Preparing for an appointment

If you have low blood sugar levels several times a week, make an appointment with your doctor. Together you can determine what's leading to your hypoglycemia and figure out what changes to make to prevent it.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

• Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. Sometimes you need to fast for blood tests. When you make the appointment, ask if fasting is necessary. If it is, ask what changes you need to make to your diabetes management because you're not eating or drinking.
• Write down your symptoms and how often they occur. It may help to keep a record of your blood sugar readings and low blood sugar reactions so that you and your doctor can see patterns leading to hypoglycemia.
• Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes. If you're monitoring your glucose values at home, bring a record of the glucose results, detailing the dates and times of testing.
• List medications, vitamins and supplements you take.
• Create a record of metered glucose values. Give your doctor a written or printed record of your blood glucose values, times and medication.
• Take your glucose meter with you. Some meters allow your doctor's office to download the recorded glucose values.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor. Be clear about aspects of your diabetes management that you need clarified.

For diabetic hypoglycemia, questions you may want to ask include:

• How often do I need to check my blood sugar?
• What is my target blood sugar range?
• How do diet, exercise and weight changes affect my blood sugar?
• How can I prevent low blood sugar?
• Do I need to worry about high blood sugar? What are the signs and symptoms I need to watch out for?
• Do I need a prescription for emergency glucagon?
• If I continue having hypoglycemia, when do I need to see you again?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

• What symptoms do you notice when you have low blood sugar?
• How often do you have these symptoms?
• What do you do to raise your blood sugar levels?
• What's a typical day's diet like?
• Are you exercising? If so, how often?
• Do your family, friends and co-workers know what to do if you have severe hypoglycemia?