Diabetes Mellitus: Get routine care.

From: NIH

Check Your Own Blood Glucose

See your health care team at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early. Ask what steps you can take to reach your goals.

At each visit be sure you have a:
blood pressure check
foot check
weight check
review of your self-care plan shown in Step 3
Two times each year get:
A1C test - it may be checked more often if it is over 7

Once each year be sure you have a:
cholesterol test
triglyceride (try-GLISS-er-ide) test - a type of blood fat
complete foot exam
dental exam to check teeth and gums - tell your dentist you have diabetes
dilated eye exam to check for eye problems
flu shot
urine and a blood test to check for kidney problems


At least once get a:
Pneumonia (nu-mo-nya) shot

Ask your health care team about these and other tests you may need. Ask what the results mean.

Write down the date and time of your next visit.

Use the card of the back of this booklet to keep a record of your diabetes care.

If you have Medicare, ask your health care team if Medicare will cover some of the costs for

learning about healthy eating and diabetes self-care
special shoes, if you need them
medical supplies
diabetes medicines