Be well prepared for the visit
Your doctor and the diabetes care team will be able to give you the best guidance if you are well prepared for your visit to the clinic. If you have a question, write it down and bring it with you. Do not forgoet to bring your meter and blood sugar diary with you to your apointment (if you test your blood sugars)
At the clinic you can discuss
At the clinic your overall condition will be checked. You can discuss test results, your blood sugar readings and other information from your diary with the diabetes care team. This will help you and your doctor to set new goals for your treatment so that you can make better decisions about controlling your blood sugar at home. You may also be given written information about test results and about any adjustments to your treatment.
Tests and examinations
At the clinic, your blood will be tested for sugar, HbA1c and possibly cholesterol. HbA1c shows how well your diabetes has been controlled over the last 8 to 12 weeks. You’ll also have your blood pressure measured regularly. You should have your blood sugar meter checked occasionally. Your urine may be tested for sugar, ketones and albumin. Regular examinations of your heart, eyes, feet, and nervous system are important. You should have them examined once a year or even more frequently, if a problem exists. You may also discuss your weight and diet with a dietitian.
It may be helpful to
Your family and friends can be a great support to you in taking care of your diabetes. Your family should know what is going on at the clinic. It may be helpful to bring a family member to clinic appointments from time to time, or you may prefer to bring a friend. Your friend can ask questions and help you learn from the diabetes care team.
It’s up to you to
Your diabetes care team can offer you advice, but it’s ultimately up to you to carry out your treatment plan. Sometimes, even if you do everything your diabetes care team advises, your body may not respond as expected. Adjustments in your treatment may be needed. Since you are the first to detect any problems, your diabetes care team counts on you to tell them how your treatment plan is working. This will help them give you the best support.
