Not many people understand the connection between triglyceride levels and diabetes. Triglycerides account for 99% of the fat stored in our bodies. These fats serve as long-term energy sources for the body. Insulin moves both glucose and triglycerides from your bloodstream into your cells. High triglyceride levels may indicate that your cells are insulin resistant and that you may be at risk of type 2 diabetes, according to LiveStrong.com.
Triglyceride levels in diabetes patients are of a high concern. When insulin cannot move the triglycerides out of a person’s bloodstream it puts that person at risk of many types of complications. These include cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, nerve damage, and pancreatitis.
Concerning high triglyceride levels and diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends keeping your triglyceride levels below 150 mg/dl. Recommended ways of doing so include:
- Keeping control of your blood glucose levels
- Limiting your intake of saturated fats
- Getting more fiber in your diet
- Eating more fatty fish
- Losing excess weight
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes
Lifestyle measures may not be enough to keep your triglyceride levels and diabetes under control, according to DiabetesSelfManagement.com. Your doctor might prescribe fibric acid derivatives, such as fenofibrate and gemfibrozil. Prescription niacin, such as Niaspan is also sometimes used to lower triglyceride levels in diabetes. Other drugs which may be prescribed are:
- Lipitor
- Torvast
- Lescol
- Mevacor
- Altocor
- Altoprev
- Prevachol
- Selektine
- Lipostat
- Crestor
- Zocor
- Lipez
Triglyceride levels, diabetes, and neuropathy
Until recently, doctors have lacked ways of predicting who is the most at risk of developing diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage). That may soon change. Studies show that high levels of triglycerides, particularly in diabetics, are an indication of neuropathic risks. In one study titled Elevated Triglycerides Correlate with Progression of Diabetic Neuropathy, it was found that nerve damage was more correlated with high levels of triglycerides than with high blood glucose levels. Therefore high triglyceride levels turn out to be more likely to lead to diabetic neuropathy.
According to Mendosa.com, in the article Triglycerides and Neuropathy, it states that taking on a diet which is low in carbohydrates is one of the best ways to drop triglyceride levels. Avoiding harmful fats and exercising regularly is also recommended. The article goes on to state “This leaves us with a clear choice. We can wait until we get neuropathy and treat it with one of the available drugs. Or we can prevent it by testing our triglyceride level. And if that is too high we know what to do.”
