Five tests are the cornerstones for monitoring your overall health with diabetes and developing a daily management plan -- yet few of the more than 21 million people in the United States living with diabetes know their results of these five tests:
- A1c
- Blood pressure
- Lipids (HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
- Microalbumin
- Yearly eye exam
Knowing your five key test results will enable you to manage your condition as successfully and fully as possible, and achieve the long and healthy life you want. Dr. Richard Jackson and Amy Tenderich walk you through how to understand each of these factors and then to create a personalized treatment plan for optimum blood-glucose control, heart health, and general diabetes management and well being.

Richard Jackson, MD, is Director of Outreach at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Senior Investigator in the Research Division at the Center, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Amy Tenderich, a professional journalist with an MA in communication studies, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in May 2003. Her diabetes blog (www.DiabetesMine.com) recently received the LillyforLife Achievement Award. for diabetes journalism.