caret icon Back to all discussions

Endo's

I have a quick question(I think). I'll be switching to a new primary care doctor come January. Since I know that some of them believe if they don't see it, you don't have it. I had one like that before. I work hard to keep my A1C in a "Normal" range. So she didn't see anything and said that I didn't have it. I got hold of my CDE and had her yank me away and put with another one that had better understanding of diabetes and diabetics. I don't want to come across that again. I'm already seeing an Endo for something else. So the question is are Endo's mainly handling diabetics with big issues or do they handle all diabetics. If latter I'm thinking about asking mine if she'll accept me as a diabetic patient as well as what she's seeing me for now. All experts and everyone please feel free to chime in. I know it might sound dumb but I don't know what if any restrictions they place on seeing diabetic patients, if it's everyone or only those with severe issues. I figure that at least an Endo wouldn't pull that stunt of if they don't see it then you don't have it bit.

  1. Cool. Just found out today that the Endo will see me as a diabetic but will still need a referral from my new primary care doctor even if I will be on Medicare. Just hope that I can talk the new primary care doctor into it once I find one.

    At least will be able to continue to see her for the issue I'm already seeing her for. That part still good. Like that.

    1. That's a great question! It may vary by doctor and situation, but many have written about seeing an endocrinologist ( https://type2diabetes.com/living/diabetes-team-endocrinologist ). I'm glad they will be able to see you, and hope that the primary care doctor you see in January will have more understanding and care and will offer a referral. Keep us updated! - Margot, Team Member

      1. Hope so as well. Might have to ask around. Know that the doctor the wife is seeing takes good care of her but not sure on the view of diabetes. Reason saying this is that wife had an A1C done and when I had seen the results I thought was in the 'pre' range but the assistant when calling me said labs were normal to include A1C. Brought that up to doctor and she said did look a bit high but would do another test to make sure. That one came back good. So could had been a fluke or something. Still leaves me wondering though. Because if they go by A1C then they might say okay and want to leave it. But if I'm not on the Metformin the after meal reads are all over from a good range to over what's the max considered by the ADA.

        That's why this one put me back on Metformin. The A1C was very good and in a 'normal' range but the reads on the spreadsheet made her put me back on. So I'm hoping that she's not one of those that if she don't see it then you don't have it types. I had one of those before and was lucky in that the CDE pulled me away from that one and put me with someone that knew about diabetes.

        1. My dietitian is located in what they call "endocrinologist and diabetes" area of biiig clinic that has many places patients go to for many needs. I went the other day, and we discussed diabetes education, meal planning, etc. I am not seeing an Endo, though.

          I have heard some good results about Endos, but also some bad.

          1. @ dustylee
            Good and bad can happen with any doctor. I've been very lucky for my doctors and specialists. I've also heard about some people that have had bad experiences. So far I'm only seeing an Endo for some thyroid issue, not for diabetes. The new Internal Medicine doctor I'm seeing knows that I'm a controlled diabetic and looks like she's going to be working well with me. I wish you the best in the doctors that you find.

        Please read our rules before posting.