Diabetes Reversal Program

Who is a diabetologist?

A diabetologist is a diabetes specialist doctor. These are doctors who have studied and practiced in the specialized area of the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus . Diabetologists are adept at helping their patients manage all the symptoms of diabetes and they are experts at diagnosing the condition. They are trained to work with people of all age groups – children and the older population. Diabetes and the different complications that may arise as a result of it would also be taken care of by these specialists. High blood pressure, weight gain, etc are something that the doctor would be able to help you with. Post their MBBS, these doctors would require an MD (usually in medicine) and/or a PG diploma in Diabetology to be thoroughly specialized in treating this complicated condition. Before visiting a doctor, making sure to check their credentials and qualifications is a good practice.

When do I need to see a diabetologist?

Visit a doctor who will help in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes when you:

• Are feeling like you are experiencing the symptoms that could indicate the presence of this condition
• Have been diagnosed with prediabetes
• Have been diagnosed with any kind of diabetes and are looking for a diabetes specialist doctor to help you with the symptoms
• Have been diagnosed with diabetes and need regular follow ups

It is vital to be aware of this condition and deal with it at the earliest before it becomes chronic. Early diagnosis or preventative measures can ensure an overall healthy lifestyle with minimal restrictions. Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes can get challenging to deal with, however, that is what these doctors are there to help you manage. Visiting the doctor and getting the tests done at the first signs of trouble would be ideal.

Are diabetologists and dieticians the same?

No, there is a stark difference in the qualifications and the area of treatment of a diabetologist and a dietician. Diabetologists have completed their MD in medicine and would have then gone on to a specialized degree in diabetology (PG Diploma). Their prime focus of treatment would be people diagnosed with diabetes or showing those symptoms. They would help their patients with doses of insulin to treat their high blood sugar levels.

A dietician, however, need not require an MBBS degree. They may not always be doctors but are allied healthcare professionals that can help with setting and planning a proper diet and nutrition chart. A master’s course would be the minimum requirement. Dieticians deal with all kinds of issues like – obesity, diabetes diet, thyroid, PCOS-related, workout regime diets, etc. Any food and nutrition-related queries can be solved by these specialists.

Should I go to a diabetologist for weight loss?

A diabetes doctor can be visited to help deal with weight loss in case the weight (gain) is associated with or linked to the diagnosis of diabetes. In other words, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, and you aim to control your weight or lose some weight, the doctor you visit for your diabetes would be able to help you with it. They will also be able to guide you through the dose of insulin required in case of weight loss or gain. They can also educate you about the role that insulin plays in weight and fat gain. However, it is always recommended to also visit your dietician or nutritionist for weight loss along with a fitness trainer. An integrated approach using the help of different professionals would work best in the case of diabetes.

Can a diabetologist treat diabetes insipidus?

When a person studies and completes their MD in Medicine, they can opt for higher studies and finish a PG diploma course in diabetology. Studying this field of medicine would involve the studies of diabetes and its effects. This is primarily inclusive of diabetes mellitus and all the other aspects that can be associated with this condition. However, the studies also include diabetes in all its forms. Along with the proper diagnosis, a diabetes doctor would have also learned the treatment methods for other conditions like diabetes insipidus, type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and even gestational diabetes .

Since diabetes insipidus does not have anything to do with the pancreas and insulin as a hormone, they might also require treatment from a nephrologist since it has a lot to do with kidneys and electrolyte imbalance in the body. The sugar levels are not affected in this condition.

Does a diabetologist have physician training?

Yes, to become any kind of doctor, a basic MBBS degree is necessary for everyone. In these 5 (and a half) years of training to become an MBBS doctor, each individual would also receive physician training. This means that before completing the MD medicine course, the doctor would be able to practice as a physician. Additionally, with the MD in Medicine degree, these principles and learning would become even stronger. To become an endocrinologist, the degree would differ and it would be a DM specialization. Even these doctors have general physician training. In other words, any doctor, including a diabetes specialist doctor, would have physician training.

How can one be a diabetologist?

Becoming a doctor is a nuanced degree and requires years of training. Due to the plethora of specializations associated with becoming a doctor, there are many courses and additional years of study that one would have to engage in to reach their final goals. To become a doctor for diabetes, the study would have to be super specific, and technical knowledge would be essential in all the aspects of this condition. Firstly, an MBBS degree would be a must in any relevant discipline after clearing the NEET exam. This must be done from a college that is approved by the Medical Council of India. After the degree is complete, clear the NEET PG exam to enter into a college for a degree in MD (Medicine) This is a 3-year course. A NEET super specialty or a PG Diploma course can then be done to become a diabetologist.

Is an endocrinologist the same as a diabetologist?

There is a difference between an endocrinologist and a diabetologist. The latter is specific to dealing with – the diagnosis and treatment of people with diabetes. Essentially, these doctors practice a very specific kind of medicine that involves issues related to all types of diabetes . An MD degree in general medicine and a PG diploma in diabetology would get you to become a specialist.

Endocrinologists, however, deal with an umbrella of issues that come under the purview of the endocrine gland and system. These might also include diabetes and the complications associated with diabetes like thyroid. The qualifications would include a DM in Endocrinology. The complete education would involve the MBBS course and then their PG (added) course in the specialization. They also work in hospitals or clinical set-ups to gain more knowledge and hands-on practice. A person with diabetes can visit an endocrinologist for their symptoms.

Can a diabetologist treat complications of diabetes?

Diabetes is a nuanced disorder. It can affect not only the pancreas but also other different organs of the body like the liver, kidneys, heart, eyes, feet, etc. An endocrinology doctor who has studied all these different parts or a specialized doctor who deals with people with diabetes can be consulted for the same. Therefore, a doctor who has studied diabetology after their MD in Medicine will be adept at dealing with the complications associated with diabetes.

The syllabus is vast and they teach the doctors everything from the etiology of the condition to all the possible complications and the organs in the body that could be affected as a consequence of diabetes. Not only the bigger and major organs but recognized institutes and medical colleges would also ensure to complete the training holistically by including the lesser-known but equally prominent complications like – skin issues, muscle-related, sexual problems, etc.

Does a diabetologist prescribe diet changes too with medicines for diabetes?

Since a doctor for diabetes is aware of the different ways in which the body of a person with diabetes works, they would be educated enough to help the patients out with the broad aspects of food and nutrition. However, their practice is largely based on providing the right kind of insulin dose and guidance to maintain proper and healthy blood sugar levels . Even though they are aware of food and nutrition and how a particular patient’s body might respond to certain foods based on the diagnosis, their study on the overall diet and food sciences would not be enough. It would, therefore, be vital to include and consult a dietician in the diabetes treatment and management plan – especially regarding the dietary aspects. They would be a better guide in terms of what to eat and what to avoid and could teach you intricate things like carb counting as well.