Diabetes: Tests to Watch for Complications
Topic Overview
The table below summarizes many of the tests that can be done to identify complications from diabetes, including those tests done during a physical exam. The physical exam evaluates your overall health. The doctor pays special attention to your eyes, blood vessels, heart, lungs, nerves, abdomen, and feet.
Organ or condition | Test | | |
What it shows | Target level | ||
High blood sugar | Every 3 to 6 months, have a hemoglobin A1c test. | How steady your blood sugar levels have been over time | Less than 7% for most nonpregnant adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and children with type 2 diabetes Less than 7.5% for youth younger than 18 years old with type 1 diabetes (Your goal may be lower or higher, based on your health and age.) |
High blood pressure | Every 3 to 6 months when you visit your doctor, have your blood pressure checked. If you don't see your doctor that often, at least have your blood pressure checked once a year. | Pressure of blood flow in your arteries | Your doctor will give you a goal based on your health and your age. |
Kidneys | Every year, have your urine checked for the protein albumin. Also, have your blood checked for the waste product creatinine. A glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is usually calculated using a formula that includes a person's age, gender, race, and blood creatinine level. | Whether kidney disease is developing | Less than 30 mg/g of protein in your urine GFR 90 mL/min or above |
Eyes | Every year, visit an ophthalmologist or an optometrist for a dilated eye exam (ophthalmoscopy). Some doctors may recommend less frequent eye exams (for example, every 2 years) if you have no signs of diabetic retinopathy. | Whether retinopathy (damage to back of the eye) has developed | No retinal damage |
Feet | Every 3 to 6 months when you visit your doctor, take off your socks so you will both remember to check your feet. Once a year, get a more thorough examination of your feet. This is also known as a complete foot exam. | Whether foot ulcers have developed Whether the person has lost any sensation | No foot ulcers or loss of sensation |
Teeth | Twice a year, have a dental exam. | Gum disease | Healthy gums and teeth |
Thyroid | If you have high cholesterol, or if you are a woman over 50 years old, your doctor may recommend a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test. | Thyroid disease | Normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level |
Liver | Your doctor may recommend a liver function blood test, especially if you are taking a medicine that could affect your liver. | Liver disease | Normal liver function test |
High cholesterol | Your doctor may recommend a cholesterol test when you are first diagnosed with diabetes or at age 40. | Along with other measures, cholesterol levels can help you know your risk for heart attack or stroke. | The goal in treating cholesterol is to lower your chance of having a heart attack or a stroke. The goal is not just to lower your cholesterol numbers. |
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Current as of: December 20, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Matthew I. Kim MD - Endocrinology
David C.W. Lau MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology
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Current as of: December 20, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Matthew I. Kim MD - Endocrinology & David C.W. Lau MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology