View the Health Heart Book

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's
online community.

Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of diabetes. If your child is experiencing symptoms of diabetes, you might see your child's pediatrician. If blood sugar levels are extremely high, you'll likely be sent to the emergency room. If blood sugar levels aren't so high as to put you or your child immediately at risk, you may be referred to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in diabetes, among other disorders.

Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's good to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance. This will likely include restricting your diet, such as for a fasting blood sugar test.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes. If you're monitoring your glucose values at home, bring a record of the glucose results, detailing the dates and times of testing.
  • Make a list of any allergies you have and all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
  • Record your family medical history. In particular, note any relatives who have had diabetes, heart attacks or strokes.
  • Take along a family member or friend, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor. Be clear about aspects of your diabetes management that need clarification.
  • Be aware if you need any prescription refills. Your doctor can renew your prescriptions while you're there.

Preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important, in case time runs out. For diabetes, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • Are the symptoms I'm experiencing now related to my diabetes or another condition?
  • What kinds of tests do I need to best manage my diabetes?
  • What else can I do to protect my health?
  • What are other options to manage my diabetes?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • Should I see another specialist, such as a dietitian or diabetes educator?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms that concerned you about the possibility that you have diabetes?
  • Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
  • How severe are your symptoms?
  • Is there a family history of preeclampsia or diabetes?
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Masharani U. Diabetes mellitus & hypoglycemia. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=15524. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
  2. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2011. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(suppl):1.
  3. Diabetes overview. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/overview/DiabetesOverview.pdf. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
  4. Diabetes mellitus (DM). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec12/ch158/ch158b.html#sec12-ch158-ch158b-1105. Accessed Dec. 2, 2010.
  5. Knip M, et al. Dietary intervention in infancy and later signs of beta-cell autoimmunity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;363:1900.
  6. Am I at risk for type 2 diabetes? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/riskfortype2/. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
  7. Diabetes and pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp051.cfm?printerFriendly=yes. Accessed Dec. 2, 2010.
  8. Diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/diabetes_mellitus__type_2/management_of_type_2_diabetes_mellitus__9.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
  9. Burrows NR, et al. Incidence of treatment for end-stage renal disease among individuals with diabetes in the U.S. continues to decline. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:73.
  10. Zhang X, et al. Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the United States, 2005-2008. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2010;304:649.
  11. Matsuzaki T, et al. Insulin resistance is associated with the pathology of Alzheimer disease. Neurology. 2010;75:764.
  12. Giovanucci E, et al. Diabetes and cancer: A consensus report. CA: A Journal for Cancer Clinicians. 2010;60:1.
  13. Gestational diabetes. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/gestational_diabetes.cfm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2010.
  14. Stoner GD. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. American Family Physician. 2005;71:1723.
  15. Church TS, et al. Effects of aerobic and resistance training on hemoglobin A1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2010;304:2253.
  16. McCulloch DK. Overview of medical care in adults with diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
  17. Natural Medicines in the Clinical Management of Diabetes. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 2, 2010.
  18. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2011. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(suppl):1.
  19. Health care guideline: Routine prenatal Care. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2010. http://www.icsi.org/prenatal_care_4/prenatal_care__routine__full_version__2.htm. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  20. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin. Clinical management guidelines for obstetrician-gynecologists. Number 30, September 2001 (replaces Technical Bulletin Number 200, December 1994). Gestational diabetes. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2001;98:525.
  21. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Use of hepatitis B vaccine for adults with diabetes mellitus: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2011:60;1709.
DS01121 Jan. 25, 2012

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger