Do I need to see an endo?Newly diagosed T2?

Question

My family dr has been prescribing for me since my diagosis (type 2) 8 weeks ago. He hasn't said anything about sending me to an endo. Should I find one anyway?

Answer 1

I chose to learn all I could about the disease... (including alternative treatments to conventional meds). I've been completely off the drugs for over a week, now. My average blood glucose readings for the past 14 days are 91mg/dl (5.1mmol/l). The highest I've been during that period was 140mg/dl (7.8mmol/l). That was after an 800 calorie mistake at Long John Silver's. As soon as I got back on my regular diet, my BG settled back down to 89.

It boils down to this.... Are you up to the task of learning as much (or more) about the disease than your doctor? I've never seen an endocrinologist and never will. There's no reason to unless you're too lazy to learn this stuff yourself.

Here's an easy start for you: http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type_II_Diabetes.html
http://www.drfuhrman.com
http://www.drmcdougall.com
http://www.diabetesimprovement.com/

Answer 2

That all depends on how savvy your doctor is! But my pharmacist recommended that I go get an Endo the other day. He thinks I am a candidate for a pump, but you can't get one through primary care docs.

I recommend you get 2 books and read them:
"Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year" and
"Atkins Diabetes Revolution".

These 2 books will answer questions you haven't even thought of yet and will help guide you with dietary matters too.

I have an e friend who is a fan of Endos!! She keeps demanding that all diabetics need to be seeing one.

Has your doctor refered you to a Certified Diabetes Educator? or a dietician? These can be more helpful than an Endo at this stage. In order for your insurance to pay their bills, your doctor must refer you.

I have fired several Primary Care Doctors in the past 10 years of having Diabetes Type 2 for mostly being total idiots. One was into "if a little bit is good, a maximum dose is better" and caused me to gain almost 100 pounds!!! and to stay in Hypo state most of the time!

Answer 3

A lot depends on how confident you are in your doctor's ability to treat your disease. I used to have a primary care physician that is an older doctor, and really didn't trust him for anything other than a common cold or a general physical exam.

After eight weeks, how well is your BGL being controlled? It usually takes a while to find the correct insulin dosage. There are websites and discussion groups that can give you an idea of when you should expect adequate control of your blood glucose levels. Go to the link below for more advice.

Regardless of whether it is necessary, if you would feel more confident in the quality of your treatment, then seek a specialist. If your insurance is good enough to allow you to see a specialist without paying a huge copay/deductible, you may want your doc to refer you to one, or just look one up in the yellow pages or your insurance company's directory. It could be that you will decide in the long run that your regular doc was doing just fine after all.

Answer 4

Not necessarily. Diabetes is more easily controlled and understood these days and your family doctor can easily manage it. You could see an endo if you just really wanted to but unless your diabetes is really hard to control or you have other complications from it you don't need to. You'll need to do a lab test called hemoglobin A1c (glycohemoglobin) several times a year. I do it twice a year at the doctors' office and then I order one off the internet twice a year and do it myself just to be sure I'm controlling mine. The book "Diabetes for Dummies" is relatively cheap ($17.00) and is really easy to understand and very helpful.

If you're having any problems knowing what to eat, how to count carbohydrates, etc., contact your nearest hospital dieticians office and find out when they offer diabetic teaching. I'm convinced that made a tremendous difference in my own management and ability to control mine.

Answer 5

If your doctor is Reguarly monitoring your diabetes: your A1c (blood sugar avg.over a period of 2-3mons.) Your kidney functions, Checking the nerves & pulse in your feet regularly.Plus asking you about your diet & monitoring your blood sugar at home.He's good.
My family doctor I trusted treated me for diabetes for 5 yrs. and he never did anything but give me some pills and I came back every 3 mons. for blood test.I kept telling him about the pain in my feet & legs, but he never checked them.I'd ask him something and he would say it was nothing to worry about.Later I went to a diabetic doctor & he told me the pain I had in my feet was nerve damage & he changed my medicine and sent me to a diabetic educator to help teach me about a diabetic diet,not just tell me to watch what I ate.
The diabetic doctor was concern with everything from head to toe.I think sometimes it is better to go to a specialist if you are having problems & you don't feel you are getting the help you need.

Answer 6

Not if you have confidence in your current doctor. I use my regular doctor and I'm very happy with the treatment and her knowledge. Remember, medications can take quite awhile to get the right results and you may have to change meds a few times. Be patient, exercise often, check your sugar, and watch your diet carefully.

Answer 7

as long as the diabetes is under control your gp can do all the work.if things start to get complicated with extra high or very low reading,he will call in the endocronologist

Answer 8

you need to see specialist and if he won't then you go but tell him you want one period now.