What is Type 2 Diabetes?

  • A condition that affects your body's ability to handle glucose, a sugar in your blood.
  • Your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin, which puts glucose into cells for energy.
  • People with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance- meaning they make insulin, but their cells don't use it well.
  • Eventually your pancreas can't keep up, and glucose builds up in your blood leading to type 2 diabetes.

What is Pre-diabetes?

  • A condition where you have a higher than normal amount of sugar in your blood, but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes.
  • Overtime, individuals with pre-diabetes can be at risk for type 2 diabetes.
  • With lifestyle changes, improving your diet and being active, pre-diabetes may not progress to type 2 diabetes

How do you diagnosis Pre-diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes?

  • Blood tests can be used
  • Either a fasting blood glucose level and/or a hemoglobin A1c level can be used in combination with clinical signs and symptoms.
  • A hemoglobin A1c level is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months
Hemoglobin A1C level     Fasting blood glucose level
 < 5.7%  Normal  < 100 mg/dL
 5.7-6.4%  Pre-diabetes  100-125 mg/dL
 ≥6.5%  Type 2 diabetes  ≥ 126 mg/dL

What are the Pre-diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Comprehensive Care Clinic?

These are multi-disciplinary clinics that brings together experts that care for adolescents with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Our goals are to provide an integrated approach to treating these conditions and potential complications. As part of every visit, we review your medical & family history, conduct a physical exam, discuss your diagnosis and treatment options, set nutrition and exercise goals, and screen and treat you for other conditions. Other conditions that are common in type 2 diabetes include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, kidney problems, menstrual irregularities in females and sleep apnea. We will also screen for these conditions at your visit.

What doctors specialize in this area?

What other healthcare providers might I see in clinic?

  • Stavra Xanthakos MD, pediatric gastroenterologist who can evaluate patients for fatty liver disease and other gastroenterology concerns
  • Sanita Ley PhD, a pediatric psychologist
  • Michael Helmrath MD, pediatric surgeon who can discuss if Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery is the right option for you
  • Linda Kollar MSN, APRN, CNP, Nurse Practitioner & Bariatric Program Clinical Director
  • Amy Poetker, RD, CDE, Diabetes Dietician and certified diabetes educator
  • Susan Sewell, RD, CDE, Diabetes Dietician and certified diabetes educator
  • Rebekah Moorhead, exercise physiologist
  • Our Research Team (Jenni Sizemore RA III, Allen Reigler RA II, Nisha Krishnan RA II)

Healthy Lifestyle Resources

Treatment for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes includes choosing healthy foods and getting regular exercise. We are here to support children and their families to live a healthy lifestyle. Explore our healthy weight resources:

How do I prepare for my visit?

  • Please arrive 15 minute before your appointment
  • Bring your glucose meter if you have one
  • Bring a list of your medications, the doses and let us know if you need refills
  • Bring your questions

Who can I contact with questions about this clinic, to schedule an appointment, or with questions about my medications?

The Diabetes Center 513-636-2444.

Email: type2clinic@cchmc.org

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