cholesterol guidelines for Type 2's

[Carina1962]

Sorry, i'm sure this has been posted before but can someone give me the cholesterol guidelines for Type 2's? ie what the HDL, LDL, Trigs and total cholesterol levels should be.

I saw my GP this morning and felt very satisfied with my visit to her. I managed to get a pot of test strips on prescription 🙂 (she told me to use them sparingly!). I also showed her my copy of the recent research on diabetes reversal from Newcastle University and instead of showing disinterest, i was surprised but pleased that she asked me for a copy so that she can read it in more detail.

Regarding my cholesterol, she said that she wants it lower than 5.6 so am due to have another blood test in 3 months time and she said if it still isn't any lower then she will review my medication and give me something else (not sure what this means as i am already on the highest 80mg dose of simvastatin so should be interesting), but overall she is pleased with my recent HBAic results 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Sounds like a good appointment, I would be interested to hear her take on the 600 cal diet research. I read an article today where a doctor was basically saying that people are being forced down medication routes when the method exists to cure them in a week. Unsurprisingly, the doctor was in the US and asking for $150 for a consultation. I can understand that a member of the general public might be misled, particularly given the way the research was reported in most places, but for a doctor to suggest that people are being denied a simple, easy, and proven cure is professionally unforgiveable.

Sorry, went off on a rant! 😱

As for cholesterol, I'm not sure of the breaksown figures, but I think the target for total chol is 4.0 or below. Your doctor may wish to try you on a different, (but probably more expensive) statin. I always thought 40mg was the maximum dose for Simvastatin anyway.

 

[Vicsetter]

I always thought 40mg was the maximum dose for Simvastatin anyway.

No it's 80 Alan, but it's the high doses that risk the side effects.

According to the MayoClinic: If you have high cholesterol, meaning your total cholesterol level is 6.22 mmol/L or higher, or your "bad" cholesterol (LDL) level is 3.68 mmol/L or higher, your doctor may recommend you begin to take a statin.
In you case you might be recommended to take Ezitemibe in addition to simvastatin or any number of more expensive statins.

The SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) guideline no. 97 specifies a total cholesterol target of 5 mmol/L. If you have additional risk of cardiovascular disease then it may be treated more aggressively.

You should also bear in mind that your GP gets paid if more of the practices patients meet the QOF guidelines of 5mmol/l. You can see the QOF targets here:http://www.cks.nhs.uk/diabetes_type_2/management/goals_and_outcome_measures/qof_indicators

 

[mcdonagh47]

Regarding my cholesterol, she said that she wants it lower than 5.6 so am due to have another blood test in 3 months time and she said if it still isn't any lower then she will review my medication and give me something else (not sure what this means as I am already on the highest 80mg dose of simvastatin so should be interesting), but overall she is pleased with my recent HBAic results 🙂

If a statin isn't getting you into the target ranges ( particularly for LDL) then adding Ezitibeme(?) and Niacin ER is often the next route. Even then some people with stubborn Chols need more than three meds to get down into safer ranges.
"Normalisation" of LDL levels is said, by those in the know, to be the most important step for diabetics in protecting against heart disease ( which is the main danger T2s are facing.)
IMHO your nurse isn't being pro-active enough, she/you need to get that 5.6 down asap.

 

[MargB]

I was told they want diabetics below 4. 80mg is the highest dose of Simvastatin so they will probably put you on something else.

Unless you could do something yourself dietwise? Small steps like changing your milk, cutting out cheese, etc.

 

[mcdonagh47]

Sorry, i'm sure this has been posted before but can someone give me the cholesterol guidelines for Type 2's? ie what the HDL, LDL, Trigs and total cholesterol levels should be.

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Shouldn't these details and other targets be a sticky, please admin ?
Part of the welcome pack ?

 

[Northerner]

Shouldn't these details and other targets be a sticky, please admin ?
Part of the welcome pack ?

Good idea, I'll add them into the 'Useful Links' thread.