Monitoring type 2 diabetes
Daily monitoring
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) let you check your blood sugar levels without having to prick your finger. Continuous glucose monitors is a small sensor that sits under the skin at all times that reads your blood sugar levels, and the information is shared with your phone or reader. However, the continuous glucose monitor is not offered to everyone.
Read more information on continuous glucose monitors.
However, many type 2 patients are not eligible for continuous glucose monitors, but some are eligible for self monitoring of blood sugar using test strips and lancets.
Learn how to check your blood sugar levels.
Finger prick testing
Finger pricking is how you find out what your blood sugar levels are at that moment in time. Your health care team will show you how to use the tests and it is important to do this properly or you could get the wrong results.
Learn more about finger prick testing and how to check your blood sugar levels.
Annual monitoring
The annual diabetes review is a check-up to assess your health, monitor diabetes complications, and make sure your treatment is working. This includes blood pressure, blood sugar, and eye checks.
Learn more about annual care reviews.
Essential health checks for those with diabetes, known as the 9 care processes are below:
| Check | Reason |
|---|---|
| HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) | Review of the average blood glucose (sugar) over a 3-month period. |
| Blood pressure (BP) | People with diabetes and high blood pressure are more at risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Measurement for cardiovascular risk. |
| Serum cholesterol | High blood sugar can make blood cells and vessel walls sticky, leading to restricted blood flow. Elevated cholesterol worsens this effect, increasing cardiovascular risk. A blood test can help assess this risk. |
| Eye Screening | People with diabetes are at risk of damage from an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy. A photographic eye test can early detection of eye disease. Eye screening can be reduced to 2 yearly reviews. |
| Urine test: urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) | Diabetes is the most common cause of end stage renal failure. Diabetes and chronic kidney disease are linked with cardiovascular disease. This is a urine test for risk of kidney disease. You can get a urine sample bottle from your local pharmacist for a small cost. |
| Serum creatinine | Diabetes is the most common cause of end stage renal failure. Diabetes and chronic kidney disease are linked with cardiovascular disease. This is a blood test for kidney function. |
| Foot checks | Diabetes increases the risk of serious foot problems, such as ulcers and infections, which can sometimes lead to amputation. Examination for foot ulcer risk and loss of sensation through nerve damage. |
| BMI | Keeping to a healthy weight helps to protect blood pressure and cholesterol and reduces the risk of developing serious problems with your eyes, feet and heart. Measurement for cardiovascular risk. Calculate your body mass index (BMI) for adults. |
| Smoking | Smoking increases health risks for everyone, but especially for people with diabetes, who already face a higher chance of heart disease, stroke, and circulation problems. |
Page last reviewed: July 08, 2026
Next review due: July 08, 2027
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