From the Guidelines
Adults should generally have their first lipid panel at the time of diabetes diagnosis, at the initial medical evaluation, and at least every 5 years thereafter in patients under the age of 40 years. This recommendation is based on the most recent and highest quality study, which suggests that lipid profiles should be obtained at the time of diagnosis, at the initial medical evaluation, and at least every 5 years thereafter in patients under the age of 40 years 1.
Key Considerations
- The lipid panel measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides, providing crucial information about cardiovascular risk.
- These measurements help healthcare providers identify individuals who might benefit from lifestyle modifications or medication to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.
- For those with abnormal results or who are taking cholesterol-lowering medications, more frequent testing may be necessary to monitor treatment effectiveness.
Special Populations
- In younger patients with longer duration of disease (such as those with youth-onset type 1 diabetes), more frequent lipid profiles may be reasonable.
- A lipid panel should also be obtained immediately before initiating statin therapy, and LDL cholesterol levels should be assessed 4–12 weeks after initiation of statin therapy, after any change in dose, and on an individual basis.
Clinical Judgment
- If LDL cholesterol levels are not responding in spite of medication adherence, clinical judgment is recommended to determine the need for and timing of lipid panels.
- Clinicians should attempt to find a dose or alternative statin that is tolerable if side effects occur, and there is evidence for benefit from even extremely low, less than daily statin doses 1.