One of the things that I’m becoming increasingly aware of now I am in my 30s is my health. That might sound strange, as you would probably think that life with type 1 diabetes would mean that health is at the forefront of my mind. Of course I worry about diabetes complications, but in the past I have been quite blasé about them as well as my general health.
Pregnancy puts a huge strain on your body. I spent time with a chiropractor to alleviate my sciatica and back pain in my second pregnancy, and feared for my general wellbeing after extensive morning sickness for up to 28 weeks. Toss in a year of breastfeeding JJ (and a year of feeding Piglet previously), bending to lift babies and toddlers and a pile of home DIY and I think it’s safe to say the last few years have put my body through it’s paces.
I don’t have any major health concerns at this time, but I am also not where I was 10 years ago health wise. So what are the medical checks I have been looking at to make sure I am still fighting fit?
Diabetes Annual Review
Every year I attend a review of my health from my diabetes team. It covers a range of tests which give an overall look at my health, and a closer inspection of certain aspects through blood and urine tests.
Thyroid
We have a family history of thyroid problems and as it is also an autoimmune condition I am regularly tested for my thyroid function. I don’t have any symptoms other than tiredness – but I strongly suspect that it is related to the fact JJ isn’t sleeping through rather than any underlying conditions.
Kidneys
Your kidneys can be affected by raised blood glucose levels, and so mine are regularly tested. During pregnancy it was checked every 4 weeks but now I have moved back to a yearly test. This is done through a simple urine test and so far I have no reason to worry about my kidney function.
Celiac
Celiac disease is another autoimmune condition that often goes hand in hand with type 1 diabetes. Once a year I have a blood test to rule it out – just to be on the safe side.
Cholesterol
In my previous annual review it was noted that my cholesterol was rising. It is still well within safe levels, but as a diabetic they like to keep a close eye on these things. It has already been suggested that I start statins once I turn 30 if I am sure we don’t want to have any more children. I will be keen to see what my next test of my cholesterol levels show and see if a plan for the future can be made.
Eye Screening
At the moment I have my eyes checked at the hospital once a year, but during pregnancy they were checked every 3 months. The screening is looking for retinopathy, a very common complication in people with diabetes. It can affect your eyesight longterm, but with regular screening it can be caught early and treatment given. It is also important to have your standard eye test to check for vision changes and the need for glasses. If changes in your vision are identified, you can also order frames from https://www.eyeglasses.com.
I have been having smear tests since I was 21 (although I believe they are now not given until 25 now here in Scotland). I am due my next one in 2020, so I have some time before making that appointment. All of the appointments I have are important, and especially the ones for women’s health. Just because a smear test might make you feel uncomfortable it doesn’t mean it can be missed!
Body Composition Scan
I have been toying with getting a body scan. It can give you information such as muscle mass, fat mass, bone mass and body fat percentage. We have a family history of osteoporosis, so I would also consider a bone density scan. I currently have no reason for concern – but knowledge is power and early identification could be very beneficial.
Dentist
I am very lucky that at nearly 30 years old I haven’t had any fillings. I am quite particular about dental hygiene, but I’ve also had 2 pregnancies where brushing my teeth made me throw up. I make sure I see my dentist every 6 months for a check up.
So far this year both Piglet and my Dad have been to have their hearing tested. I used to get them as part of my routine medicals at work, but they are not particularly in depth and don’t give a detailed analysis of hearing. I have often found my hearing limited in certain situations and so I think the time has come to consider whether I would benefit from having my hearing checked. There are lots of factors that can affect your hearing, including a build up of ear wax. If you find this is the case for you then you can look in to ear wax removal for some help to clear it up.
Altogether I have quiet a few appointments coming up! I often feel like I spend half my life at appointments, but it’s worth it to know that I’m still fit and healthy.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.