Talking to Your Doctor About Insulin
Having a good relationship with your doctor is very important. Your doctor is your
partner in diabetes care. He or she can help you manage your diabetes so you can stay as healthy as possible.
Discussing your insulin therapy
Every person with diabetes has their own unique experience with their condition.
This includes a different medical history and different risk factors. Your insulin
therapy should fit your own personal needs. When you talk to your doctor, be sure
to discuss:
- Your blood sugar goal. Find out the blood sugar range that you should be trying
to reach
- Your daily schedule. Depending on where you are at different times of the day,
you should have an insulin therapy and delivery device that suits your needs
- Your risk factors. Ask your health care team about any risk factors that may
be unique to you
Working with diabetes educators
A diabetes educator can be a nurse, dietitian, pharmacist,
podiatrist, or other doctor. Many diabetes educators
have also earned the certified diabetes educator (CDE) credential. Diabetes educators
help people develop the skills to successfully manage their diabetes by teaching
diabetes-friendly lifestyle and behavior.
To locate a diabetes educator near you, you can visit the American Association of
Diabetes Educators (AADE) Web site and use their
Find A Diabetes Educator tool.
Get a helpful doctor discussion guide
To prepare for your visit, you may want to write down questions you have and bring
a pen or pencil to write down the answers. You can customize our
doctor discussion guide, print it out, and use it during your visit. Go
to the doctor discussion guide
