Have you ever been told that you have bad or unhealthy cholesterol levels? If so, your doctor might have used the term “dyslipidemia” to describe your condition.
Dyslipidemia covers more than just bad cholesterol, however. It also describes an excess of triglycerides— components of fats and oils—in your blood.
What is dyslipidemia?
A person with dyslipidemia has abnormal levels of lipids—such as cholesterol and triglycerides— in their blood.
Cholesterol comes in many forms:
- HDL is known as “good” cholesterol. Women with diabetes should keep their HDL levels above 50 mg/dl; above 40 mg/dl for men.
- LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol. Statin medications, in particular, can help lower LDL levels.
Triglycerides are components of fats and oils:
- High triglyceride levels are considered above 150 mg/dl
- Levels higher than 500 mg/dl are considered dangerously high
Persons with diabetic dyslipidemia have the worst of every category: not enough good cholesterol, too much bad cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides.
How is dyslipidemia treated?
Treatment always begins with healthy lifestyle changes. If you have dyslipidemia, your health care provider might arrange for you to meet with a nutritionist.
In the meantime, follow these simple tips for improving your cholesterol:
- Start by looking at the nutritional facts on your food packaging
- To improve your LDL, make sure that no more than 35% of your calories come from total fats, and no more than 7% of your calories come from saturated fats
- Exercise, weight loss, and tight blood glucose control will help
- If healthy lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your health care provider might recommend medications such as statins, niacin, fibrates, or fish oil to improve your lipid levels
Good to Know
Dyslipidemia greatly increases your risk of complications from diabetes such as heart attack or stroke, particularly as you get older. Regular cholesterol screenings and a healthy lifestyle are keys to prevention.
