The objective of treating lipid disorders is to prevent instances of coronary artery disease, i.e. coronary thrombosis, stroke or atherosclerosis in the lower limbs, or to prevent a pre-existing arterial disease from getting worse.
The blood lipid levels of a person with diabetes are monitored every 1–3 years using laboratory blood tests. The general target for a person with diabetes, measured from plasma (indicated by the letter P):
P triglyceride < 1.7 mmol/l
P HDL cholesterol > 1.2 mmol/l for females and > 1.0 mmol/l for males
P LDL cholesterol < 1.4–1.8–2.5 mmol/l depending on the individual risk
P non-HDL cholesterol or total cholesterol – HDL cholesterol depending on the individual risk < 2.2–2.6–3.4 mmol/l
P ApoB < 0.65–0.80–1.0 g/l depending on the individual risk
When diabetes is first diagnosed and, if necessary, after that, a blood sample is tested for all lipid levels. The LDL cholesterol level is often used for monitoring. In the past, a fasting test was always used to check the blood lipid levels. According to the latest recommendations, they can also be checked without fasting.
The general blood LDL and non-HDL level target ranges are set according to the risk of coronary artery disease. Primarily, the target ranges are applicable to the LDL cholesterol level in plasma. There is a comprehensive body of research available proving a link between changes in it and the risk of coronary artery disease.
As a general rule, people with diabetes belong to either high or very high risk group of coronary artery disease. The blood lipid level target is also influenced by age and the length of time person has had diabetes. Coronary artery disease risk category guidelines: