If you have diabetes, there are multiple things you should ask your doctor.
However, I have identified 5 must knows.
If you don't know these things about your diabetes, you could end up with kidney damage (and on dialysis), eye damage (and blind), and nerve damage in your hands and feet.
Question #1: Is my diabetes controlled? To answer this, you should know your hemoglobin A1C level.
This lab tells you the percentage of your red blood cells attached to sugar.
In non-diabetics it's usually less than 6%.
If your diabetes is controlled, you want this number to be less than 7% (the closer to 6.
5 the better).
As this A1C level climbs over 7, you can have life-threatening complications.
The aforementioned question is probably the most important.
Question #2: How often should I see an eye doctor? A diabetic should see an eye doctor at least once per year.
You may have to see one more frequently if you have eye disease.
Uncontrolled diabetes can cause an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy.
This kind of retinopathy causes the blood vessels at the back of the eye to grow and may beeven burst and bleed.
Progression can lead to permanent blindness.
Diabetics are at greater risk for cataracts due to the higher blood sugars.
Question#3: Do I have kidney damage from my diabetes? If the answer to this question is yes, then you need to see a kidney doctor (a nephrologist).
Diabetes is the number one cause in the U.
S.
of people losing their kidney function and needing dialysis (stage 5 kidney disease).
If you have kidney disease, ask your doctor to tell you the stage.
There are 5 stages.
The higher the stage the worse the kidney function.
Stage 1 is mild, and at stage 5, you will most likely need dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Your creatinine level (waste product in your blood), age, sex, race, and weight are all used to calculate the kidney function or stage of kidney function.
Question#4: What is my vitamin D level? If you have stage 3 or greater kidney disease, you are at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
Ask your doctor if you need vitamin D levels? If you do, you need25-vitamin D and 1,25-vitamin levels.
Dependingon which level is low and which stage of kidney disease you are in will determine the specific treatment.
The skin and liver are involved with critical steps in vitamin D production, but it is the kidney that activates or gives life to vitamin D.
1,25-vitamin D is the active and usable form of vitamin D.
Your parathyroid glands are four little glands around the thyroid gland in the front part ofyour neck.
It helps to regulate the calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D production via a hormone called parthyroid hormone (PTH).
As one progresses in kidney disease, this gland may be damaged.
If you have stage 3 or greater kidney disease, you need a PTH level in addition to the said vitamin D levels.
A high PTH level combined with calcium problems and vitamin D deficiency can lead to weakened and painful bones.
Question #5: How often should I be checking my blood sugar? The frequency of blood sugar checks should be tailor-made for you.
This is a decision you should make in consultation with your doctor.
You should however be checking your blood sugar at least twice per day before eating.
There are some circumstances where you should check your sugar after eating (postprandial).
Diabetics on an insulin pump may have to check their sugars 4 or more times per day.
Again, consult with your physician.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to nerve damage called neuropathy.
This can lead to a loss or decrease in the sense of pain, touch, and vibration.
However, pain and tingling can be signs of neuropathy.
Final Words: Diabetes control is not an accident.
You have to be intentional about diabetes control and your health and wellness.
Make sure you ask these key questions.
As an aside, if you are on a certain diabetic medicine (metformin) for at least one year, you could be at risk for low vitamin B12levels.
Find out if you need B12, calcium, vitamin D or necessary adaptogens.
However, I have identified 5 must knows.
If you don't know these things about your diabetes, you could end up with kidney damage (and on dialysis), eye damage (and blind), and nerve damage in your hands and feet.
Question #1: Is my diabetes controlled? To answer this, you should know your hemoglobin A1C level.
This lab tells you the percentage of your red blood cells attached to sugar.
In non-diabetics it's usually less than 6%.
If your diabetes is controlled, you want this number to be less than 7% (the closer to 6.
5 the better).
As this A1C level climbs over 7, you can have life-threatening complications.
The aforementioned question is probably the most important.
Question #2: How often should I see an eye doctor? A diabetic should see an eye doctor at least once per year.
You may have to see one more frequently if you have eye disease.
Uncontrolled diabetes can cause an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy.
This kind of retinopathy causes the blood vessels at the back of the eye to grow and may beeven burst and bleed.
Progression can lead to permanent blindness.
Diabetics are at greater risk for cataracts due to the higher blood sugars.
Question#3: Do I have kidney damage from my diabetes? If the answer to this question is yes, then you need to see a kidney doctor (a nephrologist).
Diabetes is the number one cause in the U.
S.
of people losing their kidney function and needing dialysis (stage 5 kidney disease).
If you have kidney disease, ask your doctor to tell you the stage.
There are 5 stages.
The higher the stage the worse the kidney function.
Stage 1 is mild, and at stage 5, you will most likely need dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Your creatinine level (waste product in your blood), age, sex, race, and weight are all used to calculate the kidney function or stage of kidney function.
Question#4: What is my vitamin D level? If you have stage 3 or greater kidney disease, you are at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
Ask your doctor if you need vitamin D levels? If you do, you need25-vitamin D and 1,25-vitamin levels.
Dependingon which level is low and which stage of kidney disease you are in will determine the specific treatment.
The skin and liver are involved with critical steps in vitamin D production, but it is the kidney that activates or gives life to vitamin D.
1,25-vitamin D is the active and usable form of vitamin D.
Your parathyroid glands are four little glands around the thyroid gland in the front part ofyour neck.
It helps to regulate the calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D production via a hormone called parthyroid hormone (PTH).
As one progresses in kidney disease, this gland may be damaged.
If you have stage 3 or greater kidney disease, you need a PTH level in addition to the said vitamin D levels.
A high PTH level combined with calcium problems and vitamin D deficiency can lead to weakened and painful bones.
Question #5: How often should I be checking my blood sugar? The frequency of blood sugar checks should be tailor-made for you.
This is a decision you should make in consultation with your doctor.
You should however be checking your blood sugar at least twice per day before eating.
There are some circumstances where you should check your sugar after eating (postprandial).
Diabetics on an insulin pump may have to check their sugars 4 or more times per day.
Again, consult with your physician.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to nerve damage called neuropathy.
This can lead to a loss or decrease in the sense of pain, touch, and vibration.
However, pain and tingling can be signs of neuropathy.
Final Words: Diabetes control is not an accident.
You have to be intentional about diabetes control and your health and wellness.
Make sure you ask these key questions.
As an aside, if you are on a certain diabetic medicine (metformin) for at least one year, you could be at risk for low vitamin B12levels.
Find out if you need B12, calcium, vitamin D or necessary adaptogens.