# Less TD1 endocrinologist than type 2

**URL:** <https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/less-td1-endocrinologist-than-type-2/72828>\
**Category:** Healthcare & Insurance Issue Support\
**Created:** [March 5, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/less-td1-endocrinologist-than-type-2/72828 "2023-03-05T16:03:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eroig13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@eroig13](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/eroig13)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/less-td1-endocrinologist-than-type-2/72828/1 "2023-03-05T16:03:46Z")

</div>

I have lived and Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Miami and found out that’s true what a senior endocrinologist in Atlanta mentioned. She mentioned that few new graduated doctors are specializing in Diabetes type 1 because how complicated and time consuming treatment is. I imagine they make less $$. Two very good doctors that my family knows have switched to thyroid and type 2.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wadawabbit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/wadawabbit/32/3890_2.png) [@wadawabbit](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/wadawabbit)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 7:22pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/less-td1-endocrinologist-than-type-2/72828/2 "2023-03-05T19:22:31Z")

</div>

Sometimes on the forum you see recommendations about “being your own doctor” - here’s a good reason to follow that advice. Still, it can be helpful to get a second opinion now and then.  
I know a couple of women who are Nurse Practitioners specializing in diabetes care - I wonder how much of a gap might be filled by those titles🤔?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![6yGodsGr](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/6ygodsgr/32/4636_2.png) [@6yGodsGr](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/6yGodsGr)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/less-td1-endocrinologist-than-type-2/72828/3 "2023-03-05T21:35:05Z")

</div>

I have an endocrinologist but Ive only met her once. I only see my nurse practitioner (she’s awesome). She prescribes all of my insulin and supplies, and makes all my management decisions. I think (don’t quote me on this) most diabetics at my clinic see nurse practitioners.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eroig13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@eroig13](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/eroig13)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2023, 11:04pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/less-td1-endocrinologist-than-type-2/72828/4 "2023-03-05T23:04:08Z")

</div>

Same for me. My prior nurse practitioner did everything including prescription etc; however, there’s a reason why physicians have to follow a rigorous study before they become doctors then complete the specialty. As a teenager my head endocrinologist used to see me with some doctor working on their specialty or getting experience on it. Final say was always the endocrinologist. I think it’s a matter of $ and patients are getting the short stick. A nurse practitioner is never the same as a physician. That’s my opinion anyway.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wadawabbit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.breakthrought1d.org/wadawabbit/32/3890_2.png) [@wadawabbit](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/wadawabbit)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/less-td1-endocrinologist-than-type-2/72828/5 "2023-03-06T13:28:42Z")

</div>

I’ve always wondered where the cutoff was between a nurse practitioner and a medical doctor. Of course I know there is one but I wonder what the MD can do medically speaking that the NP cannot within their area of specialty.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![schnauzer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@schnauzer1](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/u/schnauzer1)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 4:53am UTC](https://forum.breakthrought1d.org/t/less-td1-endocrinologist-than-type-2/72828/6 "2023-03-09T04:53:58Z")

</div>

I suddenly developed diabetes at age 70. (A month after a physical at which my glucose was just slightly high, I was admitted to the ICU with glucose over 1000.) My doctors assumed it was Type 2. After 6 months of not being able to get my glucose balanced, they sent me to an endocrinologist who immediately concluded that I was likely Type 1, tested me, and determined I was in fact Type 1.

Since then, the HMO gave me a pump and CGM. I see the endocrinologist about twice a year to keep an eye on my glucose levels, give me advice about what may be causing me to go out of range,etc. I deal with a nurse concerning supplies and routine matters. The arrangement seems to work well.

At Kaiser, the HMO to which I belong, it appears that Internal Medicine doctors care for the Type 2s, and send them to an endocrinologist only if there is a problem the Internal Medicine doctor does not feel comfortable handling.

In any event, I seem to be getting excellent care.
