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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffAfter you've been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you'll need close medical follow-up until your blood sugar level stabilizes and your doctor determines the proper dose of insulin. Diabetes care is generally coordinated by a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders (endocrinologist), but your health care team will also likely include a certified diabetes educator, a nutritionist, a social worker, a doctor who specializes in eye care (ophthalmologist) and a doctor who specializes in foot health (podiatrist).
Once your blood sugar is under control, your endocrinologist will likely recommend checkups every few months. A thorough yearly exam and regular foot and eye exams also are important — especially if your diabetes isn't well controlled, if you have high blood pressure or kidney disease, or if you're pregnant.
Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Additionally, your appointment may include visits with several members of your health care team as well as your doctor. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down any concerns you have as they occur, and take that list to your appointment. Once your diabetes is in good control, the initial symptoms of diabetes should disappear. However, you may have new issues that you need to address, such as recurring low blood sugar episodes or how to address high blood sugar after eating certain foods.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes. Many factors can affect your diabetes control, including stress.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor and other health care providers is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time may help you make the most of your time. For type 1 diabetes, some topics you may want to address with your doctor, dietitian or diabetes educator include:
- The frequency and timing of blood glucose monitoring
- Insulin therapy — types of insulin used, timing of dosing, amount of dose
- Insulin administration — shots versus pumps
- Low blood sugar — how to recognize and treat
- High blood sugar — how to recognize and treat
- Ketones — testing and treatment
- Nutrition — types of food and their effect on blood sugar
- Carbohydrate counting
- Exercise — adjusting insulin and food intake for activity
- Medical management — how often to visit the doctor and other diabetes care specialists
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
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:
- How comfortable are you managing your diabetes?
- How often are you having low blood sugar episodes?
- Are you still aware of when your blood sugar is getting low?
- What's a typical day's diet like?
- Are you exercising? If so, how often?
- On average, how much insulin are you using daily?
What you can do in the meantime
If your blood sugar isn't well controlled, or if you're not sure about what to do in a certain situation, don't hesitate to contact your doctor or diabetes educator in between appointments for advice and guidance.
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