Type 1 Diabetes: Cholesterol Levels
Topic Overview
Cholesterol
(or lipid) problems in people with
type 1 diabetes are usually related to the lack of
insulin.
- Lack of insulin increases the level of
triglycerides. Normally, insulin makes a certain
enzyme that removes triglycerides from the blood. When insulin is used to treat high
blood sugar, the triglyceride level goes back to normal.
- A lack of
insulin (and the high blood sugar that results) raises the level of "bad"
cholesterol (LDL, or
low-density lipoprotein). It returns to normal when
insulin is given.
Data from the Diabetes Complications and Control Trial (DCCT) showed
that people with type 1 diabetes had a lower incidence of heart disease when their blood sugars were kept within a target range. 1
This does not apply to people with nephropathy, because once the
kidney starts losing even small amounts of protein, cholesterol problems begin
to develop.
References
Citations
-
Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology
of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study Research Group (2005).
Intensive diabetes treatment and cardiovascular disease in patients with type 1
diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 353(25):
2643–2653.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology |
|
Last Revised
|
October 1, 2010 |
Last Revised:
October 1, 2010
Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology
of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study Research Group (2005).
Intensive diabetes treatment and cardiovascular disease in patients with type 1
diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 353(25):
2643–2653.
