"*" indicates required fields 1Start here2345678910111213141516 This tool helps you know what diabetes health checks you need, and when you need them. Regular diabetes health checks help you stay healthy and reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications. Click ‘Start checklist’ and answer the questions. Once complete, you will get a list of health checks that you can take to your next appointment with your doctor or diabetes health professional. The information in this checklist is a general guide only. Discuss the checklist with your health professional for personalised advice. * Indicates required fields. Do you support someone living with diabetes? Go to our checklist for carers, or our checklist for carers of people living with intellectual disability. HbA1c check An HbA1c check is a blood test that shows your average blood glucose levels over the past 10 to 12 weeks. Your doctor will use the result to decide if changes to your diabetes management plan are needed to keep your blood glucose levels in your target range. This reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications. An HbA1c check should be done at least every 6 to 12 months.Have you had your HbA1c checked within the last 6 to 12 months?* Yes No Ask your GP or nurse practitioner when your next check is due.Ask your GP or nurse practitioner to refer you for an HbA1c check. Blood fats A blood fats check is a blood test to measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Keeping blood fats levels in a healthy range helps reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, which are more common in people with diabetes. A blood fats check should be done at least once a year.Have you had a blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) check within the last 12 months?* Yes No Ask your GP or nurse practitioner if your results are in a healthy range, and if not, what you can do about it.Ask your GP or nurse practitioner for a referral to pathology to have your blood fats checked. Blood pressure A blood pressure check shows how hard your heart works to pump blood around your body. Keeping blood pressure in the healthy range helps reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage, which are more common in people with diabetes. Your blood pressure should be checked at least every 6 months.Have you had your blood pressure checked within the last 6 months?* Yes No Ask your health professional if your results are in a healthy range, and if not, what you can do about it.Ask your health professional or local pharmacist to measure your blood pressure. It’s a good idea to write down the result. Foot checks A foot check is to look for diabetes-related foot problems. It helps find any foot problems early, when treatment is most effective. You should also check your own feet daily for any injuries or changes. Your doctor, diabetes educator or a podiatrist can do your foot checks. They should be done at least every 12 months, or more often if you are at higher risk of foot problems.Have you had a foot check within the last 12 months?* Yes No Keep checking your feet every day and contact your health professional if you notice changes.Ask your GP about getting a foot check. They may refer you to a podiatrist. Eye checks Eye checks look for signs of diabetes-related eye problems. This includes checking for damage to the back of your eye (retina), cataracts, and glaucoma. Regular eye checks help find eye problems early, when treatment is most effective. An optometrist or ophthalmologist (eye specialist) can check your eyes. This should be done at least every 2 years, or more often if you are at higher risk of eye problems.Have you had your eyes checked by an optometrist or eye specialist in the last 2 years?* Yes No Stay up to date with your eye checks by registering with KeepSight. You will get free reminders of when your eye checks are due.Ask your GP about getting an eye check from an optometrist. These eye checks are usually covered by Medicare. Kidney health check Kidney checks look for signs of diabetes-related kidney problems. This involves a blood test to check kidney function, and a urine test to check for kidney damage. Regular kidney checks help find signs of damage early, when it can be treated. Your GP can organise kidney checks for you. These should be done at least once a year.Have you had urine and blood check within the last 12 months to check your kidney health?* Yes No Talk to your health professionals if you have any concerns about your results.Ask your GP or diabetes nurse practitioner to refer you for blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. Healthy weight and waist circumference A check to see if your weight and waist circumference are in a healthy range. This will be different for everyone. Having a healthy weight and waist circumference helps reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, and can help make managing your glucose levels easier. If you prefer, you can ask your health professional to take a ‘blind weight’ so you do not see the number on the scale.Have you had your weight and waist circumference checked in the last 6 months?* Yes No Talk to your health professional if you have any concerns.Ask your health professional if a check of your weight and weight circumference is needed. Healthy eating A check to give you the support you need to follow a healthy eating plan. Making healthy food choices, limiting processed foods, and eating the right amount of food helps you manage your blood glucose levels and support your overall health. A visit to a dietitian is recommended every 12 months.Have you seen a dietitian in the last 12 months to get support with a healthy eating plan?* Yes No See your dietitian if you have any concerns with your healthy eating plan, or if you are having trouble following it.Ask your GP for a referral to a dietitian for advice on healthy eating if relevant to your health goals. Physical activity A check to give you the support you need to do regular physical activity. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications and improves overall health. It is recommended to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week, and strength exercises at least 2 days a week.Are you doing 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week, and strength exercises at least 2 days a week?** Yes No Talk to your health professional if you have any concerns about managing physical activity and diabetes.Ask your GP for a referral to an exercise physiologist for advice on being active if relevant to your health goals. Medicine review A check to see if your current medicines are safe and at the right doses for you.Has your GP or pharmacist reviewed all of the medicines you are taking in the last 12 months?* Yes No Talk to your GP or pharmacist at any time if you have any questions or concerns about your medicines.Ask your GP to review all your medicines, or to refer you for a Home Medicines Review by a pharmacist. Smoking A check to give you support to quit if you smoke or use vaping products. Quitting smoking or vaping lowers your risk of heart and blood vessel disease, as well as other diabetes-related complications.If you smoke or vape, have you got a plan for quitting?* Yes No I don't smoke or vape Congratulations on taking steps to quit. Keep talking to your GP or nurse practitioner about your quit plan, and don’t be afraid to ask for more support if you need it.Talk with your GP or nurse practitioner about options to quit smoking or call the Quitline on 13 QUIT or 13 7848. Emotional health A check of your emotional wellbeing. The demands of living with diabetes can take a toll on your mental health. Looking after your emotional health is as important as looking after your physical health. Your diabetes health professional can help you find ways to make living with diabetes easier and refer you for more support if you need it.Do you talk to your health professional about your emotional health during your regular appointments?* Yes No Not applicable Emotional health can change over time. Talk to your health professional if you need support.Talk to your health professional about your emotional health or any worries you have about living with diabetes. For immediate 24/7 assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. Sick day management Being unwell can affect glucose levels and how you manage your diabetes. A sick day action plan has step-by-step written instructions on how to manage diabetes when you are unwell. Your diabetes health professional can help you make a sick day action plan. This should be reviewed at least every 12 months.Do you have a sick day action plan that has been reviewed in the last 12 months?* Yes No Talk to your GP, nurse practitioner or diabetes educator if you have any questions about your sick day action plan.Book an appointment with your GP, nurse practitioner, or diabetes educator to make or update your sick day action plan. Vaccinations People with diabetes are at higher risk of serious complications from illnesses that can be prevented by vaccination. Staying up to date with recommended vaccines is important to reduce your risk or these complications.Have you talked to your health professional about vaccinations in the last 12 months?* Yes No Talk to your GP if you have any questions about vaccines, or if you are travelling and may need additional vaccines.Ask your GP if your vaccinations are up to date. If you need to have vaccinations, ask your GP to help you arrange them. {all_fields}
