How Often Should I Get Checked For Diabetes?
Posted in Definition on 31. Jan, 2010
I was wondering how often i should get checked for diabetes because both my dad and my grandma have it. I know that i am at risk because it runs on my dads side of the family.
Since it runs in your family you should be checking your own glucose levels on a irregular basis. If you should see the numbers starting to rise into unacceptable levels then you should be checked out by your doctor for a definitive test.
Those unacceptable levels would be in the area of above somewhere in the area of more than 110, considerably higher if you had eaten within the last two or so hours but no higher than 180mg/dl, others may argue they should be nor higher than 140mg/dl or 160mg/dl depending on which school of thought you come from as experts are not on the same page when it comes to post meal glucose levels.
Softy,
All of the answers so far are fine. If you are young and athletic you are well on your way to living the kind of lifestyle that will be a great aid in holding off Type 2 diabetes and a great place to start from if you are ever diagnosed Type 1.
In general, a checkup once a year where you mention to your doctor a family history of diabetes should be just fine. Since you know it runs in the family, you can also be on the lookout for signs like irritability, frequent urination, extreme thirst, rapid weight loss, extreme tiredness, and blurry vision. Any of these symptoms, and especially in combination, should prompt you to consult your physician. Simple tests can then determine what’s going on.
Getting dizzy when you stand up might not be a symptom of anything other than being in good shape! If it continues and you’re concerned about it, ask your physician if you have anything to worry about.
Hope this helps!
It runs in my family as well. If your dad uses a blood sugar meter, you can use that to check your sugar anytime you are feeling that you might be “low” or “high”. I wouldn’t go to the doctor unless you notice weight gain/ loss, urinating frequently, headaches, or any of the other symptoms of diabetes.
Have an annual checkup and get tested then. Ask for an HbA1c test and if its even a bit above normal get a Glucose Tolerance Test. The sooner you get treatment, the better off you’ll be, so you really need to get tested properly at least once a year to avoid permanent damage to your body if you end up getting it.
Everyone should get an annual physical with complete blood work up. That would be a good frequency. If you should ever be diagnosed diabetic then I would recommend every 90 days.
Best Wishes