From the Guidelines
A normal cholesterol panel is typically defined as total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL, LDL ("bad") cholesterol below 100 mg/dL, HDL ("good") cholesterol above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women, and triglycerides below 150 mg/dL, as recommended by the standards of medical care in diabetes-2021 1.
Key Components of a Normal Cholesterol Panel
- Total cholesterol: below 200 mg/dL
- LDL cholesterol: below 100 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol: above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women
- Triglycerides: below 150 mg/dL
Screening and Monitoring
According to the standards of medical care in diabetes-2020 1, adults should have their cholesterol checked every 5 years if under the age of 40 years, or more frequently if indicated. For patients with diabetes, lipid testing should be performed when initial glycemic control has been achieved and annually thereafter 1.
Importance of Cholesterol Management
Understanding your cholesterol levels is crucial because elevated LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, along with low HDL cholesterol, increase the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries), which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Cholesterol management involves lifestyle modifications like a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining healthy weight, and sometimes medication if levels remain elevated despite lifestyle changes.
Recommendations for Abnormal Lipid Levels
If lipids are abnormal, initial therapy should consist of optimizing glucose control and medical nutritional therapy to limit the amount of calories from fat to 25–30%, saturated fat to < 7%, cholesterol < 200 mg/day, avoid trans fats, and aim for < 10% calories from monounsaturated fats for elevated LDL 1. For elevated triglycerides, medical nutrition therapy should also focus on decreasing simple sugar intake and increasing dietary n-3 fatty acids in addition to the above changes.
From the Research
Normal Cholesterol Panel
A normal cholesterol panel typically includes measurements of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. The following are some key points related to a normal cholesterol panel:
- Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL 2, 3
- LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL 2, 3
- HDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higher 2, 3
- Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL 2, 3
Factors Affecting Cholesterol Levels
Several factors can affect cholesterol levels, including:
- Diet: a diet high in saturated and trans fats can raise LDL cholesterol levels 3
- Exercise: regular exercise can help raise HDL cholesterol levels 3
- Weight: being overweight or obese can raise LDL cholesterol levels and lower HDL cholesterol levels 3
- Genetics: family history can play a role in cholesterol levels 4
Treatment Options
Treatment options for high cholesterol include:
- Statins: such as atorvastatin and simvastatin, which can help lower LDL cholesterol levels 2, 3
- Ezetimibe: which can help lower LDL cholesterol levels when used in combination with statins 5
- Lifestyle changes: such as diet and exercise, which can help raise HDL cholesterol levels and lower LDL cholesterol levels 3
Comparison of Statins
Different statins have been compared in terms of their efficacy in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, including: