According to a recent survey, 46% of people with diabetes only see their physician twice a year or less for diabetes management and treatment updates. Although this is usually the minimum recommendation, people with comprehensive, diligent treatment plans have several doctors they see several times throughout the year. These may include their primary care provider, an education specialist, registered dieticians, ophthalmologists, optometrists, podiatrists, and endocrinologists. To help you better understand a very important type of diabetes specialist, we'll discuss everything you need to know about adding an endocrinologist to your care team.
What is an Endocrinologist?
An endocrinologist is a specific type of internal medicine doctor who focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions related to the endocrine system. This involves all the glands that produce hormones in your body and hormonal conditions.
Your endocrine system is made up of several different organs and hormone-secreting glands. Each hormone is responsible for transporting messages from one part of the body to another, resulting in effective and efficient functioning.
Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic conditions. Normally, the hormone insulin helps your body transform food into usable energy. Insulin helps pull glucose from your bloodstream to be used as energy for your cells. When you don't produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or you produce too little or become resistant to insulin's effects (type 2 diabetes), the result is high blood sugar levels that can become dangerous and result in serious, long-term complications. Individuals with diabetes may not know they have it at first, but once it's diagnosed, it can be managed with diet, exercise, and medication. An endocrinologist can help individuals manage their diabetes and make healthy lifestyle decisions based on personalized factors.
Which Conditions Do Endocrinologists Specialize In?
Several different conditions can affect the endocrine system, but the most commonly diagnosed is type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when an individual develops insulin resistance over time, so the cells can't take blood sugar and transform it into energy as effectively. Type 2 diabetes makes up about 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases, but there are plenty of things you can do to help manage the condition and live a healthy life. You can also find an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes specifically for even more experienced care.
A diabetes specialist is sometimes called an endocrinologist. However, endocrinologists treat several other conditions as well. An endocrinologist can help with conditions that affect any of the following organs and their associated hormones:
- Pancreas
- Hypothalamus
- Ovaries
- Testes
- Adrenal glands
- Thyroid gland
- Pituitary gland
- Pineal gland
Endocrinology itself focuses on treating things such as:
- Metabolic conditions (e.g., type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes)
- Metabolic syndrome
- Kidney disorders related to hormone production
- Obesity
- Thyroid disorders
- Endocrine cancers or tumors
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Ovarian cysts
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypercalcemia
- Osteoporosis
- Vitamin D deficiency
Advantages of Seeing a Diabetes Specialist
Receiving a diabetes diagnosis can be an emotional transition, but it doesn't mean you can't live a long, healthy life. The key is managing your blood sugar levels and monitoring high blood pressure to help reduce your risk of complications. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may need to see a specialist for diagnosis and treatment, or you may simply prefer to work with one. Some of the advantages of seeing a diabetes specialist include the following.
Enhanced Diabetes Management
Although many general physicians are trained to help individuals diagnosed with diabetes care for the condition, certain instances may require more specialized support. If complications related to diabetes arise or treatment options are no longer as effective as they once were, it's time to see an endocrinologist. Endocrinologists specialize in treating conditions like diabetes and have more education and experience regarding how to help their patients maximize their health outcomes. They work with all types of diabetes mellitus and can be an essential addition to your diabetes care team.
That's not to say that your family doctor cannot provide you with the tools and education you need to manage your condition. However, if you want more one-on-one assistance with managing diabetes, a specialist is a great option.
Help with Type 2 Diabetes Remission
According to new research, some people with type 2 diabetes may be able to go into remission. Some people refer to this as a "cure," but remission does not mean that type 2 diabetes won't return. If possible, your endocrinologist will likely review your treatment and management plan to determine which changes you can make to reach remission. The main component in this is usually weight loss. With GLP-1 Agonist weight loss drugs, this is becoming increasingly possible for many individuals nationwide. A diabetes specialist can work with you to determine if you're a good candidate, prescribe medication, and monitor your results.
Access to Less Conventional Treatment
Some individuals find that they don't respond as well to conventional medications or treatments. In these cases, your doctor may refer you to an endocrinologist to help you better manage your blood sugar and find something that works for your circumstances. Oftentimes, diabetes specialists will also have more information about the latest research and treatment options, which can help you find effective ways to keep complications at bay. Endocrinologists can also help individuals get involved with the latest diabetes research, which can be a very rewarding experience.
A Few Potential Drawbacks of Diabetes Specialists
While there aren't many negative components of seeing a specialist, there are two things that you need to consider: cost and time.
Increased Costs
One of the biggest disadvantages to additional doctors is insurance-related issues. Although being referred to an endocrinologist for a specific condition should prompt insurance to cover at least a portion of your visit, every policy differs. Talking to your provider to better understand your in-network coverage before scheduling an appointment with a new doctor is important.
More Appointments
You'll still need to see your primary care doctor regularly, so adding an endocrinologist may require more scheduling work. This can be a bit overwhelming initially, but it's well worth the long-term results. Having a committed team of diabetes specialists can help you manage your blood glucose levels and reduce the risk of serious complications from occurring.
What to Expect When You Go to An Endocrinologist
At your first appointment with an endocrinologist, you'll start by talking about your family health history, medical history, exercise routine, and daily diet. Then, your specialist will check your blood pressure, take measurements, and record your weight. Oftentimes, an endocrinologist will also examine your teeth, check your feet and hands, and look for any potential signs of diabetes-related neuropathy.
You'll also undergo a urinalysis and blood test, including a blood glucose reading. These are all baseline examination procedures to help your endocrinologist better understand your current health and the effectiveness of your treatment. Before leaving, you'll likely receive an in-depth explanation of your health and current condition, so be prepared to set aside some time. Once you and your endocrinologist establish a rapport, your visits won't need to be as long. However, it's important to maintain communication if there are any changes to vision, weight, or sensations. Your endocrinologist is an important part of your diabetes care team and can help you manage the effectiveness of new treatments or medications for long-term success.
When to See a Diabetes Specialist
Although your primary care physician can diagnose and treat diabetes, some individuals may benefit from seeing a diabetes specialist. You may want to see an endocrinologist for diabetes if:
- Your primary care physician doesn't have much experience working with people with diabetes.
- You just received a diagnosis and want to learn more about managing your diabetes.
- You need to take shots or use an insulin pump.
- You've developed complications from living with diabetes.
- Your diabetes treatment plan has decreased in effectiveness, and things are becoming more difficult to manage on your own.
If you're interested in booking an appointment with an endocrinologist, ask your doctor for a referral or recommendation. In the meantime, to help simplify diabetes management and reduce the risk of complications, consider using diabetes management products from Byram Healthcare. We also provide diabetes support and educational resources for comprehensive care. Contact us today to learn more.
