Diabetes UK has shared information about the health checks you should expect to have when you are diagnosed with diabetes. This is ahead of Diabetes Week between 2nd June and 8th June which is our chance to raise awareness of this condition.
Diabetes can cause other health problems that can become serious if not picked up and monitored or treated in the early stages. So regular diabetes health checks – sometimes called your yearly or annual review – are part of your routine NHS treatment.
What diabetes health checks should you be getting?
Blood test
A blood test where enough blood is taken to be sent to the lab to check your:
- HbA1c your average blood sugar levels for the past three months
- Cholesterol levels how much fat is in your blood
- Kidney function how well your kidneys are working.
Urine samples
You should be asked to provide a urine sample that is sent to the lab to check for signs of kidney disease.
Foot checks
A foot check which may be done safely once every two years if your last check showed no problems.
General health checks
- Your weight and height measured to work out your Body Mass Index (BMI).
- Your blood pressure measured.
- Your healthcare team will also ask if you smoke, so you can be offered help to stop.
Eye checks
It may not be at your annual review appointment and is likely to be done by a different team, but you should also be invited to a diabetic eye check. This is not the same as a sight test at an optician.
At your diabetic eye check, photos are taken of your eyes to see how diabetes is affecting them, as it can damage the blood vessels and cause an eye problem called diabetic retinopathy.
If your last diabetic eye check was clear, it may be safely offered once every two years rather than once a year.
More information
Diabetes UK has more information about the health checks you can expect to get when you have diabetes.
If you have diabetes and you have any information about your checks, please speak to your healthcare professional either at your GP practice or hospital clinic.
You can find information about local diabetes services on our ‘service finder’.
