What to Ask Your Doctor about Type 2 Diabetes

What to Ask Your Doctor about Type 2 Diabetes

Why should I talk to my doctor about diabetes?
Simply put, the earlier that you find out you have diabetes, the sooner you can get treatment and prevent the common and debilitating complications of this disease. Type 2 diabetes usually develops gradually, meaning that blood sugar levels may be elevated above normal but not yet to a point considered diabetes (called prediabetes) for years before diabetes develops. If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, you can institute lifestyle changes to prevent or forestall the onset of diabetes.

If you are member of a high risk group it is important to talk to your doctor about type 2 diabetes even if you are not having any symptoms. Type 2 diabetes can develop without any noticeable symptoms and may progress to the point of causing debilitating complications such as vision loss or foot infections before you even know you have it. Discussing your lifestyle honestly with your doctor can help determine your overall risk for the disease and help him or her determine how often to be tested.

Being diagnosed with diabetes does not mean there is no hope. On the contrary, type 2 diabetes is very treatable: lifestyle changes alone can dramatically impact your blood sugar levels and may even cause disease remission. Several types of medications to help manage type 2 diabetes are already available and many new medications are on the horizon. Don’t let fear of a diagnosis prevent you from seeing the doctor until it is too late.

How do I talk to my doctor about type 2 diabetes?
The best thing you can do is be prepared. Know the questions you want to ask and come prepared to answer the questions that the doctor will likely ask of you. It may be helpful to bring a list of your questions with you to your appointment. If you are taking medications you can bring a list of those as well (including both prescription and non-prescription drugs). You may be asked to provide a medical history, including any past illnesses, surgeries, and treatments (including mental health treatment) so knowing the dates of these is helpful.

If you do have symptoms, tell your doctor what they are, when they began, how often they happen, and whether they are getting better, worse, or staying the same. Keeping a journal of your symptoms will help you keep track of them and help you talk about them with your doctor.

When your doctor asks you questions about your lifestyle, you should answer them truthfully. Sometimes people are embarrassed to admit that they smoke, or drink, or eat fast food, but your doctor needs to know these things to help you. Most doctors will not judge you; just taking the initiative to come and see them shows that you are interested in taking control of your health and that is commendable.

It is a good idea to take notes, bring a tape recorder, or ask a friend or family member to come with you to help you remember what your doctor tells you. Medical information can be overwhelming, especially when you are faced with a lot of it all at once.

Make sure you understand any diagnoses the doctor gives you and any tests ordered or treatments prescribed. Ask your doctor to explain if he or she says something that you do not understand. Speak up. Let your doctor know if he or she has not answered your question or addressed your concern. Tell your doctor if a treatment is not working or if you are having side effects. He or she may prescribe a different treatment that might work better for you.

What questions will the doctor ask me to help determine if I have type 2 diabetes?
In addition to a routine medical history, the doctor may ask questions about your risk factors for diabetes and your recent symptom history. You should come prepared to answer the following questions:

Does anyone in your family have type 2 diabetes?
What is your race/ethnicity?
Are you 45 or older?
Do you know your body mass index (BMI)?
How often do you exercise?
Have you had your cholesterol and triglycerides levels checked within the last year?
Do you have high blood pressure?
Have you ever been diagnosed with prediabetes or with impaired glucose tolerance?
What is your diet like (do you eat a lot of fast food or mostly vegetables and whole grains)?
Have you noticed any skin darkening around the neck or armpits?

Women only:
Have you ever had gestational diabetes?
Have you ever been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? 

Have you experienced any of the following recently?
Extreme hunger
Weight loss
Increased thirst and/or frequent urination
Fatigue
Nausea or vomiting
Blurred vision
Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
Erectile dysfunction
Numbness or tingling in the extremities
Sores or infections on your feet

What questions should I ask my doctor about type 2 diabetes?
If you have not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes you can ask your physician these questions about diabetes:

What is my risk for type 2 diabetes?
What can I do to lower my risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
What is my blood sugar level?
How often should I have my blood sugar tested for diabetes?
What is my body mass index or BMI? Do I need to lose weight for my health?
What is my blood pressure? What does it mean for me and what do I need to do about it?
What are my cholesterol numbers and triglycerides? What should I do about them?
How much physical activity do I need to do to help lower my diabetes risk?
What type of exercise should I be doing to control my risk?
What is a healthy eating plan for me? Should I see a registered dietitian or qualified nutritionist to learn more about healthy eating?
What types of foods will help me control my risk of diabetes?
What are the treatment options for type 2 diabetes?
What questions should I ask my doctor if I have already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?
If you have already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes there are questions you should ask your doctor about managing your disease and reducing your risk of complications. You should always discuss any changes in your diet, exercise, energy level, or medicines with a health professional.

How can I best manage my diabetes?
Will I always have diabetes?
What are the long-term complications of diabetes?
What can I do to avoid the long term complications of diabetes?
What kinds of lifestyle changes can I make to stay healthy?
What medicines are available for treating type 2 diabetes? Which do you recommend for me and why?
Will I always need to take medications?
What level of activity is OK for me? Are there specific exercises I should do? Are there activities I should avoid?
How can I explain my condition to my friends and family? To my boss?
Can you give an example of patient who made some simple changes and improved their diabetes?
How often should I check my blood sugar levels at home with a glucose monitor?
When is the best time to check my blood sugars?
What are my goals regarding my blood sugar level?
What are the warning signs or symptoms that my blood sugar is too high or too low?
How do high cholesterol and high blood pressure affect me if I have diabetes?
How often should I see the doctor to best manage my diabetes?
How should I take care of my feet?
Do you of any diabetes support groups in our area?
What questions should I ask my doctor about type 2 diabetes medications?
What is the name of the medicine? Does it have a less expensive generic available?
When and how should I take it? For how long?
How does the medicine work?
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Are there other, similar medications in the same class that work in a similar way?
Are there foods or activities I should avoid when taking the medicine?
How will I know if the medicine is working?
What are the side effects? What should I do if I recognize them?
Are there any long term risks of taking this medication?
Where can I find out more about the medicine?
What questions should I ask my doctor about diet and weight control?
You may be asked to change your diet and lose weight in order to reduce your risk of developing diabetes or its complications. For some people, this may require a radical departure from their normal eating habits. You should make sure to get clarification on specific foods or ingredients you should eat and those you should avoid. You may also want to ask about methods to help you lose weight safely and effectively.

 Questions you can ask are:

What kinds of food should I eat, what should I restrict, and what should I avoid completely?
What should my daily calorie, fat and cholesterol intake be?
Are there cooking tips that I can use?
Is there a good way to control portion size?
Can I still eat out? What about fast food?
Can I still eat _ (insert a favorite indulgence food, e.g. chocolate, ice-cream, candy)?
How do I read food labels?
What is a realistic goal for a healthy weight for me?
Should I see a nutritionist or dietician to help with my diet?
Should I keep a food diary of what I eat?
How much physical activity do I need to do? What are the best types of activities for me?
How can I maintain a healthy weight after losing those pounds?
Should I follow an established set of dieting guidelines?