Endocrinology, diabetes and nutrition services
As a member of your healthcare team, a diabetes educator makes managing your diabetes easier. We work with you to develop a plan to stay healthy and give you tools and ongoing support to make that plan a regular part of your life.
When to see an endocrinologist
Most patients are referred to an endocrinologist through their primary care provider. Your primary care provider will discuss concerns with you and may run a series of tests to help identify potential medical conditions. If the problem is hormone related, your primary care provider will refer you to an endocrinologist for further testing and evaluation.
Key services
- Cancers of endocrine gland
- Cholesterol (lipid) disorders
- Hormonal management
- Hypertension
- Infertility related to hormone imbalance
- Lack of growth (short stature)
- Menopause
- Metabolic disorders
- Nutritional counseling
- Osteoporosis
- Pituitary gland disorders
- Pre-pregnancy diabetes counseling
- Self-management and educator led education including a prediabetes class
- Thyroid diseases: nodules, goiter, enlarged thyroid gland
Prediabetes and diabetes management
An estimated 30 million Americans, or 9.4 percent of the population, have diabetes, which occurs when there is too much sugar in the bloodstream or when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems such as heart disease, nerve damage, eye problems and kidney disease. A simple blood test can tell if you have diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas makes very little or no insulin. People with type 1 must take insulin daily to replace the insulin their bodies are not making. This form of the disease is most often seen in children, but it can occur at any age.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. In type 2, the body is unable to use insulin properly and sugar cannot be carried to the cells. Although the pancreas makes some insulin, it is not enough to overcome insulin resistance.
Download an infographic here: Top 5 Things to Know About Type 2 Diabetes & Heart Disease
Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes that can occur when women are pregnant. Although this form of diabetes usually disappears after the baby is born, more than half of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Monogenic diabetes is a less common form of which is inherited.
Prediabetes occurs when blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis. Over time, this can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as the risk for developing type 2 diabetes. According to the National Institute of Health, an estimated 84.1 million American adults have prediabetes.
Managing diabetes
Diabetes can be managed and most people with the condition live a long and healthy life by taking care of themselves daily.
Diabetes can affect almost every part of the body. By managing blood glucose, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol, can help prevent health problems that can occur with diabetes.
Prevea diabetes education
Prevea Health has certified diabetes care and education specialists (CDCES) working in the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program. This program is designed to help you learn how to live healthier with diabetes. Whether you have pre-diabetes, newly-diagnosed diabetes or have lived with diabetes for many years, a CDCES at Prevea can help you meet your diabetes health goals.
Certified diabetes educators are specially trained to help you overcome obstacles in your diabetes management plan as well as help you set new health goals. We will focus on seven key behavior areas:
- Healthy eating.
- Being active.
- Monitoring.
- Taking medication.
- Problem solving.
- Healthy coping.
- Reducing risks.
Talk to your primary care provider to request a referral that is needed to enter the program. Your health care provider will send the referral to our office and you will be contacted to schedule your sessions.
What patients have said about Prevea diabetes education
“It helped me understand diabetes more and how to control it.”
“The teachers were very understanding and helpful. I even learned a few things from others in the class.”
“Very informative, plenty of handouts, examples, kept sessions on track.”
“Lifestyle changes turn into weight loss. It’s encouraging to see good changes happen.”
“I learned many things I never knew about being diabetic.”
“Very educational. Good questions asked. Good support people. Casual group setting. We’re all in this together to learn from one another.”
“I have had diabetes for more than 10 years, but I still needed to review and learn this material. I really learned so much. Everyone who has diabetes should take these four classes.”