The more I read on this forum, the more I appreciate my group GP practice, despite the "you don't need to know" approach of the diabetic specialist doctor I see.
I must be on the gold standard for tests and support.
I was diagnosed from a routine check, done once a year after age 55 (2 fasting levels over 7)
Next a 40 minute appointment with the practice nurse, plenty of leaflets and HbA1C - 7.8
She also did a protein in urine test (negative)
Appointment with doctor (I refused the offered statins and ABCs, no mention of Metformin)
Sent to hospital for an ecg as I hadn't had one for 6 years (no problems)
Next came an appointment with the podiatrist (no problems) and the dietician (ok except carbs)
Then retinal screening (no problem) photos
This week, practice nurse again for another HbA1C and cholesterol (I delayed from 6 to 8 weeks)
Now, invitation has arrived to attend DESMOND course in August
So although I have some issues with the attitude of the doctor and some of the advice given out
(Don't self test, eat carbs, leaflet saying 2 hour reading should be less than 10), I certainly can't fault them in getting me into a comprehensive process.
Between all that and what I've learned on this forum and elsewhere, I think I've got every opportunity to control my T2 and delay any complications.
Looks to me that not everyone is so lucky, in which case you need to educate yourself and ask for the tests you think you need. You've probably paid your taxes long enough to expect to get what you need.
