Abnormalities in the lipid profile are found in patients with diabetes mellitus. The lipid abnormalities increase the risk of heart disease in diabetics and hence should be regularly monitored and treated.
Assessment of blood lipid should be performed in all diabetics at initial diagnosis and should be repeated at regular intervals (once in 6 months). Lipid profile must always be tested in a fasting state i.e the patient should have no food or water after 10 pm at night till the blood sample is taken in the morning. Instruct the patient and the family members about this precaution.