simvastatin and potassium level

[moorgate]

I have been taking simvastatin 10 mg per day for 5 years. On a recent blood test my potassium level was above normal. I stopped taking simvastatin. After 3 months I took another blood test and now my cholesterol  level has risen to 6.5. What shall I do. I am seeing my Doctor next week.

[Stentman43]

R u guys sure about these cholesterol readings b/c I'm a RN and never heard of readings like that.  You have your good cholesterol HDL which should be just over 50, then your bad LDL which should be under 100 and then your total cholesterol which should be under 200 preferably around 100.  Hope this helps you guys.  Potassium level should be 3.5 to 5.3.  Either high or low can be life threatening

[ed34]

Your cholesterol is obviously high, so perhaps trying a different brand of statin would be a good idea. I take atorvastatin with no problems, and the highest allowed dosage of 80mg. My cholesterol was 9.7 and is now around 3.8