By Kathy Sinkin, RN, CDE
If you have diabetes, you know how much stress it can cause in day-to-day living. You need to take your medications, eat carefully, test your blood sugar, make time for physical activity, and both schedule and keep doctor appointments. In addition to managing your own care, there are specific tests and procedures that your health care provider should perform on a regular basis. According to the American Diabetes Association, these include:
- A1c test. This blood test should be done at least twice a year, or more frequently if you have uncontrolled diabetes. It measures what your blood sugar levels have been for the last two to three months. Most people should aim for an A1c of less than 7%. Some people have a higher number, but your health care provider will discuss your target number
- Kidney tests. Your doctor will collect a urine specimen once a year and test for protein in your urine called albumin. In addition, your blood will be tested to see how well your kidneys are functioning.
- Eye exam. Your doctor will order an eye exam yearly from a specialist. A dilated eye exam will determine if diabetes has affected the blood vessels in your eyes, among other things.
- Foot exams. You should check your feet every day, but your doctor should check your feet at each visit to look for sores, calluses, infection, loss of sensation, pulses and reflexes. Take your shoes and socks off while you’re waiting in the office.
- Cholesterol. Your health care provider should check your cholesterol profile every 5 years, or more often if you are taking cholesterol medicine.
- Blood Pressure. This should be checked at every visit.
These tests should be performed to avoid or delay any complications from diabetes. You should ask for a copy of all tests performed, which you can save in a folder, as part of your medical history
For more information, please go to: Standards of Care | American Diabetes Association
professional.diabetes.org/content/clinical-practice-recommendations
Kathy Sinkin is a Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program. She can be reached at kas239@cornell.edu