Part of getting control of the disease of diabetes is knowing where you stand on certain critical control points. Knowing what those are and getting the right tests is an important part of managing your disease.

The information the test results yield provide feedback on how well you are controlling your blood sugars to see if any adjustments need to be made and, just as important, head off any complications down the road.

The frequency of these tests depends on a few factors like the general condition of your health and your health care team's recommendations. Here are the most important tests and why you should have them.

BLOOD SUGAR TESTS

This test is by far the most common and perhaps the most telling of all the tests. It will tell you immediately where you are on the road to controlling your blood sugars. Some people do the test daily or even twice daily. My doc tells me once a week is good but my history indicates I do a good job of controlling the 'BIG D'.

HA1c

This test is usually done every three to six months depending on how well you control your disease. The test shows an average of your blood sugars for the preceding 60-90 days. You are looking for a steady or declining HA1c reading over time. The test can be an indication of complications on the horizon-something you do not want.

LIPID PROFILE

This test measures the amount of fat in your blood. It should be done at least annually unless you have a history of heart disease then more frequently.

The well known buzz words of cholesterol and triglycerides are measured with this test. Again it is an indication of how well you are controlling your disease especially thru diet and medications.

Less well known tests are:

SERUM CREATININE

This test gives you a measure of how well your kidneys are functioning by removing creatinine. If the level of creatinine rises your kidneys are not doing their job. The test is usually done annually.

URINE MICROALBUMIN

This test is another indication of how well kidneys are functioning. Kidney disease is a MAJOR complication of worsening diabetes. This test should be done annually for type 2 diabetics. This test is not performed by all doctors for whatever reason. If you haven't had one, ask for it.

Controlling your diabetes is your main goal when you have the 'BIG D.' These tests give you an important indication of how well you are doing and can help you avoid serious complications down the road.