A routine diabetes visit is often short, and it is easy to leave with the A1C result and little else. Bringing a written list of questions helps you cover the checks that protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and feet. This article lists the tests most guidelines recommend and the questions worth asking about each.

Your A1C and home readings

• What is my A1C today, and how does it compare with my last result?
• What A1C target is right for me?
• Do my home readings match my A1C, and should I test at different times of day?
• Would a continuous glucose monitor help me, and would my insurance cover one?

Blood pressure and cholesterol

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes, so blood pressure and cholesterol matter as much as blood sugar. The American Diabetes Association recommends checking blood pressure at every visit and suggests a target below 130/80 for many people with diabetes. Cholesterol is usually checked at diagnosis and then at least every few years, or more often if you take medication for it.

• What was my blood pressure today, and what is my target?
• When were my cholesterol levels last checked, and should I be on a statin?

Kidney tests

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the United States, and early kidney damage has no symptoms. Two tests, recommended at least once a year, catch it early. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio checks for protein leaking into the urine, and the eGFR, calculated from a blood test, estimates how well the kidneys filter.

• Have I had both kidney tests this year, and what were the results?
• Do any of my medications need a different dose because of my kidney function?

Eyes

Diabetic retinopathy can damage vision before you notice any change. Guidelines recommend a dilated eye exam by an eye doctor soon after a type 2 diagnosis and then every one to two years if previous exams were normal.

• When is my next dilated eye exam due?

Feet

High blood sugar over time can damage nerves and reduce blood flow in the feet. A comprehensive foot exam, including a test of feeling with a thin filament, is recommended at least once a year, and more often if you already have numbness or foot problems.

• Can you check my feet today?
• Is the tingling or numbness I feel related to my diabetes, and what can be done about it?

Medications

• Is each of my medications still needed, and am I taking it at the best time of day?
• What side effects should I report?
• If I take metformin, should my vitamin B12 level be checked? Long-term metformin use can lower B12, and the American Diabetes Association recommends checking it periodically.
• Is there a lower-cost option for any of my prescriptions?

Education and support

Diabetes self-management education programs teach meal planning, medication use, blood sugar monitoring and problem-solving in more depth than a short visit allows. Medicare and many private insurance plans cover them with a referral.

• Can you refer me to a diabetes education program or a registered dietitian?
• Which vaccines do I need this year?