Diabetes: Exams and Tests You Need
Topic Overview
The American Diabetes Association recommends that
people with
diabetes have regular exams and tests according to the
following schedule:1
Schedule for exams and tests beginning at diagnosis of diabetes Time interval | Exams and tests |
|---|
| Every 3 months | Visit your doctor for: - A review of your blood sugar levels since
your last checkup. Your doctor will evaluate whether your prescribed treatment
needs changing.
- A blood pressure check. Keep your blood pressure
below 130/80 mm Hg. If you have
high blood pressure, ask whether you should monitor
your blood pressure at home. Your child with diabetes needs to keep his or her
blood pressure within the levels appropriate for his or her age.
- An
examination of your feet for signs of injury, infection, or other foot
problems.
- A hemoglobin A1c or similar test (glycosylated hemoglobin
or
glycohemoglobin). If your blood sugar levels are
remaining stable and your treatment hasn't changed, this test may be done every
6 months.
- A
blood glucose test. Check the accuracy of your blood
sugar meter at this time to see whether your
home blood sugar tests are reliable.
|
| Every 6 months | Visit your dentist for a dental exam to check
for gum problems. |
| Every year | Adults Visit your doctor for: - A
cholesterol (LDL and HDL) and triglyceride test. If
your levels are normal, you may be tested every 2 years.
- Adults with diabetes and no history
of heart disease need to keep their LDL cholesterol level less than 100 mg/dL,
their triglyceride level less than 150 mg/dL, and, if possible, their HDL
cholesterol level more than 40 mg/dL for men, and more than 50 mg/dL for
women.
- Adults with diabetes and a history
of heart disease need to keep their LDL cholesterol level less than 100 mg/dL
or aim for keeping it at 70 mg/dL.
- A thorough examination of your feet,
including testing your ability to feel sensation.
- A shot for flu
(influenza).
Children Take your child who has diabetes to the
doctor for: - A
cholesterol (LDL and HDL) and triglyceride test. If
your child's levels are normal, then he or she can be tested every 5 years.
- Children with a
family history of high cholesterol or early
coronary artery disease (CAD) need to be tested right
after diagnosis (if they are 2 years of age or older). If there is no family
history of early CAD or high cholesterol, children should first be tested at
puberty.
- Children with diabetes need to
keep their LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg/dL.
- A thorough examination of your child's
feet, including testing to see how well he or she can feel when the feet are
touched. Your child with diabetes may not need a thorough examination of his or
her feet each year until after puberty.
- A flu shot for ages 6
months and older.
|
References
Citations
- American Diabetes Association (2012). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2012. Diabetes Care, 35(Suppl 1): S11–S63.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism |
|---|
| Last Revised | September 26, 2012 |
|---|
Last Revised:
September 26, 2012
American Diabetes Association (2012). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2012. Diabetes Care, 35(Suppl 1): S11–S63.
