Organ or condition

Test

High cholesterol

Every year, get your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride tests (done after you have not eaten for 9 to 12 hours).

• Level of LDL ("bad") cholesterol in your blood
• Level of HDL ("good") cholesterol in your blood
• Level of triglycerides in your blood

• LDL less than 100 mg/dL or aim for keeping it at 70 mg/dL
• HDL more than 40 mg/dL in men and more than 50 mg/dL in women
• Triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL

High blood pressure

Every year, have your blood pressure checked.

Pressure of blood flow in your arteries

Less than 130 mm Hg systolic (top number) and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic (bottom number)

Kidneys

Every year, get a urine test that checks for microalbumin, or small amounts of protein. If you have protein in your urine, it is a sign of kidney damage.

Kidney disease present

Subclinical (developing) kidney disease

• Negative macroalbuminuria (less than 300 mg of protein in 24 hours)
• Negative microalbuminuria (less than 30 mg of protein)

Eyes

Every year, visit an ophthalmologist or an optometrist for a dilated eye exam (ophthalmoscopy). Some doctors may recommend less frequent eye exams if you have no signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Whether retinopathy (damage to back of the eye) has developed

No retinal damage

Feet

Every year, get a thorough examination of your feet.

Whether foot ulcers have developed and whether the person has lost any sensation

No foot ulcers or loss of sensation