Recently Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes? See a Specialist for Best Results

People who have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes - and who also suffer from other chronic health problems - could add years to their lives by seeing an endocrinologist within one year being diagnosed, according to a new study.

Researchers from St. Michael's Hospital in Ontario found that patients who saw this type of specialist had lower rates of heart disease and death than patients who left their treatment in the hands of primary care doctors.

"With more than a million people living with diabetes in Ontario, endocrinologists don't expect, or necessarily need, to see every patient," said Dr. Gillian Booth, study author and endocrinologist. "We really wanted to look at who would stand to benefit from early specialist care and should be referred as soon as possible."


Targeted care means longer lives

In many cases, people with diabetes don't see an endocrinologist until they experience moderate to severe health complications. In Canada, the authors explained, there aren't specific guidelines when it comes to specialist care for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Yet early intervention with an endocrinologist can help patients address a wide variety of factors that may determine their health outcomes: diet, exercise, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure, for example.

"The earlier we can help provide targeted care to these patients, the better," Booth said.

The study is published in the journal Diabetic Medicine.

Source: St. Michael's Hospital

Image courtesy of hin255/FreeDigitalPhotos.net


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