Pitavastatin

[keengkong]

FYI this is some pretty basic info that's the first entry on a google search

I didn't even make it to the first official entry. The Google AI answered the question:

 

[BigDadd7]

Wait until you put it in chatgpt

 

[Ghoul]

What is SHBG?

SHBG binds circulating testosterone, preventing it from being eliminated from the body too quickly. It acts as a slow-release reservoir that stabilizes free-testosterone levels over time. As free testosterone drops, SHBG releases testosterone.

It also binds Estrogen and DHT and regulates them the same way,

This keeps levels of all three hormones stable, preventing side effect inducing spikes.

Also it's a potent indicator of metabolic health. High-normal levels of SHBG are associated with a ton of good health conditions, psychological well being, and even lower all cause mortality.

Low levels suggest the opposite, connected to everything from fatty liver, early onset dementia. diabetes, all the way to premature death.

 

[keengkong]

SHBG binds circulating testosterone, preventing it from being eliminated from the body too quickly. It acts as a slow-release reservoir that stabilizes free-testosterone levels over time. As free testosterone drops, SHBG releases testosterone.

It also binds Estrogen and DHT and regulates them the same way,

This keeps levels of all three hormones stable, preventing side effect inducing spikes.

Also it's a potent indicator of metabolic health. High-normal levels of SHBG are associated with a ton of good health conditions, psychological well being, and even lower all cause mortality.

Low levels suggest the opposite, connected to everything from fatty liver, early onset dementia. diabetes, all the way to premature death.

As to the question why I didn't look up the answer, I received a much better answer here than I received on Google.

 

[Superchicken]

That type of stupid insurance stuff makes me angry. I could only get a limited number of Cialis (tadalafil) pills through my insurance. But I get generic and pay myself GoodRx, I can get tadalafil for not that expensive. I just started buying it for even less from PCT 24X7. I did see another post that says that since pitavastatin is generic, insurance may be more willing to cover it now. I don't see my cardiologist for about two months.

I had hyperemesis with 3 of my 4 pregnancies, and even with a fancy PPO, my insurance would only cover 7 days worth of zofran. I spent the rest of the time going to the ER, because that’s definitely cheaper. Eventually found a group of moms who shared meds.

 

[AlexDavis43]

I had hyperemesis with 3 of my 4 pregnancies, and even with a fancy PPO, my insurance would only cover 7 days worth of zofran. I spent the rest of the time going to the ER, because that’s definitely cheaper. Eventually found a group of moms who shared meds.

these groups are everywhere

 

[Wizbang]

these groups are everywhere

View attachment 352555

Just need to find one for cilnidipine haha

 

[AlexDavis43]

Just need to find one for cilnidipine haha

I bet you can! They're usually for drugs that aren't conveniently/easily/inexpensively acquired via usual means

...but I guess that's full circle back to ordering India meds online, where we are in this case

 

[Superchicken]

these groups are everywhere

View attachment 352555

I learned that moms have and share a lot of illicit drugs. My youngest is 12, so I’m far from them now, but shit was wild.

 

[AlexDavis43]

I learned that moms have and share a lot of illicit drugs. My youngest is 12, so I’m far from them now, but shit was wild.

The Xanax and Adderall trade in suburbia is hilarious

Also Lunesta

Like, wtaf ??

 

[keengkong]

The Xanax and Adderall trade in suburbia is hilarious

Also Lunesta

Like, wtaf ??

Don't knock Adderall. By the way, after over 20 years of taking Adderall, about a year and a half ago, when I showed up for a psychiatrist's appointment, I was asked to take a urine test beforehand. I do in fact have ADHD. I didn't understand the reason for the test. Of course, I would test positive for amphetamines because I was taking them with a prescription. I just couldn't figure it out. I then had my appointment with a psychiatrist. He said that he gave me the test because he was receiving government pressure to give those tests. He said one reason for the test was to make sure that I wasn't using other controlled substances. He said the other reason was to make sure that I wasn't selling the drugs. It never would have occurred to me to not take my Adderall and sell it.

As to Xanax, generally speaking, if a person has an anxiety problem and wants to to treat it through medication, an antidepressant is a more effective solution although it won't bring immediate relief.

Sleeping pills are ineffective for long term relief. Taking them also greatly increases a person's chances of premature death. When my sleep apnea doctor told me stop taking Ambien, I had a tough time for about a month. Since that time many years ago, I have slept about as well off the Ambien as when I was on it.

 

[AlexDavis43]

Don't knock Adderall. By the way, after over 20 years of taking Adderall, about a year and a half ago, when I showed up for a psychiatrist's appointment, I was asked to take a urine test beforehand. I do in fact have ADHD. I didn't understand the reason for the test. Of course, I would test positive for amphetamines because I was taking them with a prescription. I just couldn't figure it out. I then had my appointment with a psychiatrist. He said that he gave me the test because he was receiving government pressure to give those tests. He said one reason for the test was to make sure that I wasn't using other controlled substances. He said the other reason was to make sure that I wasn't selling the drugs. It never would have occurred to me to not take my Adderall and sell it.

Not knocking adderall or judging in any way

Interesting point

Maybe moms are giving their kids half the addy dose and trading the other half? But wouldn't really expect kids to be getting tested for drugs to ensure they're actually on amphetamines...

 

[keengkong]

Not knocking adderall or judging in any way

Interesting point

Maybe moms are giving their kids half the addy dose and trading the other half? But wouldn't really expect kids to be getting tested for drugs to ensure they're actually on amphetamines...

About 15 years ago, the data was quite clear that people with ADHD functioned better while taking on stimulants. The recent research is much more equivocal because it looks at long-term outcomes. However, the data on long-term outcomes is suspect because it comes from observational data as opposed to randomized controlled trials. I'm convinced that taking Adderall XR is the right choice for me. I make no claims for anyone else.

 

[Superchicken]

The Xanax and Adderall trade in suburbia is hilarious

Also Lunesta

Like, wtaf ??

Those are mild compared to what they were doing. I mean the upper and downer abuse was rampant and accepted, but the drugs of choice were illegal and predominantly uppers. Wide acceptance, akin to mommy’s little helper. There wasn’t as much of the ‘mommy wine culture’ like now, but there were weekly mimosa or margarita play dates and they’d be on something. I was just surprised by how open they were and women talk a lot so it’s not like anything was a secret.

The best part is they used terrible code to talk about it on Facebook, but any talk of swapping real pharma like the zofran was private. LOL

 

[Laxman3221]

Have you checked your LDL-P to see where it’s at? The discordance between LDL and ApoB often points to insulin resistance. I ask because mine were discordant and my insulin was 9.4. That’s well within range, but I follow Peter Attia’s advice that optimal is no higher than 5. I had to dig to figure it out, because drs said it’s just fine.

Also this may be of use, it says LDL to ApoB ratio is a better indicator than ApoB alone. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratio... : Coronary Artery Disease

I assume if you’ve been aware of those numbers and left it untreated that you’re wary of statins because of how they’ve been demonized. I found this podcast episode to be insightful and it discussed common misconceptions. My husband was in the ‘never statin camp’ until he listened to it.


View: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-peter-attia-drive/id1400828889?i=1000688421241

I was just asking a question for knowledge.

My total was 173(116), apob 101, lpa 43, tri 114(145), hdl 34(28), ldlc 118(62) (3 month prior mid cycle test/deca)

This is after I stopped rosuvastatin 40 6-8 weeks ago. i feel better off of it.

I wanted to see what my natural numbers were, but I'm a diabetic so...

I have an RX of ex i just received and will ask for pita if that doesn't lower it back down or follow ghouls way to get the injectable.

getting another calcium score in a few days, 5 years ago it was zero.

 

[Avies48]

If anyone needs inspiration, my lipids from September 2024:

View attachment 352358

To September 2025:

View attachment 352359

This is with Pitavastatin 4, Ezetimebe, and Repatha. The Repatha is only adding 10-12% more improvement to the other two though.

After these, and stress echo + CPET results were sent, my preventative cardiologist added a note:

"You have undergone a complete cardiometabolic risk inversion. From a 10-year ASCVD risk near 18%, you now present with optimal blood pressure, an LDL profile in the lowest 0.1% of the population, and endurance-level aerobic fitness. Your current risk is ~2%, likely closer to 1% or less in reality. It's one of the most dramatic reversals of cardiovascular risk I've ever seen."

Not noted here is my A1C 4.8%, and my HS-CRP (systemic / arterial) inflammation dropping from 3.0 (normal for a 65+ year old, not 50) down to 0.4, expected in an early 20's athlete.

I'm well into maximum plaque regression and stabilization territory, as lipids move out of my arteries, and the remaining material turns into a tough fibrous cap not susceptible to rupturing and causing a blockage.

For context, this is on 200mg / wk Test-C, 4iu rHGH, and a diet high in saturated fat (mostly from meat, whole eggs, but also full fat dairy, coconut milk, etc).

View attachment 352370

Other meds are: 15mg Tirz, 40mg Telmisartan , 20mg Cilnidipine, 10mg Cialis, 100mcg T4, 5mg Selegiline. Supplements are multivitamin, K2+D3, Magnesium Threonate, Taurine, Creatine.

Yup and no bp acid as well, thats pretty awesome and im hoping mine with resemble this as well when i get my cholesterol meds from india… maybe hit up telyrx first so i can get the ezite, repatha and pitva to get started

U like tirz over reta? Due to reta hitting too many things? Or is there another reasoning? Cilinidipine? For what? And are u on gh as well?

 

[egruberman]

"You have undergone a complete cardiometabolic risk inversion. From a 10-year ASCVD risk near 18%, you now present with optimal blood pressure, an LDL profile in the lowest 0.1% of the population, and endurance-level aerobic fitness. Your current risk is ~2%, likely closer to 1% or less in reality. It's one of the most dramatic reversals of cardiovascular risk I've ever seen."

Not noted here is my A1C 4.8%, and my HS-CRP (systemic / arterial) inflammation dropping from 3.0 (normal for a 65+ year old, not 50) down to 0.4, expected in an early 20's athlete.

I'm well into maximum plaque regression and stabilization territory, as lipids move out of my arteries, and the remaining material turns into a tough fibrous cap not susceptible to rupturing and causing a blockage.

What the fucking hell?!? Last year we discussed some of these things "for a friend". Guess your friend had some success.

I am elated to see these results.

 

[egruberman]

getting another calcium score in a few days, 5 years ago it was zero.

If you get a non-zero result and you really can't tolerate a statin, see how you do with ezetimibe and bempedoic acid and maybe also figure out a way to get a PCSK9i

 

[Ghoul]

What the fucking hell?!? Last year we discussed some of these things "for a friend". Guess your friend had some success.

I am elated to see these results.

All credit to you brother for sparking my interest in finally dealing with my long neglected lipids!

You know what they say about no one being as zealous as a convert

It's gotten to the point I have to educate clinicians (on Pitavastatin, on the "lower for longer is better" lipidologist consensus on LDL). It's gotten downright hostile. I feel like I'm arguing with people who'd rather shave years off my life then update their knowledge. Only preventative cardiologists understand me lol.

As an aside, the huge drop in systemic inflammation that's a side effect of Pita and a better lipid profile generally has made *everything* better. No joint pain. Less brain fog, more energy. One impediment to getting people to deal with their elevated cholesterol is that good or bad, nothing can be "felt".

Inflammation reduction is an underappreciated reward for tackling it.

 

[Ghoul]

I was just asking a question for knowledge.

My total was 173(116), apob 101, lpa 43, tri 114(145), hdl 34(28), ldlc 118(62) (3 month prior mid cycle test/deca)

This is after I stopped rosuvastatin 40 6-8 weeks ago. i feel better off of it.

I wanted to see what my natural numbers were, but I'm a diabetic so...

I have an RX of ex i just received and will ask for pita if that doesn't lower it back down or follow ghouls way to get the injectable.

getting another calcium score in a few days, 5 years ago it was zero.

Go for Repatha. Keep Pitavastatin in your back pocket for now. Most of the time you're required to "fail" two statins, as well as ezetimebe before Repatha is authorized. I assume you told your doc rosuvastatin was intolerable. Tell them you understand how crucial it is to lower your LDL and would like to try Repatha, but believe you have to try at least two statins first. Let him prescribe whatever, After a week or two call and report the second one is causing intolerable symptoms as well, If they make you try ezetimebe on its own, and then have your lipids checked, stop taking it 10 days before the test, You need to prove it's insufficient to bring your numbers into the guideline range (it probobly is, but you want to ensure that). After this you should be able to get Repatha.

Once the Repatha is prescribed, you're all set. Take it with ezetimebe and start pressing for Pitavastatin. One good argument is that it has a neutral or positive effect on a1c. A completely "diabetic safe" statin.

This triple combo will completely halt progression of plaque, and start to reverse it. Especially as a diabetic, if it remains high after starting Pita, lowering HS-CRP will be the next major risk factor to tackle, to prevent inflammation induced "pimples" from forming within the plaque that can destabilize it and cause
pieces to break off.