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Seeing Your Health Care Provider

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Regular visits with your diabetes care team are very important to managing your diabetes. 

It is common to see your diabetes care provider every 3-4 months after you are initially diagnosed.   If you are meeting all your goals and are confident at self-managing your diabetes, your visits may stretch to every six months.   
At your first few visits, you and your diabetes care provider will make a plan for managing your diabetes.  Topics typically covered include goals for your
  • blood glucose (sugar)
  • weight
  • blood pressure
  • medication use
  • physical activity
  • blood cholesterol and other blood fat tests
  • kidney and liver function tests
Diabetes experts advise that certain tests are done on a regular basis to assist with diabetes care decision making. 
Every three months:
  • Hemoglobin A1-c - often referred to as just "A1-C"  - can be less often if the blood glucose is well controlled
  • Blood pressure check
  • Weight check
  • Foot exam
Every six months:
  • Dental Exam
Every year:
  • Comprehensive foot exam
  • Blood cholesterol and other blood fats (lipids)
  • Kidney tests
  • Liver function tests
  • Dilated Eye Exam
  • Flu Shot
During follow-up visits, adjustments in your diabetes care plan will be discussed to help you achieve your optimal diabetes control and health.