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Dyslipidemia Diabetes Risk Factors

Dyslipidemia is a condition marked by abnormal levels of blood cholesterol and triglycerides (the type of fat found in blood). People with or without diabetes can develop dyslipidemia, but this condition develops in and impacts diabetics somewhat differently than people without diabetes.

  1. Identification

    • Dyslipidemia in diabetics most often takes the shape of low "good" HDL cholesterol and hypertriglyceridemia (too many triglycerides), according to the American Diabetes Association.

    Features

    • The distinguishing feature of dyslipidemia in diabetics, according to the American Diabetes Association, is a high number of small and dense "bad" LDL cholesterol particles.

    Diabetic Factors

    • The risk factors for dyslipemia specifically linked to diabetes include high blood glucose, being severely overweight (obese) and being insulin resistant (or having trouble using insulin), according to Dr. Ira J. Goldberg of the Division of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

    Nondiabetic Factors

    • Diabetics may also develop dyslipidemia for apparently unrelated reasons common among the entire population including kidney disease, hypothyroidism (under action of the thyroid gland), alcohol, estrogen and genetic factors.

    Considerations

    • People with dyslipidemia are sometimes at increased risk for developing diabetes in the future, according to Dr. Ira J. Goldberg.

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