs. seem to ignore the side effects. Plus, People’s Pharmacy guests and articles have argued that there is little, if any, benefit from using statins for primary prevention. So people are being prescribed a statin drug, that will do little to prolong life, but “infects” them with diabetes, which will do a lot to shorten life and lessen the quality of life. How is this “evidence-based medicine”?
Hongly
Durham, NC
I started to take Simvastatin 10 mg in 1999. In 2010 I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Starting last year, In Jan. 2015, my left leg is in pain when I walk, move, and even sit. I cannot bend my leg.
I woke up at night crying because of pain. A month later, February, 2015, my right foot started hurting, especially the ankle! The doctor sent me for a Cat Scan, EMG, to a Neurologist, and an RH specialist. They could not find any wrong with me & said it was all because of my age! My primary doctor told me “you are depressed”(!) and prescribed me depression medication! I refused to take it.
By listening and reading People’s Pharmacy Newsletter I have learned about the side effect of Cholesterol Medication.
In June 2015, I stopped Simvastatin, and my foot pain was gone 2 months later. The pain in my leg was gradually less, and I feel much better now. I would say 95% better, and my blood sugar is down to 101-102 (fasting in the morning – before was 110-113).
I am not overweight, and I am an active 69 year-old woman. For the last 5 years, I have exercised 60 min /3 days a week and do yoga 60 min./2 days a week.
Helen M.
Modesto, CA
I hate to sound like a conspiracy-theorist (I live with one) but diabetes is a lucrative disease for the pharmacy and medical industries. Statins are the number one selling drug in the country, and the profits are enormous! The FDA is a shill for the drug companies – about a third of their operating budget comes from fees charged to big pharma, do the math.
In 2010 I decided to take myself off Lipitor: the doctor was no longer able to give me samples, and the price of the drug, when I hit the “donut hole,” was not possible to bear. I had five days of extremely low glucose readings in the mornings; in the low sixties, high fifties. Every night I decreased both my dinner shot and my bedtime shot. In less than a week I went from 60-some units of insulin a day to 40.
A year and a half ago I read the Wahls book and decided to add more greens to my diet and try to use more coconut oil. Both my Alc and insulin usage dropped, from 6.2 to 5.7 and down to under 30 units of insulin a day. Now I no longer juice nor make smoothies, and my numbers are climbing. A1c back to 6.2 and about 9 more units of insulin a day.
Juicing adds a lot to my kitchen time, tho my husband cleans the juicer, and when he complained about the juice bothering his throat and the smoothies giving him an unpleasant sensation of bloat, he also asked me to stop. So I did. Now I am rethinking it. I liked the feeling of being in such good control, without going low, and also enjoyed the weight I lost.
margaret hoeft
tucson AZ
What about Red Yeast Rice ? does it elevate Blood sugar as well?
Andy J
Cincinnati
A related issue: There have been studies (cannot specify just now) suggesting that the herb Berberine may be as effective as Metformin in lowering BS, but without the side effects. Just be sure to get a good quality brand.
Terry Graedon
The claim that it is as effective as metformin may be exaggerated.
There is some research showing it can lower blood sugar: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26132858
Mike
Triangle
6 years ago my doctor started me on Crestor for moderately elevated cholesterol. Heart disease runs in my family (although nearly all of my relatives were heavy smokers). I’ve been a runner, a vegetarian and an exercise buff most of my life. I had lots of issues with muscle cramping when I first started taking cholesterol meds. My doctor switched me to atorvastatin and the issue mostly diminished. Fast forward four years and I went in for my annual checkup. Nothing about my health, weight, diet or exercise routine had changed. My doctor and I were shocked with my lab work results that showed that my fasting glucose was 180 and my A1c was 9. I’ve been on insulin ever since and my diabetes is well controlled (A1c = 6.1) I have got to wonder about the connection to Atorvastatin. I asked my doctor about getting off of the drug but he told me that with diabetes it’s even more important to control my cholesterol. It sure seems like a catch-22 to me. I wonder about temporarily stopping the statin on my own just to see how it impacts my glucose levels. Are there non-statin options I should ask my doctor about?
DAVID
FLORIDA,USA
Diabetes means for me that small blood vessels in the eyes, feet, and hands are ravaged and destroyed with time. The term is macular degeneration. If I lose my eyesight and my feet and my hands to diabetes, then I do not care about my heart. Statins supposedly reduce the risk of heart attack ( you stay alive). What good is staying alive if diabetes has taken my sight, my hands, and my feet? The mortality for persons that have gone blind or become crippled is not good. People really just do not care to live on. Loss of the will to live.
Here is my choices: Take the statins, suffer the ravishes of diabetes on my small blood vessels, lose my sight and my feet; get horribly depressed, lose the will to live, die early in spite of statins because I just want the misery to end.
Emanuel
Four months ago my A1c was at 6.9 and glucose 115. I was taking 20 mg Simvastin. My doctor switch me to 40 mg Atorvastatin 4 months ago and my A1c went to 8.4 and glucose 120. I have not changed my diet. I am very concerned about the drastic change in my numbers