Type 2 Diabetes: Cholesterol Levels
Abnormal levels of fats (lipids) in the blood are twice as
common in people with
type 2 diabetes as in people who do not have the
disease.
Obesity,
insulin resistance, and high levels of insulin cause
several lipid abnormalities.
-
Total cholesterol and
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) blood levels can be
normal to high.
-
Triglyceride blood levels are usually
elevated.
-
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) blood
level is usually low.
- Blood levels of lipoprotein a (Lp a), a type
of LDL, are also increased in people who have diabetes. Lp a has been shown to be a
risk factor for heart disease in people who do not have diabetes. But its
relationship to heart disease in people with diabetes is unknown.
The combination of low HDL and high LDL puts people who have
diabetes at higher risk for
macrovascular disease. These cholesterol abnormalities
can improve with good control of blood sugar levels.
Regular exercise and weight loss can improve your cholesterol levels. Lack of exercise is linked with higher triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol. Taking
medicines called statins can further reduce the level of LDL.
|
By
| Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
| Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism |
|
Last Revised
| July 1, 2011 |
Last Revised:
July 1, 2011
