Preparing for an appointment

Diabetic nephropathy is usually identified during regular appointments for diabetes care. After a diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy, your overall treatment plan will address ongoing management of diabetes and tests to monitor changes in kidney function.

If you've been recently diagnosed with diabetic nephropathy, you may want to discuss the following questions with your doctor:

• How well are my kidneys functioning now?
• What treatments do you recommend?
• How do these treatments change or fit into my overall diabetes treatment plan?
• How will we know if these treatments are working?

Questions for ongoing appointments

Before any appointment with a member of your diabetes treatment team, ask whether you need to follow any restrictions, such as fasting before taking a test. Questions to regularly review with your doctor or other members of the team include:

• How often should I monitor my blood sugar, and what is my target range?
• What changes in my diet would help me better manage my blood sugar, cholesterol or blood pressure?
• What is the right dosage for prescribed medications?
• When should I take the medications? Do I take them with food?
• How is management of diabetes affecting treatment for other conditions? How can I better coordinate treatments or care?
• When do I need to make a follow-up appointment?
• Under what conditions should I call you or seek emergency care?
• Are there brochures or online sources you recommend?
• Are there resources available if I'm having trouble paying for diabetes supplies?

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you a number of questions at regularly scheduled appointments, including:

• Do you understand your treatment plan and feel confident you can follow it?
• How are you coping with diabetes?
• Have you experienced any low blood sugar?
• Do you know what to do if your blood sugar is too low or too high?
• What's a typical day's diet like?
• Are you exercising? If so, what type of exercise? How often?
• Do you sit for long periods of time?
• What challenges are you experiencing in managing your diabetes?