Once you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, open communication with a doctor you trust will be key to managing your health. Now that you know what it means to have type 2 diabetes, you're ready to have a dialogue with your doctor about how you'll manage this disease ? together. Here are 15 questions to get the conversation started.
- Do you have special training in diabetes? If not, can you refer me to a specialist?
- How many patients with type 2 diabetes do you see?
- What tests will you do at regular office visits? How often do I have to have the tests, and what will they tell you?
- Is there anything I need to do in advance of the tests? For example, do I need to fast if I'm going to have a blood-sugar test?
- Can you refer me to a diabetes educator or a registered dietitian?
- I have a family history of heart attack and/or stroke. Will my diabetes put me at greater risk for those problems?
- How can I tell if my blood sugar is too high or too low? What should I do about either high or low blood sugar?
- Will I have to test my own blood sugar at home every day?
- What are the best treatments for type 2 diabetes?
- Will I need to take pills or inject insulin? Will I ever be able to stop using them once I start?
- What are the risks of not treating type 2 diabetes?
- How will type 2 diabetes affect me over the long term?
- What should I do if my symptoms worsen or if I experience new symptoms?
- Is it possible for type 2 diabetes to go away on its own?
- Are my kids at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes since I have it?
