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. |
Current as of: April 16, 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