Do you have diabetes? What kind of tests do you need to get?

Regular blood sugar testing (HbA1c) for diabetics.
If you have diabetes, testing your blood sugar (HbA1c) can help you understand if your disease is under control or out of control. This test measures the amount of sugar connected to the hemoglobin in the blood. This can help determine how well the person is controlling their diabetes.

Why is this test important?
Knowing your HbA1c level helps you and your doctor know how well your blood sugar is controlled. This helps you reduce your risk of serious problems. It is important to keep blood sugar levels controlled. It is not good if your blood sugar swings from high to low. This will make your risk much higher for having problems. Possible problems can be damage to the nerves, kidneys, heart, and eyes. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can also lead to stroke.

What can you do?
Reduce your risks. Talk with your doctor about your test results. It is good to keep copies or records of your test results. Based on your HbA1c results, you may need to make life style changes. Follow the diet, medication, and exercise instructions recommended by your doctor. Keep appointments with your doctor. You should go in for checkups and lab tests as scheduled.

For more information, visit the web site:
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/stroke/