get routine care

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