Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Diabetes
Normal levels of blood glucose and HbA1c (blood sugar control over previous 3 months)
Normal blood glucose = 4-6 mmol/L – and less than 8 mmol/L, two hours after a meal
- Prediabetes is diagnosed if your random blood glucose = 7-11 mmol/L
- Diabetes is diagnosed if you have a random blood glucose > 11 mmol/L (or a fasting blood glucose > 7 mmol/L)
Normal HbA1c = 20-42 mmol/mol (or 4-6%)
- Prediabetes is diagnosed if your HbA1c = 42-47 mmol/mol (6-6.5%)
- Diabetes is diagnosed if your HbA1c > 47 mmol/mol or over (>6.5%).
1. Your Condition & Monitoring
- What is my target range for blood sugar? It can be normal (see above). But in older people higher than normal can be ‘better’ (say, 7-12 mmol/L) – this is because falls due to low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia or ‘hypo’) are more dangerous than the ‘benefits’ of perfect control
- What is my target range for HbA1c? 42-48 mmol/mol is a good target range, again not risking low blood sugars
- What is considered too low or too high for my blood sugar? Ditto
- How often should I check my blood sugar, and at what times of day?
- What are the signs of high or low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia/hyperglycaemia), and how do I treat them?
- When should I contact you or seek emergency care?
2. Medication & Treatment
- What medication is best for me?
- How do I take my medication (dosage, frequency, with or without food)?
- What are the potential side effects, and what should I do if I experience them?
- Will this medication interact with any other medications or supplements I am taking?
- Do I need to worry about taking insulin or other injectables, and how can you help me if I have a fear of needles?
3. Diet & Exercise
- What kind of foods can I eat, and are there any foods I should avoid?
- Do I need to change my exercise habits? If so, what kind of changes should I make?
- What should I do before exercising (e.g. check blood sugar, eat something)?
4. Complications & Prevention
- Am I at risk for other diseases like high blood pressure or high cholesterol? Do I have them, and what are the treatment options?
- What can I do to avoid or prevent complications to my eyes, kidneys (including dialysis and/or a kidney transplant), and feet?
- Are there any specific vaccinations I should get, such as for the flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, or hepatitis B?
- Do I need other tests, like for cholesterol or kidney function (U&E/GFR blood tests)?
5. Lifestyle & Long-Term Management
- How will I know if my treatment is working?
- Where can I find more information about managing diabetes and living with the condition?
- What should I do if I become sick?
- How should I manage my diabetes while traveling?
