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:
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Daily if starting insulin
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Weekly if starting oral drugs
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Monthly if not stable
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Quarterly if stable
History at each visit:
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Frequency of hypoglycemia
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Results of blood glucose self-monitoring
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Changes in treatment
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Symptoms of complications
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Psychosocial issues
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New medications
Physical at each visit:
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Blood pressure
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Weight
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Foot exam
Physical at least annually or every two years if eyes are stable:
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Dilated eye exam by eye doctor
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Filament test for foot sensation
Lab tests:
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Hemoglobin A1c every three months
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Fasting lipid profile yearly
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Microalbumin measurement yearly if urine protein negative
Frequency of blood glucose self-monitoring:
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Before meals and bedtime for person with type 1 diabetes
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Before breakfast and supper for person with type 2 diabetes
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Once daily for person with stable diabetes
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Before and one hour after meals for pregnant woman with type 1 diabetes or gestational diabetes