What to Expect When You See a Doctor for Diabetes

Telltale warning signs, such as unusual or increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, or tingling in hands or feet, followed by a blood test confirms you have Type 2 diabetes. Not what you want to hear, but nonetheless the diagnosis means you will need to make changes to your diet and lifestyle.

The next step is a meeting with your healthcare provider to develop a plan to manage your diabetes. In addition to your primary care provider, the meeting may include an endocrinologist who treats hormone problems, since diabetes is a problem that affects how your body produces and uses insulin (a hormone); a diabetes care and education specialist; and a registered dietician. Other medical professionals may be brought into your care team such as an ophthalmologist, because diabetes can affect your vision; and a podiatrist, who can advise about the potential of diabetes to affect nerve damage.

Your medical team will want an accurate, up-to-date list of medications for all your health conditions, not just diabetes. That includes over-the-counter medications, supplements, and even herbal remedies.

What you will learn about diabetes management

Healthy eating: Your healthcare team will provide recommendations on healthy eating. To keep your blood sugars within the target range, eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups in the amount outlined in a prescribed meal plan. The food groups are: vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, and dairy (nonfat or low fat). You also want to eat foods with heart-healthy fats, which come from: [1]

• oils that are liquid at room temperature, such as canola and olive oil
• nuts and seeds
• heart-healthy fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel
• avocado

Also, limit fried foods, foods high in saturated and trans fats and salt, sweets, and beverages with added sugars.

Being active: You cannot overstate the importance of exercise to control weight, strengthen your heart and improve circulation to lower the risk of heart disease. Regular exercise also can lower blood pressure and triglyceride (fat) levels.  Harvard Health points out that for people with diabetes, exercise has the added benefit of lowering blood glucose levels and boosting the body’s sensitivity to insulin to counter insulin resistance. [2]

Glucose monitoring: Your healthcare team will provide guidance on recording your blood glucose numbers, how often and at what times of the day. You will learn what is too high and what is too low and what to do if sugar is too high or low.

Taking medications: Your healthcare team will advise you on what medications to take, if there are side effects, and what happens if you miss a dose.

Questions to ask

Knowledge is certainly power and you want to be as knowledgeable as you can to manage your diabetes.  Here are additional issues/questions to review with your doctor and other medical professionals involved in your care to make sure you are doing all the right things:

• Ask about the range of diabetes treatment options to make sure you are using the best for your condition.
• Find out what to do if symptoms get worse.
• Ask to review lab test results and discuss their significance and what you can do to improve your numbers, if needed.
• Discuss the risk of complications and other conditions that result from diabetes, for example a heart attack or stroke.
• Find out how often you should check your feet, what a thorough examination involves, and which problems you should call your doctor about.

• Ask what goes into daily foot care and what type of shoes and socks you should wear.

• Ask how often to have your eyes checked.
• Find out about managing your diabetes when traveling.

Be open about challenges

Make sure to let your doctor and the others on your medical team know if you are experiencing emotional, mental, or even financial issues since learning you have diabetes. They can refer you to professionals who can answer questions and help alleviate your concerns.

[1] “Diabetes Diet, Eating& Physical Activity,” NDDK, Accessed May 20, 2024. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/diet-eating-physical-activity

[2] “The importance of exercise when you have diabetes,” Harvard Health Publishing,” February 3, 2021. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-exercise-when-you-have-diabetes