Diabetes For Dummies
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Managing diabetes requires regular doctor visits that include standard monitoring of various diabetic factors. Following are guidelines for your diabetes care — like when to see your doctor, what should happen at each visit, when to have lab tests done, and how often to self-monitor blood glucose.

Consistent diabetes management is key; if test results show any change from your history, then you and your doctor can address them before any problem worsens.

Frequency of visits:

  • Daily if starting insulin

  • Weekly if starting oral drugs

  • Monthly if not stable

  • Quarterly if stable

History at each visit:

  • Frequency of hypoglycemia

  • Results of blood glucose self-monitoring

  • Changes in treatment

  • Symptoms of complications

  • Psychosocial issues

  • New medications

Physical at each visit:

  • Blood pressure

  • Weight

  • Foot exam

Physical at least annually or every two years if eyes are stable:

  • Dilated eye exam by eye doctor

  • Filament test for foot sensation

Lab tests:

  • Hemoglobin A1c every three months

  • Fasting lipid profile yearly

  • Microalbumin measurement yearly if urine protein negative

Frequency of blood glucose self-monitoring:

  • Before meals and bedtime for person with type 1 diabetes

  • Before breakfast and supper for person with type 2 diabetes

  • Once daily for person with stable diabetes

  • Before and one hour after meals for pregnant woman with type 1 diabetes or gestational diabetes

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Alan Rubin, MD, is the author of Diabetes Cookbook For Dummies, Type I Diabetes For Dummies, Prediabetes For Dummies, High Blood Pressure For Dummies, Thyroid For Dummies, and Vitamin D For Dummies. He is a professional member of the Endocrine Society and American Diabetes Association.

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