Cholesterol in diabetes

What is cholesterol?

It is a chemical in your blood. Some of it comes from fat in food you eat. Most is made in the liver. It is important because for some people treatment to lower cholesterol will prevent serious heart problems or stroke.

What should my cholesterol level be?

Ideas have changed over the last 10 years and will continue to change as doctors do more research. 

It has become clear that cholesterol on it's own is not a major problem unless you also have other problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease.

It is measure in units of mmol/l.  Typical reading vary from 3 up to 10. Most people are between 4 and 7 mmol/l.

In people with diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure the cholesterol level should be as low as possible, ideally near 3-4mmol/l.

What can I do about my cholesterol level?

Most people can achieve a small reduction by cutting back the amount of fat they eat and maybe eating the new spreads such as Benechol.

We are now starting to recommend tablets called statins for anyone over the age of about 60 with a cholesterol  of more than 3.5mmol/ if they have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.

Which are the statin drugs and what do they do

Simvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin and atorvastatin are drugs that reduce the amount of cholesterol made in the liver. They are very effective and most people who try them will get a good reduction in their cholesterol.

As with any tablet statins can cause stomach upset or rashes. Serious side effects are rare although they can cause muscle pains.