Type 2 Diabetes: When To Call A Doctor

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When to Call a Doctor

Call your doctor about type 2 diabetes if you:

• Are age 45 or older and you have never been tested for type 2 diabetes or you have not been tested in more than 3 years.
• Are younger than 45, are at high risk for type 2 diabetes, and want to be tested.
• Have one or more of the common symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unusual weight loss, or extreme fatigue.
• Have other signs that you may have type 2 diabetes, such as wounds that are not healing well or frequent infections.
• Have not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but notice symptoms of complications from the disease, such as:
  • Having burning pain, numbness, or swelling in your feet or hands.
  • Feeling dizzy or weak when you sit up or stand up suddenly.
  • Seeing flashing lights; seeing large, floating red or black spots; or seeing large areas that look like floating hair, cotton fibers, or spiderwebs.
• Are overweight, get little or no exercise, and want help to reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• Have been told that your blood sugar level is above the normal range (prediabetes) and you want to know more about decreasing your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Watchful Waiting

If you think you may have symptoms of diabetes, it is not a good idea to ignore them or to wait and see what happens. Type 2 diabetes can get worse and can cause serious problems if it is not diagnosed early. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any symptoms of or concerns you have about type 2 diabetes, especially if you have any risk factors that make it more likely for you to develop the disease.

Who to See

The following health professionals can diagnose diabetes:

• Family medicine doctor
• General practitioner
• Internal medicine doctor
• Pediatrician
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant
• Endocrinologist

Last updated:	August 03, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC