London Medical Diabetes
London Medical Diabetes
49 Marylebone High Street
London
W1U 5HJ
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7467 5470
London Diabetes works to ensure that each individual patient controls their diabetes rather than letting diabetes control their lives through providing accessible and high quality health care.
We strive to provide the physical and psychological health of patients through a team approach to diabetes, lipid disorders, heart disease prevention, obesity, endocrinology and women's health by the promotion of education and care. Our values are confidentiality, the endorsement of wellbeing and the building of relationships amongst health professionals, patients and the medical community through fostering loyalty and interest within the Clinic and one another.
Diabetes care at London Diabetes
The London Medical diabetes care team work in partnership with the patient to help them get the most out of life with diabetes.
Treatment Plans and Self-Care Goals
The diabetes care team will work with the patient to create a tailor-made treatment plan which includes:
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Recommendations for healthy eating and living
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Advice on how and when to take insulin, tablets or both
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Advice on making adjustments according to blood sugar levels
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Individual targets for blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight
Information and Education
The London Medical diabetes care team will teach patients and their families how to recognise the signs of ketoacidosis, low (hypo) and high (hyper) blood sugar levels, and what to do when they happen. They will explain any possible long-term problems and complications that can affect a person with diabetes, how these are treated, and how the risk of developing them can be reduced. The diabetes care team will take the time to discuss with patients any lifestyle changes that they may face with diabetes, including issues such as driving, insurance, travelling and family planning.
It is important that as a patient you work with the diabetes care team to put the recommended lifestyle changes into practice, and take day-to-day responsibility for your blood sugar levels and your diabetes.
If there is something that you are unsure about, don't hesitate to ask one of the London Medical team. No question is too simple and the more you know, the more control you will have over your condition.
It is common for patients to feel depressed and anxious when they are diagnosed with diabetes, however the right team and good education about diabetes can help a great deal to reduce these anxieties. London Medical's Clinical Psychologist Lih-Mei Liao is also available for consultation if necessary.
Complication and Treatment Surveillance
Your consultation and periodic reviews will include tests and measurements that assist the team in determining how your efforts are going along with the prescribed treatment. The following checks will be done:
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HbA1c measurement to indicate your blood sugar control over the last 2-3 months as well as downloading your blood sugar meter to determine blood sugar trends related to meals or hypos. The team can then discuss with you options for improvement.
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Urine spot-check for kidney function
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BMI and Waist circumference to help determine insulin resistance & cardiac risk
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Blood pressure to determine cardiac & stroke risk
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Legs & feet check to determine your risk for leg ulcers
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Fundus photo of your eye to determine your eye health & risk for retinopathy
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Lifestyle issues will be discussed to determine your smoking & alcohol intake; any sexual problems; your exercise & eating habits - suggestions and assistance can be discussed
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Your general well-being - the team will attempt to determine how you've been feeling recently & how you're coping with diabetes so that assistance can be discussed & offered
Treatments for Diabetes Control
The London Medical clinic utilises advanced diagnostic tools to determine overall diabetes status such as:
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Continuous Glucose Monitoring to check on blood sugar control
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Ambulatory blood pressure monitor to check on blood pressure control over 24 hours
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Holter monitor to check on cardiac status over 24 hours
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Resting & Exercise ECG to check on cardiac status
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Fundus photography to check on your eye health and risk for retinopathy
There are eye and cardiac consultants available for appointments and intervention as required as decided by your diabetes team.
There is an in-house pharmacy where you can purchase prescribed medicines or the latest blood glucose meters or even self-help literature to assist you with the challenges of meal planning, etc.
As your diabetes medication is altered your diabetes team will provide you with information, advice and follow-up as required. There are various insulin regimens and tablet dose changes that you will need support in adapting to your daily life.
