What to Expect From the Doctor If You Have Diabetes

Diabetes is a complex disease involving many organs and systems. Taking good care of diabetes is often best obtained when you work with a team of doctors and other healthcare professionals. It's common today for a person with diabetes to be seen not only by our Diabetes Care Center staff, but also a range of specialist physicians who might include an endocrinologist, cardiologist, nephrologist, ophthalmologist and podiatrist to help with the various complications of the illness. It is also common that the family physician directs the care of a diabetes patient. It's important for the patient to know what to expect from the doctor and when to ask for additional expert help.

Here are some pointers:

Neither you nor your doctor should underestimate diabetes. It is a serious disease that can cause serious complications.

How much work are you willing to do with diet, exercise, blood sugar testing and medications? You and your doctor, together, should decide on the treatment goals. Are you interested in following conventional therapy, or more aggressive intensive therapy that will help keep blood sugar levels closer to normal range and reduce the risk of diabetes complications?

Take written records of your blood sugar readings to every appointment so you can discuss your progress. Your doctor should also monitor your A1C level, a blood test that shows diabetes control and the risk of developing complications, every three to six months. Discuss what the results mean in relation to your goals.

Your needs will change with time, so your physician should offer ongoing education by a competent diabetes team.

Does your doctor screen for and treat complications? Aggressive blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride treatment is essential. In addition to routine blood tests, your doctor should examine your feet at every visit, run urine tests every year or as needed, and order a thallium stress test as needed. He or she should offer to you the pneumonia vaccine once and flu vaccine annually, refer you for a dilated eye exam annually or as needed, and remind you to have regular dental cleanings.

Whenever your family physician orders a new medication or a medical procedure or surgery, he or she should discuss the risks and benefits with you. What impact will this have on the diabetes, and what complications may arise because of the disease? Remind your doctor about your diabetes and the medications that you take so that he or she can adjust any treatment as needed.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for a referral to an endocrinologist if your family physician cannot control your blood sugar or diabetes complications. That's what specialists are for!

Maria Gough is a Nurse Manager at the Diabetes Care Center, Baptist Hospital.

Baptist Health South Florida is the largest faith-based, not-for-profit health care organization in the region, with an outstanding reputation for medical and service excellence. Its network of services extends throughout Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties with Baptist, Baptist Children's, South Miami, Homestead, Mariners and Doctors Hospitals, and Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute.