Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there is a high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is usually managed by a primary care doctor. This doctor helps with routine medical care, including checkups, physical exams, lab tests, and prescriptions. Some people living with type 2 diabetes might also see an endocrinologist, which is a specialist who treats conditions related to hormones. A care team for diabetes can also include dietitians, who help with healthy eating, and diabetes educators, who teach how to manage the condition. Sometimes, a foot doctor, eye doctor, or dentist are involved because diabetes can affect the feet, eyes, teeth, and gums.  

People with type 2 diabetes should usually see their doctor every 3 to 6 months. These visits are important to track blood sugar levels, adjust medications if needed, and check for any complications like nerve damage or heart problems. If the person’s blood sugar is not well controlled or if they have other health issues, the doctor might recommend more frequent visits. Regular check-ups help prevent serious problems and keep the condition under control. 

Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include: 

• Feeling very thirsty 

• Needing to urinate a lot 

• Feeling very tired 

• Having blurry vision 

• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet 

• Cuts and wounds take longer to heal 

Some people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages. That’s why regular screening is important, especially for people at higher risk. 

Doctors diagnose type 2 diabetes with blood tests. The most common test is the A1C, which measures a person’s average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. An A1C of 6.5% or higher means the person has diabetes. Other tests include the fasting blood sugar test, which checks sugar levels after not eating for 8 hours, and the oral glucose tolerance test, which measures how the body handles sugar after drinking a special sugary drink. If the results show high blood sugar, a doctor may diagnose type 2 diabetes. For people without diabetes, a safe blood sugar level is usually between 70 and 99 mg/dL before eating and under 140 mg/dL after meals. 

Type 2 diabetes is usually treated by making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Some people might also need medication to help control their blood sugar. This can include pills or insulin shots. Regular monitoring of blood sugar is important to make sure the treatment is working. Managing diabetes can also help prevent complications, like heart disease, kidney problems, and nerve damage.  

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find a Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor near New York, NY
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor near Los Angeles, CA
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor near Chicago, IL
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor near Houston, TX
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor near Phoenix, AZ
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor near Philadelphia, PA
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor near Atlanta, GA
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor near Boston, MA
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor near Dallas, TX
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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