Diabetic Health Check

[Valen]

Diagnosed in 2007 as a Type 2 and initially had blood tested 2 or 3 times a year at GP surgery, but never given any advice on controlling blood sugar levels etc. just given a prescription for Glucophage (1000mg every morning) and have remained on this level of medication for 8 years now. Last diabetic retinopathy test was in 2010 or 2011- again never contacted since by surgery.
I had a to have an operation in hospital 5 weeks ago following a massive abcess in my right hand, which is only now healing very slowly. At hospital doctors were very concerned that my blood sugar levels were (over 2 days) between 19.1 and 18.6 and that I had no diabetic health care plan set up by GP. Last week I had to go to the main practice surgery 7 miles away, something not encouraged by GP, as hand wound looked infected and finally somebody looked at my file and noticed I had not seen GP in over 4 years and no diabetic or blood pressure checks had been done since 2010. The practice nurse treating my hand then took 4 vials of blood for various checks and arranged for me to come back to the main clinic this week for further tests and to arrange a diabetic health care plan, a review of my blood pressure and diabetes medication and for me to be given a blood glucose meter, lancets and test strips - something I was told previously I should have but would have to buy myself. Back in 2007/10 I had a free meter from Lifescan but could only occasionally afford a tube of test strips off e-bay (readings usually were between 8.9 and 12/13 then).
What should I expect to be offered via a 'Diabetic Health Care Plan' and is there anything or any further tests should specifically ask the practice nurse about to get my diabetes under control as fast as possible

 

[noblehead]

Hi Valen,

Have a look at the following:

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Monitoring/15-healthcare-essentials/

 

[Bluetit1802]

Blimey, you slipped through the net for a long time. Your abscess may be nasty and painful, but is a blessing in disguise. Thank goodness you are now on the recommended care pathway for Type 2's, and also that you found this forum.

You should be offered blood tests for HbA1c, cholesterol, kidney and liver functions and full blood counts either 3 monthly or 6 monthly depending on your surgery, plus blood pressure. Once your levels settle down at an acceptable level this may change to 12 monthly. You should be invited to see the nurse every 6 months at least initially. Retinal eye screening should be every year, and you should also have your feet checked once or twice a year. (Your nurse may do this herself). You should also be given dietary advice, but sometimes this can be counter productive as the advice given is usually to eat carbs and low fat, which is not necessarily good advice for diabetics.

If you have any questions, please ask. I suspect it may be your diet causing the increased BS levels, so perhaps you may like to consider this.