Screenings if you have diabetes
Once you have diabetes, the checks change: the American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care 2026 list regular tests for blood sugar, eyes, kidneys, feet, blood pressure and cholesterol. Here is how often each is advised. Your doctor sets your own schedule. (ADA, 2026) (ADA, 2026)
The checklist
| Check | How often (ADA 2026) |
|---|---|
| A1C (or continuous glucose monitor metrics) | At least twice a year; more often, for example every 3 months, if you are not meeting goals or treatment or health changed (ADA, 2026) |
| Dilated eye exam | Type 2: first exam at diagnosis. Type 1: 5 years after onset. Then every 1 to 2 years may be considered if yearly exams show no retinopathy and glucose is in range; at least yearly if any retinopathy (ADA, 2026) |
| Kidney tests: urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and eGFR | At least once a year for everyone with type 2 diabetes, and for type 1 after 5 years (ADA, 2026) |
| Comprehensive foot exam | At least once a year, to find risk factors for ulcers and amputations (ADA, 2026) |
| Nerve check (peripheral neuropathy) | From diagnosis of type 2, or 5 years after type 1, then at least once a year (ADA, 2026) |
| Blood pressure | At every routine visit, or at least every 6 months (ADA, 2026) |
| Cholesterol (lipid profile) | Not on a statin: reasonable at diagnosis, at the first medical evaluation, then yearly or more often if needed. On a statin: your clinician sets the schedule (ADA, 2026) |
These are the ADA's general intervals. Your doctor may test more or less often depending on your results, type of diabetes and other conditions.
How this differs from diabetes screening
The USPSTF recommendation on diabetes is a screening for people who do not know they have it: adults 35 to 70 without symptoms who have overweight or obesity. (USPSTF, 2021) See diabetes screening: who and how often. Once diabetes is diagnosed, the checklist above applies instead.
Diabetes also counts in other screening advice. The USPSTF lists it as one of the risk factors, with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking, in its statin advice for adults 40 to 75. (USPSTF, 2022)
Questions people ask
What tests should a person with diabetes have every year?
Under the ADA Standards of Care 2026: kidney tests (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and eGFR) at least once a year for type 2 diabetes and for type 1 after 5 years; a comprehensive foot exam and a check for nerve damage at least once a year; a lipid profile yearly if you do not take a statin; A1C at least twice a year; blood pressure at every routine visit; and a dilated eye exam on a schedule your eye doctor sets. (ADA, 2026) (ADA, 2026) (ADA, 2026) (ADA, 2026)
How often do I need a diabetic eye exam?
For type 2 diabetes the ADA advises a first dilated eye exam at diagnosis; for type 1, 5 years after onset. If one or more yearly exams show no retinopathy and your glucose is in the goal range, every 1 to 2 years may be considered; if any retinopathy is present, at least once a year. (ADA, 2026)
How often should A1C be checked?
The ADA says at least twice a year, and more often (for example every 3 months) if you are not meeting your goals, your treatment recently changed, or your health has changed. (ADA, 2026)
Does the USPSTF diabetes screening apply to me if I already have diabetes?
No. The USPSTF screening is for adults 35 to 70 without symptoms who have overweight or obesity, to find prediabetes or diabetes. Once you have a diagnosis, the regular checks on this page take over. Your doctor decides the details. (USPSTF, 2021)
Related
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