Diabetes: 10 Tests And Exams To Keep You Healthy
If you have diabetes, taking care of yourself at home and getting regular checkups are key to staying healthy. During office visits, your doctor will do tests to try to find any problems so they can be treated before they become bigger issues. If you find them early enough, most can be managed with diet, exercise, or medication. This blood test tells you and your doctor how your blood sugar has been over the past 2 to 3 months. While you probably test it every day, that only shows what your levels are at that point in time. The result is given as a percentage the higher the percentage, the higher your blood sugar levels have been. The goal is for your A1C level to be less than 7%. The American Diabetes Association recommends you have this test at least twice a year. You should check your blood pressure regularly at home. But your doctor also will check it each time you visit the office. You can have high blood pressure without knowing it. Generally, your first number (systolic) should be less than 120. Your second number (diastolic) should be under 80. If you have high blood pressure and it's not managed well, for instance with lifestyle changes or medication, you're more likely to have heart disease or a stroke. These types of fat can collect in your arteries and lead to heart problems and stroke. Your doctor will want to check three things with a blood test at least once a year: HDL ("good") cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides. You'll want your LDL level to be less than 100 and your triglyceride level to be under 150. On the flip side, a man's HDL should be higher than 40, and a woman's should be over 50. High blood sugar levels can lead to higher levels of cholesterol. Talk with your doctor about where your numbers are and where they should be. T Continue reading >>
Health Checks: How Often Should You Check Your...?
Never second-guess when you should get a health screening again You probably know how often you can go between manicures, hair cuts, and bikini waxes, but its harder to remember when youre due for certain health screenings. Plus, it seems like the suggested guidelines for common medical check-ups are constantly up for debate. Case in point: A recent study found thatgetting your blood pressure checked at every doctors visit may result in an inaccurate diagnosis for hypertensionnot to mention unnecessary stress. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic looked at records for 68 patients with hypertension and 372 patients without high blood pressure. When they looked at the readings from every single appointment, they identified all 68 cases of hypertension, along with 110 mistaken diagnoses for people without high blood pressure. But when they just took one annual reading, the doctors still caught all but five cases of hypertensionand they cut the number of false positives by almost 50 percent. So should you turn down the test the next time you see your doc? Not necessarily. After all, its a free, quick, and painless part of your check-up, says Donnica Moore, MD, author ofWomen's Health For Life. That said, she stresses that guidelines should never be set in stone and that you and your doctor can make the best decision about scheduling certain tests more or less frequently than recommended. That will be based on the guidelines, but also on your personal medical history, family history, and lifestyle and behavior choices, says Moore. Need a refresher course on your recommended screenings? Check out our fool-proof guide to help you remember what needs to be checked and when: Once a Month Breast self-exam: Check your girls for unusual lumps or bumps monthly so you can stay on top of a Continue reading >>
Schedule For Diabetes Lab Tests And Exams
In addition to your daily self-care, it's important to stay up to date with lab tests and physical exams. Keeping regular appointments with your doctor and getting tests on time will: Give you and your doctor important information about how well your diabetes care plan is working. Give you a chance to ask questions and share ideas or concerns you have about your care plan. Help your doctor find and treat any problems before they get worse. The following schedules give a general idea of how often to get exams and lab tests. Depending on your care plan, your schedule might be different. Talk to your doctor about the schedule that's right for you. Physical Exams How Often? Retinal eye exam Eye exam to look for signs of retinopathy (nerve damage to the eye). This exam is done by taking a picture of your eye with a special camera, without having to dilate the eye. Every 2 years if you have type 2 diabetes and don't have signs of retinopathy or have had type 1 diabetes more than 5 years. Every year if you have retinopathy. Foot exam Checks for foot problems so they can be treated early. Includes calluses, bunions, sores, and little or no feeling in your feet. Treating these problems early can keep them from leading to anything more serious. Every year if you have type 2 diabetes or have had type 1 diabetes more than 5 years. More often if you have any foot problems. Weight and blood pressure At every clinic visit. Lab Tests How Often? A1c (Glycosylated hemoglobin) Blood test to measure the amount of glucose attached to your red blood cells. It shows what your average blood sugar level has been for the past 2 to 3 months. As often as every 3 months. Urine check for microalbumin Urine test to look for small proteins (microalbumin), which can show early signs of kidney damage. I Continue reading >>
When Should You Test Your Blood Sugar?
Blood sugar testing is a fundamental part of treating type 2 diabetes. By obtaining regular blood sugar readings, people with diabetes can, among other things, help their doctor make more informed decisions regarding the type and dosage of medication they need. Blood sugar testing also can help you see what foods, events, and activities trigger highs and lows in your blood sugar levels. So how often should you test your blood sugar? The answer depends mostly on the status of your health and the demands of your daily life. People with type 2 diabetes should take a blood sugar reading at least once a day. Some may need to test as frequently as seven times a day. Whether you need to or are able to perform more frequent testing depends on a number of factors: Are you newly diagnosed? If so, you will need to take blood sugar tests more often to give your doctors the data they need to shape an appropriate treatment plan. Are you taking insulin? Doctors recommend that people who need insulin to treat their type 2 diabetes perform three or more blood sugar tests throughout the day, especially if they take multiple daily doses or are using an insulin pump. Are you leading an active lifestyle? People participating in sports or working out regularly need to test their blood glucose more often. Are there safety concerns? Patients who drive or operate heavy machinery should test their blood sugar beforehand, to protect both themselves and those around them. Are there factors in your life that limit your ability to test often? For example, people who type at their jobs may need to limit their testing if their fingertips become too painful to work a keyboard. Others may not be able to afford the cost of the test strips needed for frequent testing or can't fit frequent tests into their Continue reading >>
Working With Your Diabetes Health Care Team
Your healthcare team includes your doctor, dietitian, diabetes educator, exercise trainer, and pharmacist. But remember, you are the most important member of the team. Your health care team is available to help you manage your diabetes and maintain your good health. NOTE: The American Diabetes Association publishes Clinical Practice Recommendations for health care providers. Standards of medical care for people with diabetes were most recently updated in 2012. Those guidelines, published in Diabetes Care, 2012, Volume 35, Supplement 1. How often should I see my doctor? People with diabetes who are treated with insulin shots generally should see their doctor at least every three to four months. People with diabetes who are treated with pills or who are managing diabetes through diet should be seen at least every four to six months. More frequent visits may be necessary if your blood sugar is not controlled or if complications of diabetes are worsening. What information should I give my doctor? Generally, your doctor needs to know how well your diabetes is controlled and whether diabetic complications are starting or getting worse. Therefore, at each visit, provide your doctor with your home blood sugar monitoring record and report any symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Your doctor also should be informed of any changes in your diet, exercise, or medicines, and of any new illnesses you may have developed. Tell your doctor if you have experienced any symptoms of eye, nerve, kidney, or cardiovascular problems, such as: Blurred vision Numbness or tingling in your feet Persistent hand, feet, face, or leg swelling Cramping or pain in the legs Chest pain Numbness or weakness on one side of your body Unusual weight gain At each visit, Continue reading >>
Diabetes Checks
Tweet Diabetes check ups are an extremely important part of diabetes care. There are some diabetes checks that you can carry out at home with others offered by the NHS. These checks are a vital part of weekly, monthly and annual diabetes care. There are some types of diabetes checks that you can carry out at home, and others are offered by the NHS. This includes glucose control, foot care, weight, and keeping a diary. Checks for diabetes is where the individual can really make a difference to their own diabetes management, above and beyond the check ups offered by healthcare professionals. Diabetes check ups for newly diagnosed people with diabetes Diabetes check ups for children are a specialist subject, and parents and children will be taught how to check up on their diabetes by specialist diabetes healthcare professionals. For adults, there are a range of educational courses to help people with diabetes understand their condition. These courses include DAFNE and Bertie for type 1 diabetes, and DESMOND and XPERT for type 2 diabetes. These courses help show adults the type of diabetes check ups needed to ensure good diabetes care. Education should include weight guidance, testing blood sugar, and how to look after your feet and eyes. Daily diabetes check ups Daily diabetes check ups should include feet and blood sugar. Daily foot check ups are essential for people with diabetes. Especially for those with a history of diabetes neuropathy, foot infections can spread very quickly. Checking feet daily is a way to identify problems early. Daily blood glucose testing is not recommended for all diabetics, but Diabetes UK advises that all diabetics should test their blood sugar. Testing and understanding what your blood sugar results mean is an essential way to manage diabetes Continue reading >>
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Blood Sugar Monitoring: When To Check And Why
Managing diabetes is one part investigation and two parts action. Unlike some other diseases that rely primarily on professional medical treatment, diabetes treatment requires active participation by the person who has it. Monitoring your blood sugar level on a regular basis and analyzing the results is believed by many to be a crucial part of the treatment equation. When someone is first diagnosed with diabetes, he is usually given a blood sugar meter (or told to go buy one) and told how and when to use it, as well as what numbers to shoot for. However, the advice a person receives on when to monitor and what the results should be generally depend on his type of diabetes, age, and state of overall health. It can also depend on a health-care provider’s philosophy of care and which set of diabetes care guidelines he follows. At least three major health organizations have published slightly different recommendations regarding goals for blood sugar levels. There is some common ground when it comes to blood sugar monitoring practices. For example, most people take a fasting reading before breakfast every morning. Some people also monitor before lunch, dinner, and bedtime; some monitor after each meal; and some monitor both before and after all meals. However, when monitoring after meals, some people do it two hours after the first bite of the meal, while others prefer to check one hour after the start of a meal. To help sort out the whys and when of monitoring, three diabetes experts weigh in with their opinions. While they don’t agree on all the details, they do agree on one thing: Regular monitoring is critical in diabetes care. Why monitor? Self-monitoring is an integral part of diabetes management because it puts you in charge. Regardless of how you manage your diab Continue reading >>
8 Important Diabetes Tests To Get Regularly
Type 2 diabetes can affect every part of your body, from your eyes to your feet. A critical part of managing diabetes is getting routine tests and checkups that can spot problems early to help prevent complications. “Too often, if someone isn’t seeing the same doctor routinely, these important tests can get overlooked,” says Diana Aby-Daniel, PA-C, a physician assistant at the Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. “Many diabetes complications are preventable if they’re found early with one of these routine tests.” The following eight diabetes exams and tests will help you get the health care you need: 1. A1C test. This key blood test measures your average blood sugar levels over the previous two or three months, which lets your doctor know how well your blood sugar is being controlled. You should get this test twice a year, if not more often, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). “Try to get your A1C results below or as close to 7 percent as possible,” says George L. King, MD, director of research and head of the section on vascular cell biology at Joslin Diabetes Center and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Talk to your doctor about the A1C goal that’s right for you. You can get this test through your primary care doctor. 2. Blood pressure checks. Diabetes makes you more likely to have high blood pressure, which can put you at increased risk for stroke and heart attack. Have your blood pressure checked every time you see your primary care doctor, Dr. King says. 3. Cholesterol test. Because having diabetes increases your risk of heart disease, it’s important to have a blood test to check your cholesterol as part of your annual exam or more frequently if your Continue reading >>
How Often To Test Your Blood Glucose
Checking your blood sugar, keeping a record of your results, and using your results to improve your management is an important part of having diabetes. But before you grab your meter and check your blood glucose level, ask: Why am I checking now? How will I use the information to make decisions in how I manage my diabetes? If you don't know, find out before you do a check. Our blood sugar guide answers your questions about when and how often to check. Checking your blood sugar, keeping a record of your results, and using your results to improve your management is an important part of having diabetes. But before you grab your meter and check your blood glucose level, ask: Why am I checking now? How will I use the information to make decisions in how I manage my diabetes? If you don't know, find out before you do a check. Our blood sugar guide answers your questions about when and how often to check. Checking your blood sugar, keeping a record of your results, and using your results to improve your management is an important part of having diabetes. But before you grab your meter and check your blood glucose level, ask: Why am I checking now? How will I use the information to make decisions in how I manage my diabetes? If you don't know, find out before you do a check. Our blood sugar guide answers your questions about when and how often to check. Checking your blood sugar, keeping a record of your results, and using your results to improve your management is an important part of having diabetes. But before you grab your meter and check your blood glucose level, ask: Why am I checking now? How will I use the information to make decisions in how I manage my diabetes? If you don't know, find out before you do a check. Our blood sugar guide answers your questions about when Continue reading >>
Routine Diabetes Check-ups
Diabetes Diabetes is a progressive disease. Even if your diabetes is under control, you can still experience complications. Often these complications can begin without noticeable symptoms. That's why it’s important to schedule routine check-ups -- to make sure you’re as healthy as you feel. Here are some routine check-ups you should schedule with your physician: Foot exam. Decreased circulation and changes in the blood vessels of your feet and lower legs can cause serious health complications. Even if you regularly check your feet for cuts, sores or infections, your healthcare provider should also assess them at regular check-ups. This should be done every 12 months. Blood pressure check. High blood pressure is often known as the “silent killer.” If you have diabetes, you’re at risk for higher blood pressure. This can increase your risk for developing heart disease; having a stroke; or experiencing eye, kidney and nerve complications. Getting your blood pressure checked can help reduce these risks. Your target blood pressure should be less than 140/90. Hemoglobin A1c screening. The A1c test measures your average glucose level for the previous three months. Making sure your A1c is less than 7 percent can help you keep your risk for complications lower. This test should be done every three to six months. Dental exam. If you have diabetes, you may be at a higher-than-normal risk for developing periodontal (gum) disease, an infection of your gums and bones that hold your teeth in place. Good blood glucose control, and regularly scheduled dental exams, is key to preventing mouth problems. Make sure you have a dental exam every six months. More frequent exams may be needed if you have periodontal disease. Dilated retinal exam. When your blood sugar levels are to Continue reading >>
How Often Should You Get Your Blood Sugar Checked?
Image: Thinkstock Get your blood sugar checked annually if you have prediabetes—higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. Your risk factors determine whether you should be screened annually or every three years. Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School. Continue reading >>
How Often Should I Be Tested For Diabetes?
When it comes to understanding your diabetes risk, knowledge is power, which is why regular diabetes screenings are so important. A simple blood test can tell you if your blood glucose is rising or whether you have prediabetes, a state in which blood sugar levels are slightly elevated but not high enough to qualify for diabetes. Experts estimate that prediabetes affects 79 million people in the U.S. "When people learn they have prediabetes, I tell them they're extremely lucky," says Betul Hatipoglu, MD, an endocrinologist at Cleveland Clinic. "It's an opportunity for them to make changes so they can reverse the disease." Get a blood glucose test every one to three years, depending on whether you have other risk factors. It is recommended that you have a fasting plasma glucose test every three years starting at age 45. However, they are recommended more often, or earlier, if you're overweight or at risk for diabetes. The fasting plasma glucose test (also called blood glucose test) provides an early warning sign of high blood sugar levels, which could mean an increased risk for diabetes. If your blood glucose levels are in the normal range, it is reasonable to be checked for diabetes every 3 years. If you have prediabetes, you should be checked for type 2 diabetes every 1-2 years after your diagnosis. Continue reading >>
Diabetes - Tests And Checkups
See your diabetes doctor for an exam every 3 to 6 months. During this exam, your doctor should check your: Blood pressure Weight Feet See your dentist every 6 months, also. Your doctor should check the pulses in your feet and your reflexes at least once a year. Your doctor should also look for: If you have had foot ulcers before, see your doctor every 3 to 6 months. It is always a good idea to ask your doctor to check your feet. An A1c lab test shows how well you are controlling your blood sugar levels over a 3-month period. The normal level is less than 5.7%. Most people with diabetes should aim for an A1C of less than 7%. Some people have a higher target. Your doctor will help decide what your target should be. Higher A1C numbers mean that your blood sugar is higher and that you may be more likely to have complications from your diabetes. Continue reading >>
Blood Sugar Testing: Why, When And How
Blood sugar testing is an important part of diabetes care. Find out when to test your blood sugar level, how to use a testing meter, and more. If you have diabetes, self-testing your blood sugar (blood glucose) can be an important tool in managing your treatment plan and preventing long-term complications of diabetes. You can test your blood sugar at home with a portable electronic device (glucose meter) that measures sugar level in a small drop of your blood. Why test your blood sugar Blood sugar testing — or self-monitoring blood glucose — provides useful information for diabetes management. It can help you: Judge how well you're reaching overall treatment goals Understand how diet and exercise affect blood sugar levels Understand how other factors, such as illness or stress, affect blood sugar levels Monitor the effect of diabetes medications on blood sugar levels Identify blood sugar levels that are high or low When to test your blood sugar Your doctor will advise you on how often you should check your blood sugar level. In general, the frequency of testing depends on the type of diabetes you have and your treatment plan. Type 1 diabetes. Your doctor may recommend blood sugar testing four to eight times a day if you have type 1 diabetes. You may need to test before meals and snacks, before and after exercise, before bed, and occasionally during the night. You may also need to check your blood sugar level more often if you are ill, change your daily routine or begin a new medication. Type 2 diabetes. If you take insulin to manage type 2 diabetes, your doctor may recommend blood sugar testing two or more times a day, depending on the type and amount of insulin you need. Testing is usually recommended before meals, and sometimes before bedtime. If you manage type 2 Continue reading >>
Essential Annual Diabetes Checks
Once diagnosed with diabetes , the NHS should invite a person for regular check-ups, including an annual diabetes check. Regular check-ups can catch early signs of complications. If you have diabetes then getting key diabetes tests, such as the HbA1c test , a dilated eye examination, and a foot examination, is essential. NHS and Diabetes UK research has found too few people with diabetes are having the health checks and services recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Here are the tests and services Diabetes UK says diabetes patients should have: There are a number of tests the charity says people with diabetes should be having. You should: Have your blood glucose levels measured at least once a year with an HbA1c blood test. Have your blood pressure measured and recorded at least once a year. Have your cholesterol measured every year. Have your eyes screened for signs of retinopathy every year. Using a specialised digital camera, a photo of each eye should be taken and examined by a specialist who will look for any changes to your retina (the seeing part at the back of your eye). Have the skin , circulation and nerve supply of your legs and feet examined annually. Have your kidney functions monitored annually. You should have two tests for your kidneys : a urine test for protein (a sign of possible kidney problems) and a blood test to measure kidney function. Have your weight checked and have your waist measured to see if you need to lose weight . Children should have more frequent HbA1c measurements and generally do not have formal screening for complications (eg blood pressure , blood fats, eyes , feet and kidneys) until they are 12 years old. However, their weight, height and general health should be regularly monitored. In addit Continue reading >>
