Newly Diagnosed With Diabetes? Who You Need On Your Healthcare Team

Whether you just got diagnosed with a form of diabetes or just feel like you need more support with an existing diagnosis, having the right people around you can have a tremendously positive impact on your health. The key thing to remember is that you do not have to, nor should you expect yourself to, manage this alone.

Diabetes can be an intense disease with a steep learning curve. Having the right people around you to help ease the burden is key. With a great healthcare team around you, you’ll feel more prepared and empowered, less anxious and better equipped with the right tools to stay healthy and balanced. (The good news is that many of these providers are usually covered by health insurance!)

In this guide, we explain some key people and specialists you should include on your healthcare squad once you’re diagnosed with a form of diabetes.

First, find a diabetes specialist you trust

No matter the type of diabetes, people experience dramatically different levels of care at diagnosis. Many people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or gestational diabetes are provided almost no information at all, but instead are sent home with the directive to “watch what you eat.” But it’s rarely that simple. People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) also sometimes experience this, which can be fatal since insulin is an absolute requirement for those with T1D or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).

No matter the type of diabetes, this lack of information and guidance can be dangerous at worst, but also extremely unhelpful and cause more stress than necessary. Finding a diabetes specialist you trust, like a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES), can change your experience of the disease, keep you healthier now and in the future and lower your stress levels.

Levels of diabetes care specialization

There are different levels of specialization. Based on your diagnosis and unique circumstances, you may find some that suit you better. These specializations are usually non-negotiable parts of your care team.

• Primary care provider (PCP): Some primary care providers (PCPs) are well-versed in managing diabetes, and your PCP may be a good resource for you. PCPs care for a wide range of health needs, so diabetes is one of many conditions they manage.
  
• Endocrinologist: Many people with diabetes (PWD) choose to see an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in hormones and treats all types of diabetes. Because diabetes is a hormone condition, it’s central to their training and practice.
  
• CDCES: A CDCES is a healthcare provider (HCP) with specialized knowledge in diabetes education and day-to-day management. CDCESs come from different backgrounds, such as nurses, dietitians and pharmacists, and often work alongside your PCP or endocrinologist to help you understand and apply your care plan. When you’re newly diagnosed, they are an invaluable part of your care team. You may graduate from needing one at some point, but they’re usually recommended at the start of your diabetes journey.

To summarize, your PCP offers broad care, an endocrinologist offers specialized medical care for diabetes and a CDCES offers hands-on education and support for managing it day to day.

Questions to ask yourself about your diabetes care team

To tell if your PCP, endocrinologist or other HCP can adequately help you manage your diabetes, ask questions. Treat meeting a new HCP like an interview—you’re seeing if this person is a good fit for the process of managing your health. 

Trust your gut. Ask yourself:

• Are they spending enough time explaining what’s going on with my body or why my body reacts certain ways to certain things like eating, exercise or stress?

• Do I feel like I fully understand what they are explaining? 

• Is my diabetes management responsibility clear and are they communicating simply and clearly?

• Are they acting like my partner in caring for my health?

• Are they recommending options I can try, and listening and asking follow-up questions when I am hesitant?

• Do I feel supported and confident that this person will advocate for me?

As a person living with diabetes, you have or will become the leading expert on your own body. HCPs can help, but only you know how you feel and function every day. You also need to communicate and express your needs clearly. 

A great diabetes specialist should honor this and work with you to manage your diabetes, knowing that treatments and solutions are never one size fits all. If they aren’t, it may be time to re-evaluate.

Other important specialists that can support your life with diabetes

Think of the provider types listed above as your base-level, non-negotiable care team members. These others may help based on any additional needs, goals, or unique circumstances related to your diagnosis.

• Mental health provider: Being diagnosed with diabetes means you just took on a lot—you have to learn a ton of new information in a short amount of time, completely change your habits around eating, potentially change your day-to-day routine and wonder how your short-term blood sugar management will impact your long-term health. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or to need a little extra support to work through new hurdles. Luckily, you can access mental health support in many ways today, and you can even find a therapist well-versed in diabetes management.
  
• Dietitian or nutritionist: Social media and a lot of misinformed people may tell you otherwise, but there is no such thing as a “diabetic diet.” Just like with every other person, every person with diabetes has different nutritional needs, foods that impact their blood sugar in different ways and foods that will make you feel better than others. And just like with every other person, it’s about learning what is best for you. This is where a dietitian can help you troubleshoot, figure out which foods have the biggest impact on your blood sugar levels, plan nutritious meals and snacks that don’t feel restrictive and keep your relationship with eating positive and balanced. Remember, as with the rest of diabetes management, eating isn’t one size fits all. It’s just about finding the best fuel for your body.
  
• Cardiologist: Having diabetes increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, so it’s all the more important to practice great heart health habits. If you have a family history of heart issues or other risk factors like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, add a cardiologist to your team to help keep your risk factors low.
• Pharmacist: The only reason a pharmacist isn’t listed under the non-negotiables is that not all PWD require prescription medications to manage. If you do, however, a pharmacist will be a non-negotiable member of your care team while you’re on those prescription medications. It’s always helpful to have a local pharmacist, even if you prefer to get your medications and supplies through a mail-order pharmacy. This person knows your medical background, can walk you through new medications and can keep an eye on your refills. The pharmacy is also the place where you’re most likely to run into surprise cost issues, an unfortunate part of living with diabetes in many countries, but particularly the United States because of insurance coverage or lack thereof and the high expense of diabetes drugs. Having a pharmacist you know can help lower your stress and make these situations more manageable. If you’re having trouble with insulin costs, visit GetInsulin.org to build an access plan that works for you.

Find and lean on the diabetes community

It is often said that the diabetes club is one you never want to join, but is one you can’t imagine living without once you’re a part of it—yes, there are some pretty awesome folks living with diabetes everywhere! And you can chat with them.

Here are some gentle ways to dive in:

• Join our community apps: Find a community of people living with T1D or T2D through Beyond Type 1 and Beyond Type 2. In-person community meetups are often posted on each community platform.
  
• Find your people on social media: You can also find community online by following Beyond Type 1 and Beyond Type 2 on Instagram or joining #DiabeTok on TikTok—a broad hashtag to connect with others experiencing the same things you are.

You can participate as much or as little as you want. These paths are always open to you so long as you have access to the equipment to participate! You don’t need to do diabetes alone, and even if you tend to be independent, never underestimate the power of building a bond with someone who listens and understands what you’re going through.

Accepting a new diabetes diagnosis can be hard. But with the right resources and support, we promise that you can thrive beyond your diagnosis. Download our Beyond Diagnosis Guides to get started.