Quick reference summary table
Test
Purpose
Typical frequency
1
HbA1c
Long-term
(2–3 month) average blood sugar
Every 3
months if not at target; every 6 months if stable
2
Fasting/random
glucose
Real-time
blood sugar snapshot
Per
individualized home monitoring schedule
3
Fasting
C-peptide & insulin
How
much natural insulin the pancreas still makes
Once at
diagnosis/baseline; repeat only if control unexpectedly worsens
4
eGFR
Kidney
filtering function
At
least yearly; more often if reduced
5
UACR
Early
kidney damage (protein leak)
At
least yearly; more often if abnormal
6
Dilated
eye exam
Diabetic
retinopathy screening
At
diagnosis (T2D) / within 5 yrs (T1D), then yearly
7
Lipid
profile
Cholesterol-related
cardiovascular risk
At
diagnosis, then at least yearly
8
Blood
pressure
Cardiovascular/kidney
risk
Every
clinic visit
9
Weight
/ BMI / waist circumference
Metabolic
risk tracking
Every
visit (weight); 6–12 monthly (BMI/waist)
10
Comprehensive
foot exam
Neuropathy
& circulation, ulcer prevention
At
least yearly (comprehensive); visual check every visit
11
Liver
function tests
Medication
safety, fatty liver risk
At
baseline, then roughly yearly
12
Vitamin
B12
Deficiency
from long-term metformin use
Baseline,
then every 2–3 years (or yearly if higher risk)
13
Thyroid
function (TSH)
Autoimmune
thyroid disease, especially in T1D
At
diagnosis (T1D); periodically or symptom-based (T2D)
14
Urinalysis
Infection,
ketones, general screening
At
diagnosis, then periodically or symptom-based
15
Islet
autoantibodies
Distinguishing
type 1 vs. type 2, family risk screening
Once,
only if clinically indicated
16
Dental/periodontal
exam
Gum
disease (bidirectional link with glucose control)
At
least yearly