Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about diabetes:
Am I at increased risk of developing diabetes? How often should I be screened for this disease?
What signs and symptoms of diabetes should I watch for?
Could my symptoms be due to diabetes? What else could account for my symptoms?
What tests for diabetes might I need to undergo? Does my glucose test require fasting or any other preparation?
What do my test results show? What type of diabetes do I have? Will I need further testing?
What might have caused my diabetes? Is my diabetes permanent, or could it be temporary?
What are my treatment options, and which do you recommend? Will I require insulin, antidiabetic agents or other medications? What is the best method of insulin administration for me?
What is my target glucose range? How often do I need to check my glucose?
Under what circumstances do I need to perform ketone testing?
What should I do when my glucose level is too high or too low or if my ketone level is too high?
How can I tell whether I can treat hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, ketosis or other problems myself, or whether I need medical help?
Will you create a sick-day plan for me?
How much exercise should I get? What kind and how often? Are there any exercises I need to avoid?
What diet should I follow? How should I track my carbs? Can you refer me to a registered dietitian for nutrition counseling?
What foot care and skin care should I perform? Do I need to do this every day? How often should I brush and floss?
How often should I have a complete foot exam, eye exam and dental cleaning and exam? Do I need to see any other specialists? How often should I have a glycohemoglobin test and a microalbuminuria test or other test of kidney function?
Do I have or am I at risk of any diabetic complications such as heart, nerve, eye or kidney disease? How can I control or prevent these complications?
Is it safe for me to have a baby? How might my diabetes affect my pregnancy and my baby? What are the chances my baby will develop diabetes?
What else do I need to know about diabetes? Will I attend classes or get training from a certified diabetes educator? Can support groups help me? What are other good sources of information about diabetes?
How can I prevent diabetes? What if I have prediabetes, high-normal glucose or a family history of diabetes?
Should others in my family be tested for diabetes? How can I help my loved ones prevent or control diabetes?
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