Physical exam for type 1 diabetes
If you have symptoms of type 1 diabetes, you will have a complete physical exam. You will continue having exams on a regular basis if you are diagnosed with this disease. The physical exam includes:
- Measuring your height and weight. Children and teens will have their height and weight compared to standards that are normal for their age groups.
- Checking your blood pressure. For adults, blood pressure may be checked while standing and sitting.
- Checking your eyes.
- Feeling your neck to evaluate your thyroid gland. Thyroid problems sometimes develop in people with diabetes.
- Listening to your heart and lung sounds and checking the blood flow (pulses) in your arms, legs, and feet.
- Checking for signs of dehydration, such as loose skin, a dry mouth, or sunken eyeballs.
- Checking alertness, if you are very ill.
- Checking your feet for problems including corns, calluses, blisters, cuts, cracks, or sores.
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: September 17, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism | |
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