Diabetes complications can usually be treated – even prevented – if found and treated early. Talk to your doctor about scheduling regular exams to keep your diabetes in check and complications at bay.

At each diabetes visit

• Blood pressure
• Weight check
• Foot check

Annually

• Lipid profile (every 2 years if normal)
• Dilated eye exam (every 2 to 3 years if normal)
• Nerve damage
• Comprehensive foot exam
• Serum creatinine and urinalysis for protein, microalbumin, albumin-to-creatinine ratio to detect kidney disease

Twice a year

• A1C (quarterly if not meeting goals)
• Dental exam (your doctor may recommend more frequent visits)

Vaccinations

• Influenza (annually)
• Pneumoccal (usually once, repeat if over 64 or immunocompromised and last vaccination was more than five years ago.)

These are general guidelines only. Your screening schedule may vary based on your age and health history. For more important questions to ask your doctor, click here.

Source:

National Diabetes Education Program. Guiding Principles for Diabetes Care: For Health Providers. (PDF accessed 08/12/08.)

Reviewed by Francine Kaufman, MD. 01/09