the effects of cholesterol lowering drugs on vitamin d status in familial hypercholesterolemia patients

Background: familial high blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) is a common disease that involves many complications for patients. the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs (gemfibrozil and atorvastatin) on the level of serum vitamin d. materials and methods: in this study, the 25-hydroxy vitamin d levels were evaluated in 65 women between 30-55 years of age. after receiving drug information of patients, cholesterol-lowering medication; gemfibrozil and atorvastatin were prescribed by a specialist, then vitamin d and cholesterol levels were measured following 9 month treatment. also 30 patients consumed vitamin d supplements plus medicine regularly. results: in the first stage, vitamin d levels in subjects are quite normal but their cholesterol levels were higher than normal. in the second stage, vitamin d levels were measured after 9 months use of gemfibrozil and atorvastatin. accordingly, cholesterol levels decreased significantly due to the use of blood cholesterol-lowering drugs (p=0.021). also, in this stage the level of vitamin d showed a severe and significant reduction (p=0.041). however, there were no significant reductions in vitamin d in 30 women who consumed vitamin d supplements plus medicine (p=0.073). conclusion: it seems that taking cholesterol-lowering medicines have reduced the amount of vitamin d. with long-term use of medications, bone diseases such as osteoporosis can be predicted in these individuals. therefore, taking supplements and food rich in vitamin d during the use of these drugs is recommended.