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Spacedoc Newsletter
March 3, 2009 |
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| Generic Statins |
 In today's world we all must look to get the biggest bang for our buck and in the world of statin drugs, the biggest bang is with generics. Three statins are currently available in generic form:
1) Lovastatin ( Mevacor, Altocor, Altoprev ). Lovastatin has been available as a generic statin drug since 2001.
2) Pravastatin ( Pravachol, Lipostat, Selektine ). Pravastatin has been available as a generic drug since 2006.
3) Simvastatin ( Zocor, Lipex, Simcard, Simlup ). Simvastatin has been available as a generic since 2006.
In my opinion any doctor can practice effective medicine with currently available generic statins. Pravastatin can be considered to be somewhat weaker than lovastatin and lovastatin is somewhat weaker than simvastatin, so a doctor has the full range of effectiveness.
Lipitor is not significantly more powerful than simvastatin and in my judgment, Crestor is way too powerful, so from the viewpoint of both cholesterol lowering and anti-inflammatory effects, there is already a wide choice among the generic statins. Read the full Generic Statins article here |
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Duane Graveline MD MPH
Former USAF Flight Surgeon, Former NASA Astronaut, Retired Family Doctor
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| Abnormal Thyroid Function with Statins |
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Recently it has been observed that many people on statins have been referred for special radioiodine studies because they have been found to have low to no thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in their blood tests.
The results of a recent study show that statins may falsely lower the serum TSH without altering thyroid function.
Alternatively there is another explanation. Statins may improve thyroid function in patients with hyperthyroidism if the inflammatory activity underlying the condition were suppressed by the anti-inflammatory effect of the statins.
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Duane Graveline MD MPH
Former USAF Flight Surgeon, Former NASA Astronaut, Retired Family Doctor
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| Statins and Bone Fractures |
A recent study of 107 post-menopausal women aged 45-79 years of age, found that low levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are associated with fractures of the vertebrae.
Although no mention was made of statin use, the finding that low serum cholesterol is associated with increased proneness for vertebral fractures argues strongly against the deliberate use of statins for lowering of cholesterol in older women.
The researchers reason that since cholesterol is the substrate for sex hormones such as estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, decreased LDL levels would be associated with decreased stored estrogen that likely explains the relationship between vertebral fractures and reduced serum lipids. Statin drug use can only worsen this situation.
In support of this concept are the now well-known studies of statin associated erectile dysfunction in men of all ages, showing reduced levels of testosterone and positive response either to supplemental testosterone or elimination of the offending statin. |
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| Statin Drugs |
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The recent Statin Drugs page with the chart showing statin brand names and generic names has been updated with supporting text, additional statin drugs, and more page links.
This comprehensive table lists statin drugs by name, generic name, and has links to related pages on the site.
30 Statin Drugs ( or combination medications that include a statin ) are listed by their trade name with their associated generic name.
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Duane Graveline MD MPH
Former USAF Flight Surgeon, Former NASA Astronaut, Retired Family Doctor
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| Books by Dr Duane Graveline MD MPH |
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"The Statin Damage Crisis" by Dr Duane Graveline
 Dr Graveline's third book on statins called "The Statin Damage Crisis" will be available in March.
Originally planned as a new edition to "Statin Drugs Side Effects," it will instead be released as a stand alone title so that the highly relevant material in "SDSE" will still be available.
Dr Graveline wrote the following introduction to this latest title:
Early on my NASA doctors told me my amnesia response to statins was nothing but a coincidence but I persevered to write my first book, "Lipitor, Thief of Memory" and now find that over 1,000 cases of amnesia and memory loss have been reported to the FDA, just from Lipitor alone.
Then I learned of statin damage to nerves and muscles and profound behavioral and personality changes, demanding I write a second book, "Statin Drugs Side Effects." Even this broadly encompassing book was insufficient to describe what I have learned more recently of the truly dark side of statins - their ability to alter the very fabric of our makeup.
I had long wondered why muscle and nerve damage seemed permanent and even progressive like my own ALS-like condition. Now I have found that the ultimate effect of statins on CoQ10 and dolichols is to damage the DNA of the mitochondrial life-force within our cells - mitochondrial mutation masquerading as premature old age.
Duane Graveline MD MPH
Former USAF Flight Surgeon, Former NASA Astronaut, Retired Family Doctor Visit the books page |
| Spacedoc.net |
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Articles and messages on this site are for information purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any illness, disease, or other medical condition.
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Always consult with a qualified medical professional before making medication, supplement, exercise, or lifestyle changes or decisions.
Note that no personal medical questions of any kind can or will be answered.
Duane Graveline MD MPH
Former USAF Flight Surgeon, Former NASA Astronaut, Retired Family Doctor
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Newsletter Admin
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