Diabetes For Canadians For Dummies

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Canadian Guidelines for Diabetes Screening

Follow these screening guidelines if you think you might have diabetes or be at risk of developing the disease. The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends that you be tested for diabetes:

• Every 3 years once you reach 40 years of age; more frequently and/or earlier if you have risk factors including the following:

  
  
  
  

  • Having a parent, sibling, or child with diabetes

    
    
  
  

  • Being a member of a high-risk population (such as people of Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, South Asian, or African descent)

    
    
  
  

  • Having a history of prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or having given birth to a large baby

    
    
  
  

  • Being overweight

    
    
  
  

  • Having hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, abnormal lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), schizophrenia, polycystic ovary syndrome, or a type of skin rash called acanthosis nigricans

    
    
  
  
  
  



• Immediately, if you are having symptoms of high blood glucose (such as thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss)

  
  

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Blood Glucose Target Test Results for Canadians

To prevent high blood glucose from damaging your body, be sure to test your blood glucose regularly. The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends the following targets for most adults with diabetes:

• Blood glucose before meals: 4.0 to 7.0 mmol/L

  
  



• Blood glucose 2 hours after meals: 5.0 to 10.0 mmol/L (5.0 to 8.0 if your A1C is above 7.0)

  
  



• A1C level of 7 percent or less

  
  



• LDL cholesterol of 2.0 mmol/L or less

  
  



• Total cholesterol (TC)/HDL cholesterol less than 4.0

  
  



• Urine albumin/creatinine ratio (“ACR”) less than 2.0 (men) or less than 2.8 (women)

  
  



• Blood pressure less than 130/80

  
  

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Suggested Frequency of Medical Tests for Canadians with Diabetes

Medical tests are one way that you can avoid potential complications with your diabetes. Different tests are required at different frequencies. The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends the following testing schedule for most adults with diabetes:

• A1C: Every 3 months

  
  



• Blood glucose meter:

  
  
  
  

  • On 2 or more injections of insulin therapy per day: at least three times daily

    
    
  
  

  • On 1 injection of insulin per day: at least once daily

    
    
  
  

  • Not taking insulin: individualized

    
    
  
  
  
  



• Lipids: Total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol, TC/HDL ratio, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) at time of diagnosis and then every 1 to 3 years (more frequently if treatment has been initiated or changed.)

  
  



• Urine albumin/creatinine ratio (“ACR”), blood creatinine, eGFR:

  
  
  
  

  • Type 1 diabetes: annually if you have had diabetes for more than 5 years (every 6 months if you have kidney damage)

    
    
  
  

  • Type 2 diabetes: at the time of diagnosis then annually (every 6 months if you have kidney damage)

    
    
  
  
  
  



• Blood pressure: At every diabetes visit

  
  



• Screening for peripheral neuropathy (with a 10-gram monofilament or tuning fork):

  
  
  
  

  • Type 1 diabetes: annually beginning 5 years after the onset of diabetes

    
    
  
  

  • Type 2 diabetes: at the time of diagnosis then annually

    
    
  
  
  
  



• Foot examination:

  
  
  
  

  • By your doctor: at least annually (more frequently if you are at risk of foot ulceration)

    
    
  
  

  • By you: daily

    
    
  
  
  
  



• Eye exam (by an expert eye specialist):

  
  
  
  

  • Type 1 diabetes: annually, beginning 5 years after the onset of diabetes if you are 15 years of age or older (more frequent eye exams may be necessary depending on the presence and severity of retinopathy)

    
    
  
  

  • Type 2 diabetes: at the time of diagnosis and then every 1 to 2 years (more frequent eye exams may be necessary depending on the presence and severity of retinopathy)

    
    
  
  
  
  

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Best Diabetes Web Sites for Canadians

Finding dependable, reliable Canadian diabetes resources online can be a challenge. One minute you’re looking at the Canadian Diabetes Association Web site, the next you’re looking at Uncle Bob’s Instant Diabetes Cure. Here’s a trio of trusted Canadian sites that will provide you with helpful information.

• Dr. Ian Blumer’s site: This site offers general information and advice about diabetes, tips, new developments, and answers to questions.

  
  



• The Canadian Diabetes Association: This site looks at diabetes issues from a Canadian perspective. Particularly helpful is the listing of resources available in your provide or territory or even within your community.

  
  



• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada: Here you can find out the latest information about government programs that emphasize finding a cure for diabetes.

  
  

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