You know that managing type 2 diabetes means doing whatever you can to stabilize or lower the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. That can mean planning a diabetes-friendly diet, exercising regularly, taking medications as prescribed, and following a glucose-monitoring plan.
That’s a lot to keep track of, but the good news is, you don’t have to go it alone. There are a battery of professionals who can show you how to get on track and stay there.
Why It’s Important to Have a Diabetes Healthcare Team
Properly controlling diabetes pays off in how you feel — today and in the future — and can have a significant impact on your health.
Lower A1C, blood pressure, BMI, and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol numbers may increase the life expectancy of the average person in the United States with diabetes by three years, according to research.
“We know that type 2 diabetes affects most systems of the body. You’ll never find one professional who is an expert in all of those systems,” says Nicole M. Bereolos, PhD, a psychologist and certified diabetes care and education specialist in Dallas. It may feel frustrating to have five or six providers, she says, but each of these healthcare professionals offers a different resource.
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Resources to Find Diabetes Specialists
Which provider you see, and how often, may come down to what’s covered by your insurance. Copays can add up, and costs to see specialists, who may be only partially covered (or not covered at all), can quickly become prohibitive. Always check to see what your insurance covers and whether new providers you want to see are in your insurance network.
If you have questions about finding specialists in your area, you can tap into a few search tools. A good place to begin is the provider finder on your insurance company’s website or app, which can identify those who are accepting new patients. Sesame provides direct-to-patient care through video visits, meaning you pay a flat out-of-pocket fee. And Healthcare Bluebook specializes in providing accurate information on what your visit will cost, so you can shop around for providers.
If the ability to take time off and travel to medical appointments is a concern, video visits can be a great option in certain cases. There are also apps you can use, such as Teladoc, MD Live, and Doctor On Demand, to facilitate your virtual medical care. These can be paid for out of pocket, but first check to see if your insurance covers the use of a virtual doctor's visit app.
Healthcare Pros to Add to Your Diabetes Care Team
With all that in mind, here’s a list of the healthcare providers you’ll need on your team as you take up the challenge of managing type 2 diabetes.
1. A Primary Care Physician for General Health Concerns
This is the person you’ll see for regular checkups, concerns that are outside the scope of diabetes, and routine care, such as vaccinations. When it comes to diabetes, the primary care physician (PCP) plays a critical role as the central coordinator of your care, says Dr. Bereolos. They’ll recommend that you see a specialist when specific issues arise, follow up to make sure you’ve seen the specialist and understand the treatment being offered, and help you adhere to a care plan. They should also keep a complete list of all the medications (prescription and over the counter) and supplements you are taking.
2. An Endocrinologist to Help With Blood Glucose Management
This doctor treats diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine system and can be especially important if your PCP does not work with many patients with diabetes. An endocrinologist will help you manage your blood sugar and assess whether you need blood-sugar-lowering medication — and if so, determine the right medication and dose for you.
Because diabetes is a lifelong condition, “Endocrinologists may have long and close relationships with their patients,” according to the American Medical Association. To find an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes in your area, use the Endocrine Society’s tool to locate one by zip code and subspecialty.
3. A Pharmacist to Educate You on the Medications You’re Taking
This professional can help you understand the medications prescribed to you and how they work. They can also check for medication interactions, which is especially important if you’re taking multiple drugs prescribed by different doctors.
Most of the research in one meta review showed that including pharmacists in the diabetes management process led to improved outcomes. For example, people who worked with pharmacists showed significant improvement in A1C/blood glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, and more, compared with people who did not include pharmacists on their care team.
4. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to Build a Diabetes-Friendly Diet
A large part of diabetes management is good nutrition, according to the American Diabetes Association. This means knowing what to eat and avoid — and how to fit in the foods you love while keeping your blood sugar in check.
A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can help you with this and with meeting other health goals, such as weight loss or improved blood pressure and cholesterol. Another important role they play is assisting you in trying specific diet plans, such as intermittent fasting or a ketogenic diet, in a safe way. Ideally, you’ll work with an RDN who is also a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES).
5. A CDCES to Create a Healthy Lifestyle
This certified healthcare professional will help you develop a diabetes management plan, as well as put lifestyle changes into practice. “A CDCES usually has a lot more time to spend with the person with diabetes than a PCP does. Appointments with a CDCES are typically up to an hour,” Bereolos explains. “This really allows for more personalized care so that you can succeed in reaching your goals.” Many CDCES professionals are also RDNs, meaning they can work closely with you to develop healthy eating habits to manage diabetes successfully.
Some professionals who hold the CDCES credential, such as Bereolos, are trained in behavioral psychology, a specialty that offers additional perks for patients. “Working with a psychologist can help to address some of the challenges in living with diabetes,” she explains. They can also serve as an accountability partner.
“These are professionals who want to be your cheerleader. They want you to succeed,” Bereolos says. Diabetes educators are often employed by hospital systems or in private practice. Ask your PCP for a referral or find one in your area with the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education’s locator tool.
6. A Dentist to Monitor Gum Health
Care of teeth and gums is vital for everyone, but it’s especially important if you have type 2 diabetes. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, people with diabetes are at increased risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. And these problems can then make it harder for you to follow a healthy diet (an essential part of managing diabetes).
Talk to your dentist about how diabetes may affect your dental checkups.
7. A Podiatrist to Treat Foot-Related Diabetes Complications
This practitioner specializes in problems of the lower legs and feet and will help you watch and care for any complications in those lower extremities. Complications from diabetes account for more than 100,000 lower limb amputations each year, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. Seeing a podiatrist to monitor and treat foot problems decreases the risk of amputation by as much as 85 percent, the organization says. Bonus: Some podiatrists also have the CDCES credential, says Bereolos.
8. An Ophthalmologist to Prevent Eye Diseases Caused by Diabetes
Your eye specialist will help you maintain healthy vision and monitor you for any complications caused by elevated or uncontrolled blood sugar. These conditions include cataracts, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who have diabetes get an eye exam annually.
9. Your Inner Circle to Support Your Emotional and Overall Health
Let your loved ones know what’s going on with your health (to the degree you feel comfortable) and how they can help relieve the burden of a diabetes diagnosis. “If they offer a source of positive support, friends and family can buffer some of the stress that comes from managing diabetes,” says Bereolos.
10. Support Groups to Share Ideas on Living Well With Diabetes
Support groups can help you connect with other people living with type 2 diabetes, who are likely to understand your struggles and challenges and can offer tips and strategies for a healthy life. Bereolos especially likes DiabetesSisters. The American Diabetes Association also has a great community support channel with helpful forums for people living with type 1 or 2 diabetes and their caregivers.
The Takeaway
Living with type 2 diabetes entails managing many aspects of the condition, including the effect it can have on your physical and emotional health.
Working with various healthcare professionals, such as nutrition experts, dentists, and vision specialists, can help you keep symptoms in check and better manage the condition.
By practicing healthy habits and working with various diabetes healthcare pros, you can optimize type 2 diabetes management and improve your overall health and well-being.
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
Kianmehr H et al. Potential Gains in Life Expectancy Associated With Achieving Treatment Goals in US Adults With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA Network Open. April 2022.
Abdulrhim S et al. The Impact of Pharmacist Care on Diabetes Outcomes in Primary Care Settings: An Umbrella Review of Published Systematic Reviews. Primary Care Diabetes. October 2020.
Sandy Bassin, MD, is an endocrinology fellow at Mount Sinai in New York City. She is passionate about incorporating lifestyle medicine and plant-based nutrition into endocrinology, particularly for diabetes and obesity management.
She trained at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, where she taught culinary medicine classes to patients and medical trainees. She continued her training at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Dr. Bassin has published reviews of nutrition education in medical training and physical activity in type 2 diabetes in Nutrition Reviews, Endocrine Practice, and the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. She has been featured on the Physician to Physician Plant-Based Nutrition podcast and given many presentations on lifestyle interventions in endocrine disorders.
She stays active through yoga and gardening, and loves to cook and be outdoors.
Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).
