Diabetes Doctors in Charlotte
Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes often start with few or no symptoms, so your lab numbers matter. Our primary care providers in Charlotte treat diabetes every day: we check your A1C and other labs, recommend appropriate treatment, and review progress toward your individual goals. If readings are newly out of control without emergency symptoms, seek prompt assessment at either clinic during open hours rather than waiting for a routine appointment. Confusion, trouble breathing, persistent vomiting, passing out or a seizure can be an emergency: call 911, not a routine clinic visit.
- ✓ Most type 2 diabetes is treated by a primary care provider
- ✓ A1C and other labs drawn in the clinic
- ✓ Medicines, including GLP-1 options, adjusted at follow-ups
- ✓ Newly out of control without emergency symptoms? Prompt walk-in assessment during open hours
- ✓ Two Charlotte clinics, open 7 days a week
- ✓ Referral to an endocrinologist, eye doctor or other specialist when you need one
Apply online, and we call you within 1 to 2 business days to book your first visit at Steele Creek. Blood sugar out of control today without emergency symptoms? Walk in during open hours. Severe symptoms need emergency care; call 911.
On this page
What your numbers meanSymptoms and riskWhy treat itWhen to come inHow we treat itPrediabetesBecome a patientInsuranceOur clinics
What your diabetes numbers mean
Diabetes is found with blood tests. The A1C shows your average blood sugar over about 3 months. Fasting blood sugar is checked after at least 8 hours without food or drink, except water. The ranges below are from the American Diabetes Association.
| Test | Normal | Prediabetes | Diabetes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1C | Less than 5.7% | 5.7% to 6.4% | 6.5% or higher |
| Fasting blood sugar | Less than 100 mg/dL | 100 to 125 mg/dL | 126 mg/dL or higher |
| 2-hour glucose tolerance test | Less than 140 mg/dL | 140 to 199 mg/dL | 200 mg/dL or higher |
| Random blood sugar, with classic symptoms of high blood sugar | — | — | 200 mg/dL or higher |
Source: American Diabetes Association, Diagnosis
Diagnosis usually needs confirmation with another abnormal laboratory result, which may be a repeat test or a different diagnostic test. Classic symptoms with a random plasma glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher, or a hyperglycemic crisis, can allow diagnosis without repeat testing. Home meter readings alone do not establish the diagnosis. Your provider explains your results and what comes next.
Symptoms and who is at risk
Type 2 diabetes often develops slowly, and many people have few or no symptoms at first. Common symptoms include:
- Peeing often
- Feeling more thirsty and hungry
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling tired
- Feeling irritable or moody
- Blurry vision
- Frequent urinary tract infections or yeast infections
- Cuts or sores that heal slowly
- Dark patches of skin around the neck, armpits or groin
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Source: CDC, Diabetes Symptoms
Your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes is higher if you have:
- Overweight or obesity
- Age 45 or older
- A parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
- Physically active less than 3 times a week
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Gestational diabetes in the past, or a baby who weighed over 9 pounds at birth
- African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, and some Pacific Islander and Asian American people
Source: CDC, Diabetes Risk Factors
Have symptoms or risk factors? Ask about an A1C test. Our annual physicals include a review of which screening tests are appropriate for you.
Why treat diabetes, even if you feel fine
Diabetes often doesn’t hurt at first. Over time, high blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves throughout your body. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes that isn’t controlled can lead to:
- Heart disease: the leading cause of death in people with diabetes
- Stroke: about twice as likely as in people without diabetes
- Kidney disease: diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease
- Vision loss: diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness in working-age adults
- Nerve damage: affects about half of people with diabetes
- Foot problems: nerve damage and poor circulation can lead to losing a toe, foot or leg
Source: American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Complications
The good news: keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol in range with regular follow-ups helps protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and feet.
When to come in
- Symptoms of diabetes, or an A1C of 5.7% or higher: see a provider. Apply to be a patient, or walk in for a visit.
- Your diabetes was controlled and now it isn’t: seek prompt assessment during open hours rather than waiting for your next routine appointment. Use emergency care for severe symptoms below.
- Low blood sugar, below 70 mg/dL: if you are awake and can swallow safely, take 15 grams of fast-acting carbs, wait 15 minutes and recheck. Repeat if still below 70, then eat a snack or meal once recovered. Contact a clinician about the episode. Do not drive while low. If you cannot swallow safely, are passing out, confused or having a seizure, call 911; do not give food or drink by mouth.
- Symptoms of severe high or low blood sugar, or anything that seems life-threatening: call 911.
Source: CDC, Treatment of Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
- Symptoms of severe high blood sugar, such as confusion, trouble breathing, or vomiting that won’t stop
- Symptoms of severe low blood sugar, such as passing out, a seizure, or not being able to eat or drink safely
- Severe confusion or trouble staying awake
- Anything that seems life-threatening
Pregnant? Gestational diabetes and diabetes in pregnancy need your OB. Contact your OB promptly about high blood sugar; severe or life-threatening symptoms need emergency care.
How your diabetes doctor treats type 2 diabetes
| Step | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Your labs | In the clinic, we can measure fingerstick blood sugar and check urine glucose, often during your visit. Urine glucose does not replace blood tests for diagnosis or a urine albumin test for kidney screening. Your A1C, which shows your average blood sugar over about 3 months, is sent to the lab with a CMP that includes markers used to assess kidney and liver health, plus cholesterol and other labs. Labs are drawn in the clinic and sent to Quest, some routine results may return by the next morning, but timing varies by test and processing, and our staff calls you about next steps. |
| Lifestyle | Practical changes that lower blood sugar: food choices, more activity, weight loss if needed and better sleep. |
| Medicine | If you need medicine, your provider picks one that fits your health and your other medicines, including GLP-1 options when they fit. If weight is part of the picture, see our medical weight loss program. |
| Follow-ups | More often while we adjust your medicine, then every few months once your numbers are steady. Either clinic works. |
| Your heart, kidneys, eyes and feet | Diabetes raises your risk of heart, kidney, eye and nerve problems. We watch your blood pressure and cholesterol, check your kidneys with labs, and refer you to an eye doctor for regular eye exams. |
| Specialists | If your blood sugar stays high on several medicines, or your diabetes needs care beyond primary care, we’re happy to find you higher-level care with an endocrinologist or another specialist. |
Sources: MedlinePlus, A1C test, MedlinePlus, CMP and CDC, Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease
Diabetes often comes with high blood pressure or high cholesterol. We manage them together in one office. See all the chronic conditions we manage.
Bring to your visit: your medication names and doses, glucose readings or meter, recent lab results, relevant specialist records, and your questions. Ask whether any ordered tests require fasting; an A1C alone does not require fasting. Do not stop or change medicines on your own.
Prediabetes: catch it early
Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet diabetes, such as an A1C of 5.7% to 6.4%. It usually has no symptoms. Lifestyle changes such as losing weight and being more active can help keep it from turning into type 2 diabetes, and your provider rechecks your labs to see how you’re doing.
Become a patient for diabetes care
Apply online, and our team calls you within 1 to 2 business days. Your first visit is an annual physical at our Steele Creek clinic, where your provider reviews your history, medicines and labs. After that, follow-ups can be at either clinic, and you can seek prompt walk-in assessment during open hours for loss of control without emergency symptoms. Severe symptoms need emergency care rather than waiting for enrollment or a routine visit.
Our primary care is for adults. Children with diabetes should see a pediatrician or pediatric diabetes specialist.
Insurance
- Copay: your plan’s amount is due at your visit when applicable.
- Coinsurance: your share depends on your plan and the services provided; an estimate may be collected at the visit.
- Deductible: if you still owe part of your deductible, we bill your insurance first, then bill any patient responsibility determined by your plan.
Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and TRICARE East. We don’t take HMO plans tied to one doctor or hospital system.
Medicare: Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans.
Check with your insurance plan about your coverage, including for diabetes medicines. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Our clinics in Charlotte
| Clinic | What’s here |
|---|---|
| Steele Creek | 2114 Freeman Park Dr, Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28273. (980) 880-5588. First visits (annual physicals), follow-ups, walk-ins. |
| Plaza Midwood | 2017 Central Ave, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28205. (704) 731-8656. Follow-ups and walk-ins. |
| Hours (both) | Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm |
Apply to be a patientCome in today
Sources
- American Diabetes Association: Diagnosis
- CDC: Diabetes Symptoms
- CDC: Diabetes Risk Factors
- CDC: Treatment of Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Complications
- MedlinePlus: Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) Test
- MedlinePlus: Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- MedlinePlus: Glucose in Urine Test
- CDC: Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Only a medical professional can diagnose diabetes.
Related care
Chronic careHigh blood pressurePrimary careLab workAnnual physicals
Updated
Related care: High cholesterol treatment and follow-ups.
Related care: Gout flare treatment and ongoing gout care.
