Diabetes - tests and checkups
Routine diabetes tests; Diabetes - prevention
A monofilament test is done to test for nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), which may be caused by conditions such as diabetes. The monofilament is a small strand of nylon attached to a plastic base. The provider uses this monofilament to check for loss of feeling on your foot.
See Your Doctor
See your diabetes provider every 3 to 6 months. During this visit, your provider should check your:
- Blood pressure
- Weight
- Feet
See your dentist every 6 months, also.
If you are taking insulin or other injections, your provider will also examine your skin to look for signs of reactions to insulin at your injection sites. These may be hard areas or areas where fat under the skin has formed a lump.
Your provider may also check your abdomen for signs of an enlarged liver.
Eye Exams
An eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) should check your eyes every year. See an eye doctor who takes care of people with diabetes.
If you have eye problems because of diabetes, you will probably see your eye doctor more often.
Foot Exams
Your provider should check the pulses in your feet and your reflexes at least once a year. Your provider should also look for:
- Calluses
- Infections
- Sores
- Thick toenails
- Loss of feeling anywhere in your feet (peripheral neuropathy), done with a tool called a monofilament
If you have had foot ulcers before, see your provider every 3 to 6 months. It is always a good idea to ask your provider to check your feet.
Hemoglobin A1C Tests
An A1C lab test shows how well you are controlling your blood sugar levels over a 3-month period.
The normal level is less than 5.7%. Most people with diabetes should aim for an A1C of less than 7%. Some people have a higher target. Your provider will help decide what your target should be.
Higher A1C numbers mean that your blood sugar is higher and that you may be more likely to have complications from your diabetes.
Cholesterol
A cholesterol profile test measures cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. You should have this kind of test in the morning, after not eating since the night before.
Most adults with type 2 diabetes should have this test once a year. People age 40 or over with high cholesterol or on medicines to control their cholesterol may have this test more often.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure should be measured at every visit. Talk to your provider about what your blood pressure goal should be.
Kidney Tests
Once a year, you should have a urine test that looks for a protein called albumin.
Your provider will also have you take a blood test every year that measures how well your kidneys work.
References
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 4. Comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment of comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S52-S76. PMID: 38078591
Brownlee M, Aiello LP, Sun JK, et al. Complications of diabetes mellitus. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 37.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Your diabetes care schedule.
Dhatariya KK, Umpierrez GE, Crandall JP. Diabetes mellitus. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 210.
Version Info
Last reviewed on: 5/20/2024
Reviewed by: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
