Your doctor is your partner in your diabetes care. For this reason, it is important:

• To make an action plan
• To talk about your diabetes and treatment options
• To ask questions if you do not get the care you expect
• To develop a way that will notify medical personnel of your condition in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself

Here is a checklist to take with you when you go to a doctor:

At every visit:

• Check your weight and blood pressure. Your blood pressure should be 130/80.
• Look at your feet.
• Review your management goals and action plan.

Every 3-6 months:

• Give you an A1c test, which shows your blood sugar levels. Your A1c level should be less than 7 percent.

At least once a year:

• Check your blood cholesterol levels: your LDL (bad) cholesterol should be less than 100; less than 70 for people at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Your HDL (good) cholesterol should be more than 40 for men and more than 50 for women.
• Check your triglycerides, type of fat in blood, which should be less than 150.
• Check your total cholesterol, which should be less than 200.
• Check your kidneys by measuring your albumin, a protein in the urine, which should be less than 30 mg/ 24 hours.
• Arrange for you to get a dilated eye exam (with an optometrist/ ophthalmologist).
• Check your feet with a special tool to make sure they have feeling.
• Give you a flu shot.

Once-after diagnosis:

• Give you a pneumonia shot.

Also, ask your doctor about a daily aspirin therapy to prevent heart disease.