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Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA
There is a lot of confusion in healthcare. You'll probably catch yourself asking... "What does that medical term mean?" or "What does this medication do?" or "Who will I be working with to manage my health?". If you have questions about your care, do not worry. It is perfectly normal and very common to ask about specialists you may need to see or the specifics of a treatment plan.
What Doctors Treat Diabetes
For those managing type 1 diabetes (T1D), you will have to work with a team of healthcare professionals. Each may specialize in a different area to provide comprehensive care. Looking for an overview of doctors involved in treating type 1 diabetes? PatientsLikeMe has you covered.
Endocrinologist
- Role: An endocrinologist is a specialist in hormones and the glands that produce them. This includes the pancreas which produces insulin.
- Involvement: These doctors play a central role in treating diabetes. They help to regulate blood sugar levels through medication, insulin therapy, and monitoring. Endocrinologists also treat diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal gland, bone health and metabolic disorders - to name a few additional areas of expertise.
Diabetes Educator
- Role: A diabetes educator is a healthcare professional who specializes in teaching patients about diabetes management. They often help address questions around diet, exercise, and medications.
- Involvement: They provide education on blood sugar monitoring, insulin administration, diet, and exercise. This helps patients manage their condition more effectively.
Click here to learn more about Type 1 Diabetes.
Dietitian / Nutritionist
- Role: A registered dietitian nutritionist is a professional that specializes in food and nutrition. Managing blood sugar levels is central to T1D, and a RDN can help choose nutritious foods and control portion sizes.
- Involvement: They help create meal plans that manage blood sugar levels and maintain a balanced diet. For both the short and long term, an RDN can help with meal plans and to address daily challenges.
Ophthalmologist
- Role: An ophthalmologist is a doctor specializing in eye care and vision health. Diabetes can cause a number of eye conditions and deeper health problems. Working with a doctor trained in this specific field can help with early diagnosis and treatment.
- Involvement: They perform regular eye exams to monitor and treat diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and other vision problems related to diabetes. It is recommended you see an ophthalmologist at least once per year.
Podiatrist
- Role: A podiatrist is a specialist in foot and ankle care. Some of the most common complications from T1D are foot related due to poor blood circulation in the extremities. If left unaddressed, these can turn into serious health risks and may require blood vessel bypasses and eventual extremity amputation.
- Involvement: They treat and prevent foot complications, such as ulcers and infections. It is recommended that people with T1D see a podiatrist at least once a year. Those with poor circulation or numbness in the feet should see one more often, every 2-3 months.
Psychiatrist
- Role: It is fairly common for people with a chronic condition like T1D to experience burnout, depression and anxiety. A mental health professional like a psychiatrist or psychologist provides care in this area. Treating the mind can be just as important as treating physical symptoms.
- Involvement: They help patients cope with the emotional and psychological aspects of managing a chronic condition like diabetes. This includes lowering stress and anxiety and treating depression.
Click here to learn more about Type 1 Diabetes.
Treating type 1 diabetes takes a team of healthcare professionals. Each one contributes their expertise to provide comprehensive treatment. Knowing what each of them do and how they help is an important part of understanding your care. With contributions from these doctors, you can manage the medical, physical, dietary and psychological aspects of living with T1D.
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