The biggest fear of those with type 2 diabetes is developing the complications that the disease can cause in the long term. However, it is possible to reduce this risk by controlling not only blood glucose, but also other risk factors such as blood pressure and high cholesterol. The evaluation of these parameters is carried out through regular consultations and the performance of some tests both to assess whether the control goals for these parameters are being achieved, and to identify the appearance of complications as quickly as possible.
For patients who do not use insulin, measuring fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin testing, both carried out through blood tests, are generally sufficient. Remembering that glycated hemoglobin is a test that represents your average blood glucose level over the last three months.
On the other hand, patients who use insulin need a more comprehensive evaluation. In addition to fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin, it is necessary to monitor blood glucose levels more frequently, either through capillary blood glucose tests, the so-called fingertip test, or continuous monitoring of glucose in the subcutaneous tissue using devices.
How often is it recommended that you take control exams?
Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin measurements should be taken every three to four months. Cholesterol control is also very important in patients with diabetes and should be evaluated every six months with blood tests.
At least once a year, patients with diabetes should be evaluated for the presence of cardiovascular factors such as high blood pressure, age, family history of early cardiovascular disease and other parameters and, based on this, assess the need for other cardiac tests.
Knowing which risk factors the patient presents, they are classified as low, intermediate, high or very high risk of cardiovascular disease. In cases of high or very high risk, it is up to the doctor to intensify lifestyle changes, cholesterol treatment and introduce diabetes medications that act more effectively and also prevent these cardiac events.
Monitoring diabetic patients must be done closely with regular consultations and frequent exams, not scheduling and scheduling your appointments according to your doctor’s instructions, and above all, don’t miss the segment with your doctor and don’t miss appointments.
For more information, watch the video on the Doutor Ajuda channel on YouTube.
Photo: Reproduction/Canal Doutor Ajuda
