Just Been Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes? 

When you’re diagnosed with diabetes your doctor will provide you with a lot of information and ask you a number of questions, including your eating patterns, weight history, blood pressure, medications you’re taking, whether you smoke or drink, any family history of heart disease and any treatments you have received for other health problems. If you’re a mother you may also be asked about your child or children’s health.

Your doctor isn’t prying. All of this information has a bearing on your diabetes and how to best manage it.

Your doctor will also want do a thorough physical examination, a careful look at your mouth, feet, eyes, abdomen, skin and thyroid gland (a gland at the base of your neck that releases hormones that help your body use energy) and possibly a cardiac (heart) work-up. You’ll have a range of tests, including blood-lipid test for cholesterol.

The initial assessment is important for your overall care. Your doctor will probably also introduce to you the other members of your diabetes team who will be a valuable and reliable resource for support, advice and follow-up assessments.