Updated on March 26, 2024.
Knowing your numbers is an important part of diabetes management. At the top of the list of numbers you need to know is your A1C, a blood test that shows how stable your blood glucose levels have been over the past 90 days.
A1C is used to set treatment goals, decide what type of treatment you need, and determine how well a treatment plan is working.
While different people will have different A1C goals, most will want to maintain an A1C below 7 percent. This can help avoid complications from diabetes, such as nerve damage and eye problems that can result in vision loss.
But A1C is not the only number important to diabetes management. People with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of heart disease and kidney disease—and the following tests can help monitor for these complications.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the force that circulating blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels. When blood pressure is too high, it can damage the arteries and the heart.
High blood pressure (called hypertension) can also damage the blood vessels in the kidneys and eyes, contributing to possible complications of diabetes including diabetic kidney disease and macular degeneration (damage to the macula, the part of the eye that is important for seeing objects in front of you).
Ideally, blood pressure should be below 120/80. Your goal may be different based on individual factors. If your blood pressure is elevated, your healthcare provider can recommend ways to lower it. This may include changes to diet and lifestyle, as well as medications.
Cholesterol and triglycerides
Cholesterols are fats (or lipids) that circulate in the blood. Your body uses cholesterol to build cell membranes and a variety of other important substances—hormones, digestive acids, vitamins. There are two main types of cholesterol:
- LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is called the “bad cholesterol” because elevated levels contribute to the buildup of deposits inside the arteries called plaque, which can narrow arteries and lead to heart disease. The recommended levels are below 100mg for most men and women, but may be different based on heart risk factors.
- HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is called the “good cholesterol” because having higher levels of it reduces the risk of heart disease. HDL helps move LDL out of the blood. The desirable level is 60 mg or above.
- Triglycerides are another type of blood fat, and levels should be below 150 mg.
If your cholesterol levels are not where they need to be, you may need to make additional lifestyle changes. Most people with type 2 diabetes will take a medication to control cholesterol.
Microalbuminuria test
This test checks for a protein (called albumin) in the urine and helps gauge your risk for kidney disease. Ideally there should be no protein in the urine—protein should stay in the bloodstream, and protein in the urine can be a sign of kidney damage.
Diabetic kidney disease may be treated with medications to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, and medications to improve kidney function.
What you can do
Communicating with your healthcare provider and staying up to date on screening tests will help spot early warning signs of these serious diabetes complications.
In addition to the tests mentioned here, people with type 2 diabetes should see an eye doctor and have their feet checked by a healthcare provider annually. Eye problems and problems with the feet (such as sores and loss of feeling) are possible complications of type 2 diabetes.
