All Medicare-eligible consultations are bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card. Some items, including privately purchased vaccines and consumables, attract a fee.
Type 2 diabetes develops over a long time without symptoms. By the time thirst and tiredness appear, blood sugar has usually been high for a while — which is why risk assessment matters more than waiting for signs.
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed on blood tests — usually HbA1c, or fasting glucose, sometimes a glucose tolerance test. Prediabetes sits in between, and is the most important stage to catch, because progression is often preventable.
Once diagnosed, care follows an annual cycle: HbA1c every three to six months, blood pressure and cholesterol, kidney function and urine testing, a foot check at least yearly, and an eye examination at least every two years. A care plan gives access to subsidised dietitian, podiatry and exercise physiology sessions.
Average blood sugar over roughly three months. Most adults with type 2 diabetes aim for around 7 percent or less, but the target is individual — for some older people a higher target is safer.
Can type 2 diabetes go into remission?
For some people, particularly early after diagnosis, substantial weight loss can bring blood sugar back into the normal range. It is not guaranteed and it is not a failure if it does not happen.
Why the foot checks?
Diabetes can damage nerves, so an injury may not hurt. A yearly check finds problems while they are still small.
Every 3–6 months
HbA1c
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Every 3–6 monthsHbA1c
Average blood sugar. The main measure of control over time.
Every visit
Blood pressure
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Every visitBlood pressure
Controlling it protects kidneys, eyes and heart as much as sugar control does.
Yearly
Kidney function
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YearlyKidney function
Blood test plus a urine test for early protein leak — often the first sign.
Yearly
Foot check
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YearlyFoot check
Circulation, sensation and skin. Finds problems before they are felt.
Every 1–2 years
Eye examination
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Every 1–2 yearsEye examination
Diabetic retinopathy is symptomless until late, and treatable when found early.
Yearly
Care plan review
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YearlyCare plan review
Renews subsidised dietitian, podiatry and exercise physiology sessions.
Both directionsof blood sugar.
Same day, or 000Call 000 for unconsciousness, seizure, or confusion that is not fixed by sugar. Go to hospital for vomiting you cannot keep fluids down with, rapid deep breathing, abdominal pain with high sugars, or breath that smells sweet or of nail polish remover — these can signal diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency, particularly in type 1. Same-day GP appointment for a foot ulcer, a hot swollen foot, or any wound that is not healing.
High blood sugar builds slowly and often silently. Low blood sugar, in people on certain medicines, arrives fast and needs treating immediately.
What should I do about a hypo?
If you can swallow safely, take fast-acting sugar — jelly beans, juice or glucose tablets — then follow with something longer-acting. Recheck in 15 minutes. If someone is unconscious or fitting, call 000.
Which medicines cause hypos?
Some diabetes medicines — including insulin and one common class of tablets — can cause hypos; others rarely do on their own. Ask which of yours can, and make sure you know the signs.
Should I check my feet myself?
Yes, daily if you have any nerve or circulation problems. Look at the soles with a mirror if you cannot see them.
Thirst
Drinking far more than usual
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ThirstDrinking far more than usual
And still feeling thirsty. One of the most reliable early signs.
Urine
Getting up at night to pass urine
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UrineGetting up at night to pass urine
Particularly a new pattern rather than a lifelong one.
Energy
Tiredness that rest does not fix
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EnergyTiredness that rest does not fix
Very easily attributed to age, work or stress.
Weight
Losing weight without trying
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WeightLosing weight without trying
More typical of type 1, but it happens in type 2 too.
Infections
Thrush, boils or slow-healing cuts
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InfectionsThrush, boils or slow-healing cuts
Recurrent infections are a common first clue.
Early signs
Shaky, sweaty, suddenly hungry
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Early signsShaky, sweaty, suddenly hungry
In people on medicines that can lower blood sugar too far. Treat immediately with fast sugar.
Early signs
Irritable or oddly emotional
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Early signsIrritable or oddly emotional
Often noticed by family before the person notices it themselves.
Later signs
Confused or slurring
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Later signsConfused or slurring
This is the point at which someone else needs to help.
Night
Waking sweaty, or vivid dreams
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NightWaking sweaty, or vivid dreams
A sign of overnight lows that needs the medicine reviewed.
Family
A parent or sibling with type 2
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FamilyA parent or sibling with type 2
Risk rises substantially, and earlier than most people expect.
History
Gestational diabetes in a past pregnancy
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HistoryGestational diabetes in a past pregnancy
A strong predictor of later type 2 diabetes. Worth regular testing.
Waist
Weight carried around the middle
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WaistWeight carried around the middle
More predictive than overall weight.
Feet
Numbness, tingling or burning
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FeetNumbness, tingling or burning
Especially at night. Nerve damage often starts in the toes.
Vision
Blurring that comes and goes
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VisionBlurring that comes and goes
Can be blood sugar changes, but always worth an eye check.
Skin
A sore or blister you did not feel
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SkinA sore or blister you did not feel
The most important warning of all, because pain is missing.
Prediabetes is the stage worth finding. Progression to type 2 is often preventable.
One number is a snapshot. The trend is the story.Which is why the readings you bring matter as much as the ones we take.
Nurse, GP,and a team around you.
Diabetes care is shared between your GP and the practice nurse, with a care plan bringing in dietitian, podiatry and exercise physiology.
Usually every three to six months, more often when starting or changing medicines.
Do I need to check my sugar at home?
It depends on your medicines. People on insulin generally do; many on tablets alone do not need to check daily.
Is it bulk billed?
Yes, with a valid Medicare card. Some allied health sessions have a gap even when subsidised.
1Diagnosis or risk checkBlood tests, plus a risk assessment if you have not been diagnosed.First
2A care planSets targets and unlocks subsidised dietitian, podiatry and exercise physiology.Then
3Regular reviewsHbA1c, blood pressure, medicines and how life is actually going.Every 3–6 months
4The yearly checksKidneys, feet, eyes, cholesterol and a full care plan review.Annually
Diabetes care
Type 1 & type 2
Annual cycle of care
Foot & eye checks
HbA1c monitoring
Subsidised dietitian & podiatry
Care plans
Bulk billed
Diabetes care
Type 1 & type 2
Annual cycle of care
Foot & eye checks
HbA1c monitoring
Subsidised dietitian & podiatry
Care plans
Bulk billed
Diabetes care
Type 1 & type 2
Annual cycle of care
Foot & eye checks
HbA1c monitoring
Subsidised dietitian & podiatry
Care plans
Bulk billed
Diabetes carequestions, answered.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
On blood tests — usually HbA1c or fasting glucose, sometimes a glucose tolerance test.
What is a good HbA1c?
Around 7 percent or less for many adults with type 2, but targets are individual and a higher one is sometimes safer.
Can type 2 diabetes be reversed?
Remission is possible for some people, particularly early after diagnosis with substantial weight loss.
How often do I need reviews?
Usually every three to six months.
Do I need to see a dietitian?
It helps considerably, and a care plan makes sessions subsidised.
How often should my eyes be checked?
At least every two years, more often if changes are found.
Is it bulk billed?
Consultations are, with a valid Medicare card.
What about prediabetes?
It is the most valuable stage to find. Progression is often preventable.
General information onlyThis page is general health information for anyone who finds it useful. It is not advice about your own situation and it does not replace a consultation with a doctor who knows you. If you are worried about a symptom, book an appointment or call (02) 6530 7404. In an emergency, call 000.
Standard GP consultations are bulk billed for everyone with a valid Medicare card.