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Ideal Blood Lipid Levels

Total Cholesterol	4.0 mmol/l or below.
LDL	Less than 2.0 mmol/l
HDL	1.0 mmol/l or above in Men. 1.2mmol/l or above in Women
Triglyceride	Less than 1.7mmol/l

Homepage > Living with Diabetes > Monitoring Health

Monitoring Health with Type I Diabetes

Along with being diagnosed diabetic, there are several complications that are associated in addition to the disease. In order to prevent some of these complications, it is essential that the health of a Type I diabetic patient is monitored. There are different aspects of your health that are focused on in Type I diabetes, which are discussed in more detail below.

Blood Glucose Levels

One of the day-to-day tasks involved in Type I diabetes is checking and controlling of blood glucose levels. Ideally, the blood glucose levels in a non-diabetic patient average around 5.5 mmol. It is therefore desirable in diabetes that blood glucose levels run as close to this value as possible to ensure you obtain optimum health. The volume of Insulin dose is adjusted according to ensure that the blood glucose levels remain in the ideal range shown on the treatment page. Detecting hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) and hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels) quickly and efficiently using blood glucose monitoring machines, prevents any long term health problems.

One of the tests carried out in routine hospital clinic visits include a long term average blood sugar known as Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c). This looks at the average blood glucose levels over the past 3 months by determining the damage on Haemoglobin molecules (scratching) due to glucose. Therefore a higher HbA1c is associated with more scratches and higher long term blood sugar levels. This is a method of consultants to monitor the control of patients over their blood glucose levels and to highlight the risks of complication occurring as a result.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is another aspect of your health that is commonly monitored in Type I diabetes. Blood pressure is normally recorded per diabetic reviews in clinic at the hospital to provide a trend for possible increases in the systolic or diastolic pressures. The average value for blood pressure is 120mmHg/70mmHg and this is used as a reference for all individuals, with or without Diabetes. However, high blood pressure is a common symptom among diabetic patients and therefore should be no higher that around 130mmHg/80mmHg even though this is a lower pressure used for the diagnosis of hypertension.

The development of hypertension can subsequently lead to many other complications such as Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and an increased risk of Myocardial infarctions and Strokes. Please see the complications page for more associated risks with Type I diabetes. In terms of treatment, there are several clinical drugs available to lower your blood pressure by targeting different areas of the body. Examples include diuretics such as Thiazides (Kidney) and channel blockers (Calcium) such as Minoxidil or Manidipine (Heart).

Blood fat or lipid levels

Another component of your blood that is regularly monitored in diabetes is the level of fat or lipids. Lipids can be categorized into two different types; triglycerides and Cholesterol.

Firstly cholesterol is commonly found in everyone and is one of the largest causes of CVD in today’s society. Cholesterol can be split into good and bad cholesterol also known as High Density Lipoprotein (good cholesterol) and Low Density Lipoprotein (bad cholesterol). The ideal level for each of these cholesterols varies on the effect they have on the general health of a patient. HDL is the better of the two types and can help protect you from complications such as heart disease. However high levels of LDL can be very dangerous and is therefore linked to increased risk of CVD.

The other form of blood lipid is triglycerides, that similar to LDL, in high levels can also increase your health risks for complications involving the heart. A table containing the ideal values for blood lipid concentrations is shown on the left hand side.

Feet

One of the common parts of the body to be affected by diabetes is the feet. Development problems with the feet are not just specific to Type I diabetes but also common in Type II diabetic patients being treated using other methods as well as Insulin supplements.

The main reason problems in the feet are associated with diabetes is due to the circulation of blood in the body. A complication of diabetes involving the heart can lead to poor circulation of the blood and decreased flow of blood to the peripheral limbs such as the feet. This could result in reduced feeling in the feet and therefore sensory tests are carried out regularly in diabetes clinics. Common problems with the feet due to lack of blood flow and sensation include foot ulcers and other infections.

The remedies for foot problems and steps needed to improve the health of the feet or prevent any problems arising are the same for those people who are not diabetic. Hygiene, Skin and Nails are the areas of the foot to monitor and care has to be taken when choosing footwear.

Eyes

The eye is a very essential aspect of monitoring the health of Type I diabetic patients. One of the more severe complications associated with diabetes is Diabetic Retinopathy which is associated with damage to the retina potentially leading to blindness. Eye screening is carried out yearly by the opticians and hospital to ensure optimum health of the eye is maintained and if retinopathy develops, treatment can start early so to improve the length of time the patient will have with their sight remaining. There are several available treatments for such a disease. For more detailed information about retinopathy, please see the relevant section on the complications page.

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