Why You Need It: Body mass index can indicate whether you’re at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. What It Is: A measure of body fat based on your height and weight. How Often: Most providers suggest a baseline scan for women when they begin menopause and for men at around age 50. If your T-score is below −2.5, you have osteoporosis and will need medication. Learn More: A T-score between −1.0 and −2.5 indicates low bone density. (A T-score indicates how much higher or lower your bone density is than that of a healthy 30-year-old adult.) Target Number: A T-score of -1.0 or above. If you have additional risk factors-such as having previous fractures or having gone through menopause-talk to your doctor about whether you need a bone density scan. Why You Need It: People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at a significantly higher risk for hip fractures and osteoporosis. What It Is: A scan that helps estimate the density of your bones-usually measured at the hip and spine-and how likely they are to break. How Often: Get checked at every visit with a health care provider. Learn More: Blood pressure targets should be individualized based on various factors and discussions with your health care provider. Why You Need It: Diabetes raises the risk for high blood pressure, which increases your chances of heart disease, stroke, vision loss and kidney disease. What It Is: A measurement of the force of blood flow inside your blood vessels. How Often: You need this test only if you have symptoms of PAD. If you have diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing PAD. It can also make it more difficult for foot sores to heal, raising your risk for amputation. Why You Need It: PAD can cause leg pain, weakness and numbness, especially when walking or doing exercises involving the legs. Results are compared with a blood pressure reading from your arm to screen for peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition in which clogged arteries reduce blood flow to your lower limbs. What It Is: A blood pressure reading measured at your ankle. More frequently, if your previous test above the target. How Often: Once a year, if you have type 2 diabetes or have had type 1 diabetes for at least five years. Target Number: Less than 30 mg/g of urine creatinine Why You Need it: Early treatment, along with well-managed blood glucose and blood pressure, can prevent or slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. Albumin is a type of protein, and too much is a sign of kidney damage. What it is: A urine test that checks how much albumin is in your urine. Learn More: Get the facts on A1C-and learn how it’s different from the number on your blood glucose monitor-at /A1C. Every three months if your medications have changed or your last A1C was not in your target range.Every six months if your last A1C was in goal range.How Often: It depends on whether you’re meeting your treatment goals, but usually: In these cases, an A1C of less than 8 percent may be appropriate. Older adults are more at risk for lows and may have other health complications, such as heart disease, that require extra caution. A more relaxed goal may be necessary for kids or adults who experience frequent low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) or who don’t experience symptoms of hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia unawareness). For instance, women with diabetes should aim for an A1C as close to normal as possible before trying to get pregnant and during pregnancy. However, A1C is individualized, and your doctor may give you a higher or lower A1C goal, depending on your needs. Target Number: Less than 7 percent for many adults. Why You Need It: A high A1C is a sign of frequent high blood glucose, which puts you at risk for complications such as nerve damage, kidney disease and vision impairment. An A1C of less than 5.7 percent is considered normal 5.7 to 6.4 percent is considered prediabetes and an A1C of 6.5 or higher indicates diabetes. What It Is: A blood test that measures your average blood glucose level over the past two to three months.
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