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Your health is a shared responsibility between you and your health care provider. You need to be an active participant in your own care, working together with your diabetes health care team to ensure that all aspects of your health are monitored and cared for. There are several tests and assessments that should be done on a regular basis for people who have diabetes. This table can help remind you (and your health care team) of what tests you should have and how often.
| Diabetes Health Care Diary |
| Test/Assessment |
How Often? |
Goal |
| Review your blood sugar diary |
Each visit |
Spot problems; improve control |
| A1C |
Every 3 months |
Less than or equal to 7% (0.07) |
| Blood pressure |
Each visit |
Less than or equal to 130/80 |
| Weight/BMI/Waist circumference |
Regularly |
Attain personal goal |
| Check your feet and hands |
Regularly |
Prevent ulcers and other injuries |
Glucometer check (against the
results of a lab blood test) |
At least annually (must
be < 20% difference) |
Ensure meter is working properly |
| Lipids (blood fats) |
Every 1- 3 years, more
often if needed |
LDL* – High risk: Less than 2.5
– Moderate risk: Less than 3.5
TC:HDL** – High risk: Less than 4
Moderate risk: Less than 5 |
| Urine protein |
Annually |
Assess kidney function |
| Eye exam |
At diagnosis, then
every 1-2 years |
Prevent retinopathy (eye damage) |
| Dental checkup |
Every 6 months |
Prevent infections |
| Flu shot |
Annually |
Reduce risk of complications
from the flu |
| Pneumococcal vaccine |
One time + |
Prevent pneumonia |
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* LDL = low density lipoprotein, also known as "bad" cholesterol
** TC:HDL = total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein. This ratio compares the amount of HDL (also called "good" cholesterol) in your blood to the amount of cholesterol in your blood
+ A single repeat vaccination is recommended for patients who are older than 65 years and who were vaccinated more than 5 years ago
Write down any questions you have, so you'll remember to ask them during your appointment. Also be sure to write down and mention any unusual symptoms you've felt since your last visit, including blurred vision, numbness or tingling in your feet or hands, swelling in your hands, feet, face, or legs, cramping or pain in your legs, unusual weight change, sexual dysfunction, or anything else that is out of the ordinary for you. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or numbness or weakness on one side of your body, call your doctor or go to the hospital immediately.
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