Panel Two & Three: Step One: Regular Health Exams

Regular health exams can detect complications from diabetes early when they are easier to treat. Talk to your Physician and other healthcare professional about having the following tests done:

1. The Hemoglobin A1C Test: A simple test that measures your average blood sugar over a three-month period. For most people with diabetes, this test should be done at least two times per year.
2. The Dilated Retinal Eye Exam: Diabetes is the major cause of loss of vision. There may be no symptoms that your eye is damaged so get the test every year.
3. Blood Pressure Test: Having diabetes and high blood pressure puts a person at greater risk of having a heart attack and/or a stroke. You can even do the test at home! Ask your health-care provider how.
4. Cholesterol Test: This test measures the amount of fat in your blood. High cholesterol and diabetes puts you at greater risk for heart disease.
5. Kidney Test: This is a simple urine test that can identify kidney damage early.
6. Foot Exam: Foot infections are serious, and people with diabetes are at greater risk for problems like foot sores, foot pain and loss of feeling in their feet and even amputation!