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Question: From Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: My son had been seeing an endocrinologist, but that doctor has left his practice. He recommended a pediatrician that specializes in diabetes who says she is a diabetologist. I am a little unsure what this type of doctor is. From what I gather, there is no formal training required or certification. Is this a common practice? I would be most comfortable having my son seen with an endocrinologist. What is your opinion? Answer: The answer to your question is probably straightforward. An "endocrinologist" is a physician (MD or DO) who specializes in hormonal/metabolic conditions that primarily relate to the endocrine glandular system. Diabetes is such a condition. So, "all" endocrinologists have been trained in the management of diabetes mellitus. A "diabetologist" is an INFORMAL designation for such a sub-specialty endocrinology caregiver who might LIMIT their practice to diabetes only (or primarily) rather than also to include general endocrine conditions. [Similarly, some endocrinologists may limit their practice to mostly thyroid conditions ("thyroidologists") or might exclude diabetes, for example.] Ideally, you want your sub-specialty care in endocrinology/diabetes to be performed by someone who is "Board-trained" (which means Board certified or eligible by the American Board of Medicine or Pediatrics). So, I presume that your former endocrinologist was actually a pediatric endocrinologist, but this could have been an adult internist with endocrinology training - but not necessarily nuanced or certified in pediatric endocrinology. If that doctor has left the practice and now recommends that your child follow up with a pediatric "diabetologist," then what is meant is a pediatric endocrinologist. Any confusion I might have is why perhaps your child with diabetes was not seen by a pediatric endocrinologist/diabetologist in the first place. Nevertheless, why is it that the doctor that is leaving is not referring you to an associate? There are world-class pediatric endocrinologists in Indianapolis at Riley Children's Hospital and IU-PUI. DS DTQ-20100512163420 Original posting 7 Jun 2010 Posted to Other

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			Jump to a new section --[ Getting Around ]-- Home Page What's New Privacy Policy Search --[ People ]-- Family Support Network Adults with Diabetes Care Photos Chat Rooms Conferences Kids with Diabetes Parents Parent Humor Scholarships and Financial Aid Grandparents Humorous Tidbits Jobs Mailing Lists CWD Forums Poetry and Art Videos Polls Quilt for Life Surveys Blogs --[ Clinic ]-- Ask the Diabetes Team Alternate Site Testing Alternative Treatments Care Suggestions CWD Español Diabetes Basics Diabetes at School 504 Plans Diabetes Camps Diabetes Dictionary Insulin Pumps Nutrition Podcasts Presentations Products Product Marketplace Sports Studies Warning Signs --[ Sources ]-- News and Information Diabetes Advocacy Links to Other Web Sites Press Releases Regional Information Services Support Groups --[ Feedback ]-- About CWD Advertise Awards Contribute Your Experiences Disclaimer Letters to the Editor Logos and Linking Share our Brochures

Last Updated: Monday June 07, 2010 10:58:43
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