Type 2 diabetes care is mostly a conversation about numbers. Each one answers a different question. Knowing what they mean helps you read your own results and ask better questions at each visit.
HbA1c — the long view
HbA1c, sometimes just called A1c, is a measure of your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. It is reported as a percentage. For most adults with type 2 diabetes, a target of 7% or lower is common, but your endocrinologist sets your individual target based on your overall health.
Time in range — the day view
Continuous glucose monitors report a number called time in range: the share of the day your sugar is between 70 and 180 mg/dL. Time in range and A1c usually move together, but time in range shows the days A1c hides — for example, a day with a sudden low followed by a rebound high.
Blood pressure
People with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Blood pressure targets are set tighter for that reason. A common target is below 130/80, but again, your physician sets your target.
Cholesterol
A lipid panel is checked at least once a year. The LDL target for people with diabetes is lower than for the general population, because the risk is higher.
Kidney function
Two tests track kidney health: a blood test called eGFR and a urine test for albumin. The combination catches early kidney changes before symptoms appear.
Foot and eye checks
Diabetes can affect the nerves and the small blood vessels in the eyes. An annual foot exam and an annual eye exam with dilation (or retinal imaging) are part of the standard schedule.
How the numbers connect
A1c tells your care team whether the overall plan is working. Time in range shows the days inside the A1c. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and kidney tests tell them whether the plan is protecting the rest of the body. Foot and eye checks catch the things the blood tests cannot see.
What to bring to your visit
- Your glucose monitor or continuous glucose monitor, or a printout of recent readings.
- A list of any new medications or supplements.
- Notes on any symptoms that have changed since the last visit.
This article is general information. Your endocrinologist sets your individual targets. If your readings have shifted, contact your care team before the next scheduled visit.