Tests in Your First Visits

Your first visits often include a few checks. Each one looks at a different part of your health. These checks can find problems early, when they are easier to treat.

The A1C test is like a 3 month report card for your blood sugar. Blood pressure shows how hard blood pushes on your blood vessel walls. A cholesterol test measures fats in your blood. These fats can affect your heart.

Bindu holds a folder across from a faceless person with a Doctor badge. For each check, a note with its name goes to the doctor, who turns green and hands back a sheet with a tick. A1C test: a 3 month report card for blood sugar. Blood pressure: how hard blood pushes on vessel walls. Cholesterol: fats in your blood.

Kidney checks use two tests. A urine test looks for protein. Protein can leak into urine when the kidneys are not filtering well.

A blood test shows how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood. Think of your kidneys as a cleaning crew for your blood. They take out waste and keep what you need.

A kidney is drawn cut open with a sieve inside. Blood flows in through a red tube, protein stays in the sieve, and water and waste drip down a tube into a jar below, with a blood sugar bar beside it. High blood sugar wears torn holes in the mesh and protein slips into the jar. With blood sugar kept in range, a shield guards the filter.

Your doctor may refer you to an eye doctor for a dilated eye exam. Drops widen your pupils, the dark centers of your eyes. That lets the doctor see inside.

Your doctor may also refer you for a foot check. Feet are checked at every visit. Tell your team if you spot a sore, numbness or skin change.

Key takeaways

• A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol are common first-visit checks.
• Kidney checks use a urine test and a blood test.
• Your eye exam may start with a referral, so ask about it early.

Try it

If you have an eye exam or foot check referral, call to book it. Ask how often it is due.