Diabetes Management
Diabetes is a serious disease, which, if not controlled, can be life threatening. It is often associated with long-term complications that can affect every system and part of the body. Diabetes can, among other things, contribute to eye disorders and blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputation, and nerve damage. It can affect pregnancy and cause birth defects, as well.
Although diabetes is a chronic and incurable disease (with the exception of gestational diabetes), with proper medical care, clinical therapies, diet, hygiene, and exercise, symptoms and complications can be successfully treated and managed.
Properly managing your diabetes is essential to maintaining your health and preventing complications, but it can be challenging to keep tabs on all the tests and screenings that should be done regularly. This Diabetes Medical Schedule will help you stay up to date with your appointments — it will also make it easier for you to monitor and manage your condition.
Screening Frequency
Blood Glucose
Check regularly, as directed by your doctor and more often when you're feeling ill. Record these numbers in a log, so you can easily show them to your doctor. If your blood glucose is less than 70 mg/dl and you have more than one unexplained low blood glucose reading a week, call your doctor. If your blood glucose is greater than 180 mg/dl for more than a week, or if you have two consecutive readings greater than 300 mg/dl, call your doctor.
Urinalysis for Ketones
Get this test done when your blood glucose is more than 300 mg/dl. Check more often when you are suffering from an illness.
Regular Doctor's Exam
If you take insulin, see your regular physician every 3 to 4 months. If you are treated with oral diabetes medications, or if you are managing diabetes with diet and exercise alone, see your regular physician every 4 to 6 months. You may need to see your doctor more often if your blood glucose levels are not controlled, if you are having problems with your medicine, or if you have an infection. Make sure your doctor checks your blood pressure and weight and examines your feet and insulin injection sites at every visit.
Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test (HbA1C)
Get this test done every 3 months or as recommended.
Dental Exam
Get your teeth and gums examined at least every 6 months or as recommended.
Eye Exam, including Retinopathology Screening Test
Get your eyes examined at least once a year or as recommended. If you ever have blurred vision in one eye or have "blind spots" in your vision, make an appointment right away.
Urinalysis to check kidney health
Get this test done at least once a year or as recommended.
Lipid profile test (cholesterol and triglycerides)
Get this test done at least once a year or as recommended.
Diabetes Class / Meet with a Diabetes Educator
Do this at least once a year or as recommended.
Dietary Evaluation
See a dietitian at least once every 1 to 2 years.
Resources
Diabetes.com
Children with Diabetes
American Diabetes Association
National Diabetes Education Foundation