Your doctor will do this review to help you, and your diabetes health professionals manage your diabetes, and your risk of diabetes-related complications. It is essential to do an annual cycle of care to find any health problems early. If there are early signs of health problems, you can discuss the best possible treatment with your doctor and diabetes health professionals. Without regular checks, diabetes can lead to health problems that can affect your whole body, including your kidneys, eyes, feet, nerves and heart. Have regular appointments with your doctor and diabetes health professionals. They can advise you about the blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol target ranges that are best for you. Speak to diabetes health professionals about how you can best reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications. Read more in our fact sheets. Listen to our podcast series. Watch our video on health checks. Annual cycle of care podcast series Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about what it is, why it’s important, and what you need to know about it. Available in other languages Listen now Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year. Download now Diabetes-related complications fact sheet Looking after your diabetes is important for your long-term health. If your diabetes is well managed and you take care of your general health, you can reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. Download now How are you going with your cycle of care? Complete all your annual cycle of care health checks. These checks are very important for assessing your health and your risks of diabetes-related complications. See our cycle of care checklist below to make sure you are on track. These times and targets are a general guide for adults. Ask your doctor for the timing of health checks and targets that meet your individual health needs. Ask your doctor about the targets for each of your health checks that meet your individual needs. Write down your targets. How oftenChecks to carry outDaily self-checksFoot check—look for signs of infection, swelling, redness or skin breaks. See your GP or a podiatrist if you notice any changes in your feet.1–3 monthsFoot assessment (high-risk feet)—with podiatrist, doctor or diabetes educator3–6 monthsFoot assessment (moderate-risk feet)—with podiatrist, doctor or diabetes educator6 monthsBlood pressure—with doctor or practice nurse6–12 monthsHbA1c—with doctor12 monthsFoot assessment (very-low and low-risk feet)—with podiatrist, doctor or diabetes educator Kidney health—with doctor or endocrinologistBlood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides)—with doctorMedication review—with doctorDental check—with dentist2 yearsEye examination—with doctor, optometrist or ophthalmologistWhen indicatedDriver’s licence assessment—with doctor Information Prescriptions To help you manage your diabetes and reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications, work with your diabetes health professional to set goals and fill in a personalised Information Prescription. Information Prescriptions help you understand and improve your health targets to manage your diabetes. Read more about Information Prescriptions. Health checks to have annually Foot checks Wash your feet every day and dry all areas and in between the toes. Get to know your feet and check them every day. Ask your diabetes health professional if you have very-low, low, moderate, or high-risk feet. Discuss foot checks and how to best look after your feet with them. See a health professional urgently for all foot injuries. Read more about looking after your feet. Go to Foot Forward to find out more about looking after your feet. Find and register for an upcoming FootSmart program. FootSmart This online program will give you the skills and knowledge to create a simple foot care routine that will help you avoid future foot problems. Find an online program Foot health podcast Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about foot health checks and seeing a podiatrist. Available in other languages Listen now How healthy are your feet? Learn the early signs of foot problems and how to look after your feet. Do our foot health quiz to find out if you have very-low, low, moderate, or high-risk feet. Go to Foot Forward Eye checks Have regular eye checks with your optometrist or ophthalmologist. See your optometrist or ophthalmologist for an eye check as soon as you notice any changes in your vision. Work with your diabetes health professionals to keep your blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol as close to your target ranges as possible. Register with KeepSight to make it easier to remember to book regular eye checks. Go to KeepSight to register for the eye check reminder program for people with diabetes. Read more about eye health. Get your eyes checked Register for the eye check reminder program for people with diabetes. Go to Keepsight Eye health podcast Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about eye health and seeing an optometrist. Available in other languages Listen now Kidney health Work with your diabetes health professionals to keep your blood glucose levels and blood pressure as close to your target ranges as possible. Ask your doctor how often you should have a kidney check. Speak to your doctor or diabetes health professional about what you can do to help keep your kidneys healthy. Contact your doctor immediately if you think you have a bladder of kidney infection. Read more about kidney and bladder health. Kidney health podcast Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about kidney checks. Available in other languages Listen now Blood glucose levels Checking your blood glucose levels throughout the day will help you make decisions that keep levels within your target range. Your doctor, diabetes nurse practitioner or diabetes educator can help you choose a blood glucose meter that suits your needs, show you how to use it and help you work out a routine for when to check your blood glucose levels. Talk to your diabetes health professionals about the target range for your blood glucose levels and your HbA1c test. They will recommend the target ranges that are best for you. Read more about blood glucose levels and monitoring. Blood glucose monitoring fact sheet Checking your blood glucose levels can help you manage your diabetes. You will be able to see what makes your numbers go ‘up’ or ‘down’. Available in other languages Download now HbA1c This blood test reflects your average blood glucose level over the last 10–12 weeks. Talk to your diabetes health professionals about the target range for your blood glucose levels and your HbA1c test. They will recommend the target ranges that are best for you. Read more about HbA1c. Blood glucose monitoring fact sheet Checking your blood glucose levels can help you manage your diabetes. You will be able to see what makes your numbers go ‘up’ or ‘down’. Available in other languages Download now Blood pressure Ask your general practitioner (GP) or practice nurse to check your blood pressure at every visit or at least every six months. As a general guide, the target for people with diabetes is 130/80 to 140/90, or less. Research shows that keeping blood pressure in the target range reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications such as stroke, heart, kidney and eye disease, and nerve damage. Your doctor will advise you on a blood pressure target to meet your individual health needs. Read more about blood pressure or high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. Dental checks Have a dental check at least once a year. Your dentist will assess the health of your gums and teeth. If you have dentures, your dentist will look for pressure spots and check the fit of your dentures. Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible if you notice any signs of tooth decay or gum disease. You can protect your teeth and gums with regular brushing and flossing. Read more about teeth and gum health. Dental health podcast Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about dental health and seeing your dentist. Listen now More information and support Call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 600 and ask to speak to a diabetes educator or dietitian. Go to Australian Diabetes Educators Association to find a diabetes educator near you. Go to Dietitians Australia or call 1800 812 942 to find a dietitian near you. Go to Exercise and Sports Science Australia to find an exercise physiologist near you. Go to healthdirect to find a health service or diabetes health professional near you. Free access to diabetes programs Learn to manage your diabetes confidently with diabetes programs, available face-to-face and online. Register for a diabetes program. Featured resources Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year. Download now Diabetes-related complications fact sheet Looking after your diabetes is important for your long-term health. If your diabetes is well managed and you take care of your general health, you can reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. Download now Blood glucose monitoring fact sheet Checking your blood glucose levels can help you manage your diabetes. You will be able to see what makes your numbers go ‘up’ or ‘down’. Available in other languages Download now Ask the Expert A dietitian, exercise physiologist and diabetes educator will be available to answer your questions about type 2 diabetes. Find an online program Annual cycle of care podcast series Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about what it is, why it’s important, and what you need to know about it. Available in other languages Listen now
