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Return to IndexStep 1: Taking ChargeStep 2: What is Diabetes?Step 3: Symptoms of DiabetesStep 4: Diagnosing DiabetesStep 5: Your Management ProgramStep 6: Use Insulin Every DayStep 7: Follow a Meal PlanStep 8: Monitor Blood GlucoseStep 9: Exercise is Important!Step 10: Recognize Medical EmergenciesStep 11: Long-Term ComplicationsStep 12: Maintain Regular Check-upsStep 13: The Healthcare TeamKey PointsGlossary
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Return to IndexStep 1: Taking ChargeStep 2: What is Diabetes?Step 3: Symptoms of DiabetesStep 4: Diagnosing DiabetesStep 5: Your Management ProgramStep 6: Use Insulin Every DayStep 7: Follow a Meal PlanStep 8: Monitor Blood GlucoseStep 9: Exercise is Important!Step 10: Recognize Medical EmergenciesStep 11: Long-Term ComplicationsStep 12: Maintain Regular Check-upsStep 13: The Healthcare TeamKey PointsGlossary
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| Step 12: Maintain regular check-ups |
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To keep an eye on potential complications of diabetes, people with diabetes must have regular health check-ups and tests. These will continue through adult life. Here is a general program of continuing care recommended by the American Diabetes Association.
| Every 3 to 6 months | Regular doctor visit -- the doctor will check weight and blood pressure. (Doctor visits should be more frequent if diabetes is not yet controlled.) Hemoglobin A1c test -- this lab test shows the average amount of glucose that has been in the blood over the last 3 months. It is an indicator of how well the diabetes is being controlled. (Again, this should be done more often if diabetes is not yet controlled.) |
| Every year | Kidney exam -- this urine test looks for "microalbumin" levels, and it should begin at puberty once the person has had diabetes at least 5 years. Eye exam -- starting at age 10, all children with diabetes should have eyes checked once a year. Foot exam -- the doctor should check pulse, reflexes, calluses, infections, and sores once a year. (Adults with high-risk foot conditions should be checked more frequently.) |
| Every 5 years | HDL/cholesterol test -- for adults, this test should be done every year, and more often if being treated for high cholesterol. |
References
Vargas RB, Mangione CM, Asch S, et al. Can a chronic care model collaborative reduce heart disease risk in patients with diabetes? J Gen Internl Med. 2007;22:215-222.
Fong DS, Aiello L, Gardner TW, et al. Retinopathy in diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:S84-S87.
Bloomgarden ZT. Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes Care. 2007;30:760-765.
Frykberg RG, Zgonis T, Armstrong DG, et al. Diabetic foot disorders: a clinical practice guideline. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2006;45(5 suppl):S1-S66.
Endre ZH, Beaven D, Buttimore A. Preventable kidney failure: The cost of diabetes neglect? N Z Med Jl. 2006;119:U2338.
Gordois A, Scuffham P, Shearer A, et al. The healthcare costs of diabetic nephropathy in the United States and the United Kingdom. J Diabetes Complications. 2004;18:18-26.
McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA, Tierney LM eds. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2007. 46th ed. New York: Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill, 2007.
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Review Date:
5/10/2007
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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