12/09/2025
📣 DIABETES EDUCATION: KNOW YOUR NUMBERS, PROTECT YOUR HEALTH
Diabetes isn’t just about blood sugar — it's a condition that affects multiple organs in the body. Monitoring your labs and making smart lifestyle choices can prevent serious complications and help you live a longer, healthier life.
🧪 Key Diagnostic Tests Every Diabetic Needs
📍 A1C (Hemoglobin A1C)
Measures your average blood sugar over 3 months
Goal for most patients: below 7%
Helps guide medication adjustments and diet changes
Why it matters: High A1C levels increase the risk of kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, and nerve damage.
📍 Microalbumin (Urine Test for Protein)
Detects early signs of kidney damage
Should be checked at least once a year
Why it matters: The kidneys are often affected long before symptoms begin. Early detection = early treatment.
📍 Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST)
Monitors liver stress, especially in patients using medications or living with fatty liver disease
Why it matters: Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to fatty liver, cirrhosis, and medication complications.
📍 Kidney Function Tests (Creatinine, GFR, BUN)
Measures how well your kidneys are filtering waste
Why it matters: Diabetes is the #1 cause of kidney failure in the U.S.
If you don’t check these regularly, you’re guessing — not managing your diabetes.
🥗 The Power of a Healthy Diet
Food can raise or lower your blood sugar — and your A1C — faster than almost anything else. A diabetic-friendly diet focuses on:
✔️ Lean Protein: chicken, turkey, salmon, eggs, Greek yogurt
✔️ High-Fiber Vegetables: broccoli, spinach, peppers, cauliflower, asparagus
✔️ Whole Grains: quinoa, oats, brown rice, whole wheat pasta
✔️ Healthy Fats: avocados, nuts, olive oil
✔️ Low-Glycemic Fruits: berries, apples, pears, oranges
Foods to limit (spike blood sugar rapidly):
❌ sweet tea, sodas, candy, pasta, bread, white rice, potatoes, fried foods, pastries, ice cream
The goal:
Eat foods that digest slowly, stabilize blood sugar, and help your body use insulin effectively.
💡 Why This Matters
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to:
❗ Blindness
❗ Heart attack and stroke
❗ Kidney failure and dialysis
❗ Nerve damage and amputations
❗ Fatty liver disease
Regular monitoring + proper diet = prevention, not crisis.
🏥 We’re Here to Help
At Your Choice Healthcare, we offer:
📌 A1C testing
📌 Liver and kidney panels
📌 Microalbumin screening
📌 Diabetic education and meal planning
Don’t wait until complications start — know your numbers and take control today.
Call for an appointment or walk in!
Baxley 9127059680, Eastman 4785593154, McRae 2298682106
Dublin 4783467150
