Type 2 Diabetes - Lower My Cholesterol. Who Says So

One of the many things you learn when you get a Type two diabetes diagnosis is that heart disease comes along with it. Those with diabetes have a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease. This can then lead to heart attack or stroke and could be deadly. That is why it is vital to maintain cholesterol levels in the healthy limits. It is a scientifically accepted fact that when the cholesterol of a individual with Type II Diabetes gets out of control, their likelihood of having cardiovascular health problems will be out of control as well. Moderate your cholesterol as soon as you can.

What are healthy cholesterol ranges for those with type 2 diabetes? They are actually the same for everyone. Cholesterol health tests check for four things: your total cholesterol level, your HDL level, your LDL level, and a person's triglyceride level. Let’s have a look at the total cholesterol level first. The healthy range for total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dl (5.2 mmol/l) as long as your other levels are also healthy as well. If the total is between 200 and 239 mg/dl (5.2 - 6.2 mmol/l), you are in the borderline area of having high cholesterol. If one's total level is 240 mg/dl (6.2 mmol/l) or higher, you officially have high cholesterol.

Monitoring your HDL and LDL numbers imperative to those people with type 2 Diabetes.

HDL is considered the good type of cholesterol. You want those numbers to be higher instead of lower. Your HDL number above 60 mg/dl (1.6 mmol/l) falls in the good range. If you are a woman, if your HDL is between 50 and 60 mg/dl (1.3 - 1.6 mmol/l), you are at risk for high cholesterol. If you are a male, if your HDL is between 40 and 50 mg/dl (1.03- 1.3), you are definitely at risk for high cholesterol. Below 40 mg/dl (1.03 mmol/l) and anyone is in the danger zone.

LDL is the bad cholesterol. The lower your number goes the better. The best news is if your LDL is below 100 mg/dl (2.6 mmol/l). If your numbers fall between 100 and 129 mg/dl (2.6 - 3.3 mmol/l), it is not optimal, but no real worries. If it falls between 130 and 159 mg/dl (3.3 - 4.1 mmol/l), you are in the borderline area. If it falls between 160 and 189 mg/dl (4.1 - 4.9 mmol/l), you officially have high cholesterol. If it is above 190 mg/dl (4.9 mmol/l), you are in the danger zone.

Triglycerides are a form of fat that often rises when cholesterol rises. That is why doctors measure it along with cholesterol levels in those with type 2 diabetes. The lower your number goes the better off you will be. If your triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dl (1.7 mmol/l), you are definitely in the good range. If they fall between 150 and 199 mg/dl (1.7 - 2.25 mmol/l) , that is the borderline number. If they fall between 200 and 499 mg/dl (2.25 -5.6 mmol/l), you have high numbers. Over 500 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l), you are in the danger zone.