So, you have received a diagnosis of having Type 2 diabetes. Now what? Of course, you have to change your eating habits and incorporate more fruit, vegetables and whole grains while limiting your carbohydrate and fat intake. And of course, you need to exercise more. But is that it? No! You also need to have certain tests performed and have checkups at the appropriate times, or else everything else you are implementing may be in vain.

Appointments:

Doctor appointments. Your primary doctor is going to want to follow-up with you periodically, especially since you are newly diagnosed. This is even more true if you have been placed on a particular oral medication, or maybe even insulin; or if you have other pressing health issues that warrant concern.

Be sure to attend all appointments. If you have to reschedule, make sure you make it as soon as possible and go. Even if you are feeling fine you still need to be seen.

Examinations:

1. Regular eye examinations. Your eyes are susceptible to many different conditions as a result of having Type 2 diabetes and high blood sugar. Keeping them healthy is important enough that you need to schedule routine eye examinations.

If your vision is gradually deteriorating you might not pick up on the changes easily because they are so subtle. By the time you become aware of them, the changes could have caused unnecessary damage. It’s better to go and get an okay than to wait and risk permanent eye damage.

2. Foot examinations. It is imperative you examine your feet each day to ensure you are not experiencing open sores and infections. Left unattended, a sore can quickly escalate from a simple open wound to a major infection which if undetected could lead to amputation of your foot or even your leg. That should be enough motivation for you to occasionally check out the overall health of your feet.

You should also have a sensory test to make sure there is no nerve damage in your feet. Your doctor will test for this plus lesions or ulcers and the quality of your circulation.

Tests:

1. Every diabetic needs to have a HbA1c laboratory test performed every three months. These tests will determine with accuracy how well you have been controlling your blood sugar. This can serve as a serious wake-up call for many Type 2 diabetics who have not been keeping their disease under control or who might even be in denial concerning the need to better control it.

2. Diabetics should also undergo a yearly kidney test to detect early kidney disease. The test looks for a specific protein known as albumin. When this protein appears, it means the individual is beginning to experience kidney disease. Regular monitoring of kidney function can detect problems at the earliest stage, therefore reducing the risk of end stage kidney disease.