Just Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Now What?

Your doctor just told you that you have type 2 diabetes. What happens now? Will you be able to eat food you enjoy? Will you need insulin or other medications? Will this lead to other health problems?

There’s a lot of information out there, some reliable and some not. Meeting with a diabetes educator—often a nurse with specialized training—is the best way for newly diagnosed people to get the support they need, including guidance on how to:

• Develop a healthy eating and activity plan.
• Test your blood sugar and keep a record of the results.
• Take medications if needed.
• Recognize the signs of high or low blood sugar and what to do about it.
• Monitor your feet, skin, and eyes to catch problems early.
• Buy diabetes supplies and store them properly.

Ask your doctor to recommend a diabetes educator, or search the American Association of Diabetes Educators’ nationwide directory for a list of educators in your community.

Find out more

CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation
Diabetes Basics
Managing Diabetes
Find a Diabetes Educator
CDC Diabetes on Facebook
@CDCDiabetes on Twitter