15 Tips and Facts for People Living with Diabetes:

1. Remember the four T’s for diagnosis
   • Toilet
   • Thirsty
   • Tired
   • Thinner
2. Hypoglycaemia is known as low blood sugar
   • Symptoms Include: Difficulty Talking
   • Seizures
   • Confusion
   • Clumsiness/Shakiness
   • Hunger
   • Sweating
   • Weakness
   • Loss of Consciousness / death
3. Hypoglycaemia is known as high blood sugar
   • Symptoms Include: Increase n urination / thirst/ hunger
   • Blurry vision
   • Fatigue
   • Weight Loss/ gain
   • Dry Mouth
   • Itchy Skin
   • Restlessness
   • Recurrent Infections
   • Seizure
   • Poor Healing
   • Blood Glucose levels should range between 4 – 7.8mmol/L
4. To be able to operate a car in Qld you should read above 5mmol/L
5. People with Type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin
6. People with Type 2 diabetes often do not make enough insulin or do not respond to insulin as well as they should
7. Gestational Diabetes occurs in women that are pregnant, after pregnancy they are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes
8. To test blood glucose levels yourself, requires a blood glucose meter and strips. There are different types available. Your doctor/ nurse practitioner / practice nurse/ credentialled diabetes educator can help you choose the most suitable option for you and how to operate it.
9. Times of testing:
10. Before breakfast
    • Before bed
    • 2 hours after a meal
    • Before / After exercise
    • When feeling unwell
11. The blood test taken at a pathology centre is called your HbA1c and measures an average of your blood glucose levels between 10-12 weeks. It is arranged at the discretion of you GP every 3,6 or 12 months
12. The goal for most people living with diabetes is a HbA1c of between 6.5 to 7 %
13. When newly diagnosed we advise our patients to join Diabetes Qld and be proactive towards your own health.
14. Nutrition Advise can be found on eatforhealth.gov.au as you wait for an opportunity to see your dietician.
15. You should ask your GP for a referral upon diagnosis for a CDE, dietician, podiatrist and optician and begin exercising slowly, even if it a 10 minute walk daily.

To make an immediate appointment and be proactive towards your health call ProHealth Podiatry in Red Hill or Mt Gravatt on (07) 3076 7306 or e-mail info@prohealthpodiatry.com.au.