Diabetics, stop testing just your sugar

TOO OFTEN in clinics across Jamaica, a patient walks in and says, “Mi sugar good”, pointing to a blood glucose result from a week ago. But when I ask about their HbA1c, kidney function, cholesterol, or eye screening, they haven’t done them. Sometimes not in years.

Here is the truth: if you’re only checking your blood sugar, you’re not really managing your diabetes.

Glucose checks are important, but they’re just one snapshot. Diabetes is a full-body disease, and it needs a full-body approach. Without regular, comprehensive testing, serious complications can creep in silently: kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness, amputations, heart attacks, strokes.

And by the time symptoms show up, the damage is often harder and more expensive to reverse.

WHAT IS A FULL DIABETIC PANEL?

A full diabetic panel goes far beyond a finger prick. It gives you and your doctor the full picture of how your diabetes is affecting your body. It typically includes:

. HbA1c: Shows your average blood sugar over three months (not just one day).

. Kidney function tests: Creatinine and urea to catch early kidney damage.

. Urine microalbumin: Detects tiny amounts of protein in the urine, a silent sign of kidney stress.

. Cholesterol panel: Diabetes increases your risk of clogged arteries and heart disease.

. Liver function tests: Important for patients on certain medications.

. Electrolytes: Imbalances can be dangerous, especially if you are on diuretics.

. Eye and nerve screening referrals: To catch complications before they cause vision loss or numbness.

WHY JAMAICANS CAN’T AFFORD TO SKIP THESE TESTS

Jamaica has one of the highest diabetes rates in the Caribbean. But many people are being falsely reassured by ‘normal sugar’ readings while silent damage continues. Even worse, many only find out something is wrong when it is too late when they are in the hospital, losing a limb or on dialysis.

A full diabetic panel is not a luxury, It is a necessity, and it’ is now more accessible than ever. At MDLink, we’ have made it easy to book your full panel online, do your test discreetly at a lab or at home, and get fast results with digital doctor support. No guessing. No runaround. Just answers.

If you are living with diabetes, demand more than just a sugar check. Book your full diabetic panel today at www.themdlink.com or visit our accredited diagnostic laboratory. If your doctor hasn’t ordered one yet, ask them: “Doc, how do we know if diabetes is affecting my kidneys, heart, or nerves?” Because managing diabetes is not just about today’s sugar reading. It is about protecting your future.

Dr Ché Bowen is a medical doctor, digital health entrepreneur, and CEO of MDLink Group Ltd. He leads innovations in lab testing, telemedicine, and e-prescription technology across the Caribbean. Contact: drchebowen@themdlink.com