The primary goal of diabetes management is optimal blood glucose control. Self-monitoring of blood glucose helps you and your diabetes care team evaluate your overall blood glucose control and review the trends and patterns of your blood glucose levels during the course of the day.

The lower your HbA1c, the better your chances of avoiding serious diabetes complications.

Each person with diabetes and his diabetes care team should set individualized A1C goals. For most people with diabetes, the A1C target is below 7%.

If you haven’t already worked with a dietitian to design an individualized meal plan, ask your diabetes care team for a referral to a registered dietitian.

If your diabetes has no bearing on your ability to do the job, it would not be appropriate to bring it or any other personal medical information up during your interview.

Not at all — keep in mind that even with your best efforts in managing your diabetes, you may still experience high blood glucose from time to time.

Yes — low testosterone levels may contribute to increased insulin resistance, which can contribute to hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).

Store opened containers of medicines you are currently using at room temperature. Unopened packages of pills can also be stored at room temperature.

Yes — you should tell your health-care team about any over-the-counter medicines or alternative therapies you use so that together you can determine whether those substances or practices are having an effect on your blood glucose control.

Yes. Part of your hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) action plan will likely be more frequent blood glucose monitoring, at least temporarily, to help determine why your blood glucose is high and what you can do to avoid future episodes of hyperglycemia. Reviewing the amount of carbohydrate in your meals and snacks may also be helpful in determining the cause of hyperglycemia.

Yes. Part of your hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) action plan will likely be more frequent blood glucose monitoring, at least temporarily, to help determine why your blood glucose is high and what you can do to avoid future episodes of hyperglycemia. Reviewing the amount of carbohydrate in your meals and snacks may also be helpful in determining the cause of hyperglycemia.

Keeping blood glucose levels close to normal requires learning how to balance food intake, physical activity, and the effects of any diabetes medicines your doctor may prescribe to lower your blood glucose level.

Celiac disease commonly shows up in children, but it has been diagnosed in people of all ages, mainly because not everyone with celiac disease experiences symptoms right away. (In many cases of undiagnosed celiac disease, there are no symptoms at all.) Celiac disease often occurs in those with another autoimmune disorder, and it is found in 5% to 7% of people who have type 1 diabetes.

Yes — long-term complications of untreated celiac disease (an intolerance to gluten) include osteoporosis, fertility problems, and benign or malignant tumors of the small intestine.

Yes — in fact, there’s no better place than a cruise ship if you have dietary restrictions. Just let the maître d’ know what you need. You’ll get to preview the next day’s menu, make your choice, and the chef will, if possible, alter the recipe to meet your needs.

Yes — do stretching exercises on the plane and walk up and down the aisle every hour to prevent muscle stiffness.