Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Blood Sugar Control


	The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) showed that people with insulin-dependent diabetes who keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible can reduce their risk of eye, kidney and nerve diseases. Ask your doctor how you can improve blood sugar control. Questions you may want to ask include: What is my glycosylated hemoglobin (a test that measures average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months)? What is a normal glycosylated hemoglobin? How can I get my glycosylated hemoglobin in the normal range? How often and under what conditions should I test my blood sugar? What should I do with the results? What patterns should I try to achieve? What changes should we make in my program as a result of the findings of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)? Do I have microalbuminuria (detection of tiny amounts of albumin in urine indicating early diabetic kidney disease)? What effect has diabetes had on my eyes and kidneys? When should I get together with a dietitian to review what I eat? What exercises are best for me? What adjustments to my food or insulin should I make if I plan to exercise? What should my family and friends do if my blood sugar goes so low that I need their help? (For women) What should I do about taking care of my diabetes if I plan to become pregnant? How should I take care of my feet? Are there any diabetes groups that I could attend in our area?
	For an information kit write: National Diabetes Outreach Program One Diabetes Way Bethesda, Maryland 20892-3600 or CALL 1-800-GET LEVEL 1-800-438-5383
	National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse 1 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3560 E-mail: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Public Health Service. Established in 1978, the clearinghouse provides information about diabetes to people with diabetes and their families, health care professionals, and the public. NDIC answers inquiries; develops, reviews, and distributes publications; and works closely with professional and patient organizations and government agencies to coordinate resources about diabetes. Publications produced by the clearinghouse are reviewed carefully for scientific accuracy, content, and readability. This e-text is not copyrighted. The clearinghouse encourages users of this e-pub to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.
	e-text posted: 20 February 1998

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse