Statins are one of the top choices doctors use to lower bad cholesterol. However, there’s a concern that statins might raise your blood sugar. This concern is particularly observed when used at higher doses or in people with other risk factors like obesity or high blood pressure. The risk also varies depending on the type of statin used.
In this article, you’ll learn how statins work, why they’re linked to diabetes, and what you can do to manage the risks.
| 🔑Key Takeaways ➤ High-potency statins are more strongly connected to an increased diabetes risk. ➤ Obesity, high blood pressure, or certain genetic traits face a greater chance of developing diabetes while taking statins. ➤ Statins may cause insulin resistance and reduce insulin secretion. ➤ Experts agree that the heart benefits of statins usually outweigh the slight increase in diabetes risk. ➤ Lifestyle changes can help lower your diabetes risk while on statins. ➤ Monitoring your blood sugar, especially when taking statins, is very important. |
What are Statins?
Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide for managing high cholesterol. According to experts, statins lower your LDL(bad) and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. They even protect your arteries by reducing plaque buildup, stabilizing existing plaques, decreasing inflammation, and lowering blood clot risks.
The doctors prescribe statins as the first choice to prevent heart attacks and strokes. But studies have also noted that statins can cause a rise in blood sugar, sparking concerns about their link with type 2 diabetes.
The Link Between Statins and Diabetes
Research now clearly shows a strong connection between statins and diabetes risk.
Early findings showed that 139 of nearly 6,000 participants developed diabetes while on statins. Later trials consistently confirmed this link. For example, the drug rosuvastatin raised diabetes cases by 26%.
In 2010, a meta-analysis examined data from over 91,000 people and saw a 9% higher diabetes risk with statins. High-potency statins, such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, showed an even higher risk. In 2011, another meta-analysis with 32,752 participants reported that these potent statins increased diabetes risk by about 12%.
Observational studies further confirmed these findings. A study in 2013 reported atorvastatin increased diabetes risk by 22%, rosuvastatin by 18%, and simvastatin by 10%.
Another research found even greater increases: rosuvastatin raised diabetes risk by 42% and atorvastatin by 25%. Also, a study conducted by the Women’s Health Initiative and involving 161,808 postmenopausal women without diabetes found statins increased diabetes risk by 48%.
More recent studies continue to support these findings. A study, tracking 8,749 Finnish men for six years, found that men taking statins had a 46% higher risk of developing diabetes. This risk was particularly noticeable with simvastatin and atorvastatin and increased with higher doses.
Additionally, a study in 2019 involving a large number of US veterans, over 3 million, reported diabetes risks rising with stronger statins, 34% with high-strength statins versus 21%–22% with lower doses.
| ✂️ In Short Statins, especially high-potency ones like atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, are linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes—likely because they impair how the body handles blood sugar and insulin, particularly at higher doses or in vulnerable groups like older adults and postmenopausal women. |
Factors Affecting the Link Between Statins and Diabetes
The diabetes risk from statins isn’t the same for everyone. Several factors influence your risk.
- Strength and Dosage of the Statin
The intensity and dosage of statin therapy play a significant role in the development of diabetes. Higher-intensity statins are more strongly associated with increased diabetes risk compared to moderate or low-intensity statins.
One meta-analysis found that the risk of developing diabetes increased by 12% in those receiving high-intensity statins, such as atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin, compared to those on moderate doses.
A study conducted in 2019 reported that a clear dose-response relationship was observed:
- Low-potency statins increased the risk of incident T2D by 21%,
- Medium potency by 22%, and
- High-potency statins (e.g., simvastatin ≥80 mg, atorvastatin ≥40 mg, rosuvastatin ≥10 mg) by 34%, when compared to no statin use.
The findings of the studies conducted led to the FDA’s 2012 decision to revise statin safety labeling, requiring warnings about the increased risk of elevated blood glucose and new-onset diabetes, especially in the context of high-dose therapy.
- Existing Diabetes Risk Factors
Your chances of developing diabetes with statins increase if you have the following conditions:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar High triglycerides
- Low HDL cholesterolAge over 45 years
A study found that people with these risk factors had a diabetes rate of 14.3% with high-dose statins compared to 11.9% on lower doses.
Aside from the mentioned risk factors, your genes may influence your diabetes risk. A genetic variant, HMGCR rs17238484-G, increases the risk of diabetes, body weight, and insulin levels when using statins. Although these genetic changes are small, they support a clear biological link between statins and diabetes.
| 💡Did you know? About 77% carry at least one copy of the HMGCR rs17238484-G allele. It is a genetic variant linked to both lower LDL cholesterol and a slightly higher risk of type 2 diabetes. This variant is common across diverse populations, meaning a large portion of statin users may be genetically predisposed to experience both the benefits and risks associated with statin therapy. |
Mechanisms of Statin-Induced Insulin Resistance
How exactly do statins lead to diabetes?
The suspected mechanism is through development of insulin resistance and reduced insulin secretion. A study reported that statins decreased insulin sensitivity by 24% and insulin secretion by 12%. This report is supported by a clinical trial in 2021, which showed similar results after participants took atorvastatin daily for 10 weeks.
At the cellular level, statins affect how your body handles insulin. A study showed statins interfere with insulin signals in muscles, reducing glucose uptake.
Additional studies found statins increased certain compounds linked to insulin resistance. Other research demonstrated that simvastatin and rosuvastatin particularly raised insulin resistance, even in people without blood sugar problems.
| ✂️In short Statins can cause insulin resistance by disrupting insulin signaling and reducing muscle glucose uptake. They also lower insulin secretion. Statins like atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin significantly reduce insulin sensitivity, even in people without prior blood sugar issues. |
Clinical Recommendations and Implications
Despite the diabetes risks, statins remain essential medications for heart health. Experts say that although statins can slightly raise blood sugar, their benefits in preventing heart disease usually outweigh this concern. Dr. Sunder agrees to this, noting that untreated high cholesterol poses a far greater risk than developing diabetes from statins.
To address the risk of diabetes, the FDA updated statin labels in 2012. These labels warn patients about potential blood sugar increases and diabetes risk.
It is worth noting that although randomized trials show moderate-intensity statins raise diabetes risk by around 11%, and high-intensity statins add another 12%, this only translates to roughly one extra diabetes case for every 100–200 statin users over five years. This pales in comparison to the significantly greater heart benefits from statins.
Lifestyle changes can also help lower diabetes risk while on statins. This includes:
- Regular exercise
- Healthy eating
- Weight management
These steps can significantly reduce this risk. Doctors usually advise checking blood sugar regularly, especially HbA1c levels, after starting statin treatment.
Final Words
Statins are a trusted tool for lowering cholesterol and preventing heart disease. But their link to higher blood sugar and type 2 diabetes is now well-documented. The risk depends on several factors, including statin type, dosage, and health profile.
The benefits of statins often outweigh the risks, especially in those with a high chance of developing a heart attack or stroke. Staying active, eating well, and monitoring blood sugar can make a difference. With the right plan, staying protected from heart disease is possible without losing control over your blood sugar.
FAQs About Statins and Diabetes
Should I stop taking statins if I’m worried about diabetes?
No. Talk to your doctor first. They might adjust your dose, switch your statin, or suggest lifestyle changes to lower your diabetes risk.
How do statins raise diabetes risk?
They may make your body less sensitive to insulin and lower insulin production. Over time, this can raise your blood sugar levels.
What can I do to stay safe while taking statins?
Eat healthy, stay active, keep a healthy weight, and monitor your blood sugar. These steps help lower your diabetes risk and support your heart health.
Can switching to a lower-dose statin lower my diabetes risk?
Yes. Lower-dose or moderate-intensity statins like pravastatin and fluvastatin are linked to a smaller increase in diabetes risk compared to high-dose statins.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). Statins and diabetes: What you should know. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/statins-diabetes.html
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024, August 14). What’s the connection between statins and diabetes? Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/statins-and-diabetes-connection
- Laakso, M., & Fernandes Silva, L. (2023). Statins and risk of type 2 diabetes: Mechanism and clinical implications. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, Article 1239335. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1239335
- Sattar, N. (2023). Statins and diabetes: What are the connections? Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 37(3), Article 101749. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beem.2023.101749
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2025, March 11). Statin side effects: Weigh the benefits and risks. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013
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