Diabetes check up – What to expect

Your doctor will likely begin your examination by asking you questions about your blood sugar readings and overall health.

  • How have you been feeling?
  • Have you been experiencing any new symptoms or problems?
  • Have you been able to keep your blood sugar within your target range?

Get ready for diabetes check up

Diabetes check up in hospital
by Fotos Gov/Ba under CC BY

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It’s important to bring your daily log of blood sugar readings with you to your appointment so your doctor can review it. He or she will be especially concerned about any episodes of high or low blood sugar, and what caused them.

Other issues your doctor may want to know for diabetes check up including:

  • Temporary adjustments you made to your treatment program, including changes in medication, to accommodate for high or low blood sugar readings


  • Problems you’re having in following your treatment program


  • Emotional and social problems you may be experiencing


  • Changes in your use of tobacco or alcohol


During your diabetes check up a member of health care team will also:

1. Check your blood pressure levels (click here to read how take your blood readings, normal blood pressure levels and hypertension symptoms). Like diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) can damage your blood vessels.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are frequently associated, and when teamed together they can speed you in the direction of a heart attack or stroke. If your blood pressure is high, you may need to take medication to control it. Controlling your high blood pressure can help prevent diabetes complications.

2. Check your weight. If you have diabetes and you’re overweight, losing weight can help you control your blood sugar. If you take a diabetes medication, weight loss may reduce your need for medication. Gaining weight can make it more difficult for you to manage high blood sugar.

3. Check your feet. At each visit your doctor should do a brief examination of your feet. At least once a year he or she should perform a thorough foot examination. During a thorough exam, your doctor is looking for:

  • Breaks in the skin, which could lead to an infection


  • Foot pulses, which indicate if you have good blood circulation in the foot, and a sense of touch, which indicates if sensory nerves in the foot are working properly


  • Normal range of motion, to make sure there is no muscle or bone damage


  • Bony deformations or evidence of increased pressure, such as calluses, which may suggest you need different shoes


If a problem is identified, you’ll need to examine your feet regularly to make sure the condition doesn’t worsen. If you’re unable to examine your feet yourself, recruit the help of a family member or a close friend.

4. Request blood, blood pressure and urine tests. Simple blood and urine tests can detect early signs of diabetes complications, such as kidney disease. The earlier you discover and treat emerging problems, the better your chances of stopping, or at least slowing, the damage.

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