| Step 12: Maintain Regular Check-ups | |
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To keep an eye on potential complications of diabetes, people with diabetes must have regular health check-ups and tests. These will continue through adult life. Here is a general program of continuing care recommended by the American Diabetes Association.
| Every 3 to 6 months | Regular doctor visit — the doctor will check weight and blood pressure. (Doctor visits should be more frequent if diabetes is not yet controlled.) Hemoglobin A1c test — this lab test shows the average amount of glucose that has been in the blood over the last 3 months. It is an indicator of how well the diabetes is being controlled. (Again, this should be done more often if diabetes is not yet controlled.) |
| Every year | Kidney exam — this urine test looks for "microalbumin" levels, and it should begin at puberty once the person has had diabetes at least 5 years. Eye exam — starting at age 10, all children with diabetes should have eyes checked once a year. Foot exam — the doctor should check pulse, reflexes, calluses, infections, and sores once a year. (Adults with high-risk foot conditions should be checked more frequently.) |
| Every 5 years | HDL/cholesterol test — for adults, this test should be done every year, and more often if being treated for high cholesterol. |
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