Plan a routine review
Arrange a review when readings repeatedly remain above or below the target agreed with your clinician, when your treatment plan has changed, or when it is time to reassess long-term risk.
Routine visits may include blood pressure, weight, HbA1c, kidney tests, cholesterol review, foot assessment and discussion of eye screening.
- Glucose readings remain outside your target range
- You are due for HbA1c or complication screening
- Your diet, activity, weight or daily routine has changed
Speak to a doctor when symptoms change
Increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight change, recurrent infections, blurred vision, unusual fatigue, numbness or tingling deserve clinical review. These symptoms are not specific to diabetes, so assessment should consider the whole picture.
Discuss medicines early
Do not stop or alter prescribed diabetes medicines without clinical advice. Contact your clinician if you experience repeated low readings, vomiting, dehydration, medicine side effects, difficulty following the schedule or uncertainty during another illness.
- Carry an up-to-date medicine list
- Mention supplements and non-prescription medicines
- Ask for a clear sick-day plan
Warning signs that should not wait
- Confusion, marked drowsiness or loss of consciousness
- Severe vomiting, dehydration or inability to keep fluids down
- Deep or difficult breathing, severe weakness or rapidly worsening illness
If symptoms are severe, sudden or life-threatening, visit the nearest emergency department.
