{"product_id":"paul-d-thompson-statin-autoimmune-myopathy-16","title":"Statins \u0026 autoimmune myopathy 16","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMuscle Weakness on a Statin: Warning Signs and Autoimmune Myopathy\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eJump To Section\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#warning-signs\"\u003eMuscle symptoms that need prompt attention\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#immune-reaction\"\u003eAn immune reaction against HMG-CoA reductase\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#blood-test-diagnosis\"\u003eDiagnosis with a blood test\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#full-transcript\"\u003eFull Transcript\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"warning-signs\"\u003eMuscle symptoms that need prompt attention\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuscle weakness is the statin symptom to worry about, cardiologist Dr. Paul D. Thompson, MD, tells Dr. Anton Titov, MD. People with weakness, especially profound weakness, should stop the statin and get in touch with their doctor right away, he says. A lot of pain on a statin can also be a sign of muscle breakdown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe describes this as rare, one in 5,000 to one in 10,000 statin-treated people, but something to be aware of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"immune-reaction\"\u003eAn immune reaction against HMG-CoA reductase\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cause lies in how statins work, Dr. Thompson explains. Statins bind to HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that makes cholesterol, and make it inoperative. Some people treated with a statin then make what he calls an allergy against the enzyme and start attacking their own muscle. The process does not stop, he says, and it often does not go away without suppressing the immune system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"blood-test-diagnosis\"\u003eDiagnosis with a blood test\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStatin-associated autoimmune myopathy is diagnosed with a blood test. Dr. Thompson says doctors can measure anti-HMG-CoA reductase antibodies in the blood, and finding them makes the diagnosis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"full-transcript\"\u003eFull Transcript\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Anton Titov, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e Muscle weakness on a statin, statin-associated autoimmune myopathy. You were first author of a review of statin side effects. On your blog you wrote that ordinary statin muscle symptoms do not usually cause muscle weakness. Weakness, or symptoms that persist after the statin is stopped, can signal a rare autoimmune muscle disease. Professor Thompson, which muscle symptoms on a statin need urgent medical attention? How is statin-associated autoimmune myopathy diagnosed and treated?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e The thing to worry about with a statin is that if you have muscle weakness, especially if it is profound, you need to stop the statin and get in touch with your doctor right away. Also, a lot of pain on a statin can be a sign of muscle breakdown. So those are the things I tell people to worry about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e Now, does it happen? Rarely. One in 5,000, one in 10,000 statin-treated subjects, but it is something you at least want to be aware of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e If you really have muscle symptoms of weakness, stop the statin and talk it over with your doctor right away. Now, it is due to the fact that statins bind with HMG-CoA reductase. HMG-CoA reductase is the enzyme that makes cholesterol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e Statins bind to it. They make it inoperative. Some people make an allergy against HMG-CoA reductase once they are treated with a statin, and they start attacking their own muscle with this protein, with this allergic protein.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e It does not stop. It does not go away often without suppressing your immune system. How is it diagnosed?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e We actually can measure anti-HMG-CoA reductase antibodies in the blood. So it is diagnosed by a blood test showing that you have antibodies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Diagnostic Detectives Network","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48388650926236,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0599\/5449\/5644\/files\/2225155897-3d941b823caa00a87cc9d86b0046bd33276706d859d155b54e71c9cb780d4f3c-d_1920x1080_94a26d6c-6b5f-4c92-9356-82d6773be191.jpg?v=1794435424","url":"https:\/\/diagnosticdetectives.com\/de\/products\/paul-d-thompson-statin-autoimmune-myopathy-16","provider":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}