Questions to Ask Your Doctor

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) showed that people with insulin-dependent diabetes who keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible can reduce their risk of eye, kidney and nerve diseases.

Ask your doctor how you can improve blood sugar control. Questions you may want to ask include:

• What is my glycosylated hemoglobin (a test that measures average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months)? What is a normal glycosylated hemoglobin?

• How can I get my glycosylated hemoglobin in the normal range?

• How often and under what conditions should I test my blood sugar? What should I do with the results? What patterns should I try to achieve?

• What changes should we make in my program as a result of the findings of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)?

• Do I have microalbuminuria (detection of tiny amounts of albumin in urine indicating early diabetic kidney disease)?

• What effect has diabetes had on my eyes and kidneys?

• When should I get together with a dietitian to review what I eat?

• What exercises are best for me? What adjustments to my food or insulin should I make if I plan to exercise?

• What should my family and friends do if my blood sugar goes so low that I need their help?

• (For women) What should I do about taking care of my diabetes if I plan to become pregnant?

• How should I take care of my feet?

• Are there any diabetes groups that I could attend in our area?

Back to Care of Diabetes

Reprinted with permission from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

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