Cholesterol and triglycerides levels in Thai diabetics.

ABSTRACT

One thousand, one hundred and twenty-five diabetics, aged 17-90 years (456 males, 669 females), underwent cholesterol and triglyceride determination showing the cholesterol value of 64 per cent or 717 diabetics was over 200 mg/dl and the cholesterol value of 7 per cent or 74 diabetics was lower than 200 mg/dl, but triglycerides were over 200 mg/dl, of which HDL and LDL cholesterol had been determined; and in 30 per cent of diabetics or 334 patients, the cholesterol and triglycerides values were lower than 200 mg/dl, which suggested no hyperlipidemia. From these results, the authors suggest hyperlipidemia be screened in all diabetics to prevent atherosclerosis. The clinical laboratory should have cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol available for routine check up of diabetics of prevention of atherosclerosis complications and to decrease the mortality rate of the diabetics. Primary screening of cholesterol and triglyceride tests, also HDL and LDL cholesterol, should be determined if cholesterol is over 200 mg/dl or triglycerides are over 200 mg/dl.