Looking for physician recommendations in Central Florida

Diabetes Advocacy Self Advocacy
1

Hello,

I'm looking for recommendations for physicians who are familiar with LADA / Type 1.5 diabetes. I'm in the Lakeland area (between Orlando and Tampa on I-4), but am willing to travel quite a ways in FL to see someone who is really good. (Sarasota, Jacksonville, Ocala...anywhere!)

I guess I am technically "pre-diabetes", but feel I am getting wobblier and wobblier...

My Background
I haven't yet been diagnosed as "diabetic" by any physician, but my primary care doctor has been monitoring my A1C for several years. I also had a GAD test run in March of this year (results = 12.8).

That test was run because I have two other autoimmune conditions and talked my primary care doc into running at least one antibody test to see if I had type 1 diabetes (or LADA / 1.5...still learning).

I test my blood sugar levels in the morning at this point. For a long while, I was averaging somewhere between 75-100. As of late, they are creeping up in to the 120's and today the 130's.

My Goal
I would like to see a physician who is familiar with LADA / Type 1.5, and who could run all the appropriate tests to see where I "am" and whether treatment is recommended. I'd rather not wait until things get really bad before seeking a diagnosis and treatment.

It's a bit overwhelming knowing who to go to. My primary doctor has been pressuring me to start Metformin for a few years now.

It's challenging to find a competent doctor who is willing to look at the whole picture proactively. I hope to find some good recommendations here!

I'm loving the TuDiabetes community already...

2

Yup...I'm replying to my own post. :)

I guess I'm trying to figure out where to start...and with whom...

3

You could ask the Florida Group

http://www.tudiabetes.org/group/flausa

and I think this blog from Melitta tells you all the tests to request

http://www.tudiabetes.org/profiles/blogs/melitta-s-top-ten-tips-for-the-newly-diagnosed-person-with-adult

I think of her as our resident expert on LADA

4

Hi Marie,

Thank you so very much for your prompt response and for those links!

I did post to the Florida group and hope to hear from someone there.

And wow...yes! Melitta's posts are absolutely fantastic. I feel better equipped already. I can see why you consider her to be your resident expert on LADA.

This is quite a lot to take in, so I appreciate all the assistance I can get.

~ Christina

5

I live in Port St. Lucie which is about an hour or so southeast of you on the east coast. I see a really great Endo who seems to really know what he’s doing. If you’d like you can private message me and I can give you all of his info. Wouldn’t hurt to call and talk to the staff and see if he’s the Doctor for you.

6

Hi Vinnie,

Thank you so much for your response to my post.

One hour doesn't seem too far to drive for someone good.

I have some names of docs to check out and will message you to add this doc to the list. I agree that it doesn't hurt...

Again, many thanks! :)