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
