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Make sure that the patient's list of medications is complete and current. This means not only verifying that the patient recognizes the name of a medication but is actually taking it at the recommended dose and times specified.

When you ask about the patient's insulin, ask about dose, schedule, where s/he administers the injections (make sure different sites are used). Also ask if the patient varies the dosage in response to SMBG.

Lastly, ask about any herbals or supplements the patient is taking. Some patients take herbal remedies or antioxidants, such as Vitamins E and C or beta-carotene. There are many advertisements on the internet and from families and friends that herbal medications can benefit diabetes control, including chromium, vanadate, cinnamon, and cactus extract. Some of these preparations have shown effects in animals or in cells but most lack evidential support for significant improvements in people without a known deficiency, or are potent enough to replace taking diabetes pills or insulin.

Vitamin E specifically has recently been shown to be potentially harmful (increased risk of heart failure) so should be actively discouraged. Vitamin D deficiency has recently been shown to be common, and is associated with increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome and heart disease. It should not be assumed that vitamin D replacement will prevent or improve diabetes control, but it can decrease other health risks (e.g., osteoporosis) if it is deficient and more studies are needed to know its impact on diabetes and obesity.