The prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in the Philippines is increasing fast. You probably know someone who has been diagnosed with this disease, or you yourself may already have early onset of Type 2 Diabetes.
If you are over 40 years old, consider getting tested for Diabetes. If the result of your screening is normal, you can rest easy knowing that you are free from this illness. But if the result confirms you have Diabetes, then you can do something about it early before things become more complicated.
Consult with your doctor (best if the doctor specializes in Endocrinology) and request for a Diabetes Monitoring Panel asap especially if aside from being over 40 years old, you also matches any of the risk factors identified in the Philippine Practice Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Diabetes Mellitus.
o You have a first degree relative with Type 2 diabetes (father, mother, siblings)
o You have a history of GDM (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus) or delivery of a baby weighing 8 lbs or above
o You have Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
o You are Overweight: Body Mass Index (BMI)2 of >23 kg/m2 or Obese: BMI of >25 kg/m2
o Sedentary lifestyle
o You have Hypertension (BP >140/90 mm Hg)
o You have been diagnosed or have a history of any vascular diseases including stroke, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, coronary artery disease.
*You can also go to an Internal Medicine doctor if there is no Endocrinologist in your area.
DIABETES SCREENING
Multiple laboratory tests need to be done to screen for this disease. A Comprehensive Diabetes Panel may include the following tests listed below. But ultimately, it depends on your physician what tests he recommends that you undergo.
- Complete blood count
- A1C fasting blood sugar
- blood urea nitrogen
- Creatinine
- Lipid profile
- Urinalysis
- Urine albumin/creatinine ratio
- others
How Much is a Diabetes Screening?
A major concern of Filipinos when it comes to Diabetes, is the cost of the screening, monitoring panel, regular check-ups, and medicines.
How much will you spend to undergo a comprehensive Diabetes screening? About $45 or roughly P2,300++ in a tertiary hospital in the city.
Consultation rate of doctors specializing in Diabetes care can be from P300 to P500+, depending on clinic location in the Philippines. Regular doctor visitation and undergoing diabetes monitoring panel is of utmost important if you are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
In your city, find a hospital which offers discounted packages for Diabetes screening so you can save a bit of money. If you will get the screening tests done one by one, the total cost will most likely increase significantly.
As an added reference, an established hospital in Laguna offers a discounted package for their Diabetes Monitoring Panel which includes FBS and 2 hr PPBS, Creatinine, and HBA1C which cost P1,100, as of October 2017.
Usually HMO companies covers the costs of lab tests and doctor consultation for this disease but only if you are already a member before you contracted diabetes (meaning, it is not a pre-existing disease). If your DM is pre-existing, then chances are the HMO will not cover the full cost of screening and regular lab tests / consultation with a specialist. Some HMO companies like Medicard VIP Program do cover pre-existing cases (PEC) but subject to pec inner limits.
There are a few big companies like GMA 7 or ABS-CBN or even Local Government Units which offers Free Screening and Consultation for Diabetes during company/lgu’s medical missions, take advantage of those.
Diabetes is serious. Don’t take this disease for granted. Get yourself screen.
Keep healthy!