High cholesterol

[Lozzle94]

Since being on the pump my hba1c is 46! (Hba1c in the 70s when on injections) However my nurse has said we need to have a chat about my cholesterol as it’s still high. Type 1 for over 10 years, does anyone else have high cholesterol? And are you on statins? I ran a half marathon last summer and still keep fit and run 5ks so found this very upsetting! Im a size 8/10 and I don’t smoke or drink either Xx

 

[bulkbiker]

What was your full lipid panel breakdown?..
Is your nurse qualified to discuss cholesterol levels with you?
How long had you fasted before the bloods were taken?

Important questions that should be answered before you start on a new medication.

 

[ert]

The new advice for diabetics is that that want total cholesterol below 4 mmol/L. Mine is around 5 mmol/L (total recommended for non-diabetics) which upsets my specialist and GP. I told them to look at my HbA1c and consider me as normal. They're still not happy with me either.

 

[MarkMunday]

I stopped worrying about cholesterol a while ago. My cholesterol is made in my liver for very good reasons, including maintenance and repair of muscle. Yes, doctors keep offering statins but I won't take them because I don't want to second-guess my liver. My cholesterol is what it needs to be. The only people who benefit from statins anyway are middle aged men who have already had a heart attack. The adverse effects can be debilitating.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I agree you need to get the full cholesterol and lipid panel before deciding anything. That means Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. Without those elements neither you nor your nurse can decide what to do. You also need to fast before a cholesterol test or the results can be skewed.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. First your cholesterol level has little to do with your diabetes so GP/DNs should not be allowed to join the two up. The 4 mmol level for diabetics is not new and is a NICE guide using a figure taken from thin air. Your Total cholesterol figure is not really relevant and your GP and Specialist should know that it's the various lipids ratios that matter (when will these experts keep up?). So ask for a full lipids panel using fasting and then look at the results and decide whether statins are needed.