Type 2 diabetes treatment guidelines: what to know

Your plan may include food choices, regular movement, sleep, weight support where appropriate, and medicines that improve glucose control. The clinician also reviews blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney tests, foot health, and eye screening. The right medicine depends on glucose patterns, kidney function, other conditions, side effects, pregnancy plans, and your preferences. Treatment is adjusted over time rather than chosen from one fixed list.

Take medicines as prescribed and bring an up-to-date list to appointments. Keep a record of home glucose readings when monitoring has been advised, including symptoms and unusual meals or activity. Check your feet regularly for blisters, cuts, colour change, or areas that do not heal. Attend planned blood, eye, and foot reviews. Ask before starting supplements or changing medication, especially if you have kidney disease or episodes of low glucose.

Seek urgent help for severe low-glucose symptoms, new facial weakness, difficulty speaking, chest pain, severe breathlessness, or a rapidly spreading painful skin infection. Contact your care team promptly for repeated low readings, persistent high readings, vomiting, a new foot wound, or sudden vision change. Treatment targets and testing schedules should be agreed with your own clinician.

What is my treatment goal, and how will we measure it? Which medicine fits my kidney and heart health? How often do I need eye, foot, kidney, and blood-pressure checks? What should I do during illness or before a procedure?