San Diego diabetes care and treatment

There are two simple ways to find the right doctor for you: 

• Search online with our quick, easy-to-use Find a Doctor tool. 

• Call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, to speak with one of our specially trained physician referral specialists. They know our doctors and can help you find the perfect fit.

In some cases, you will need a referral from your primary care doctor.  

Some medical groups offer direct access to certain types of specialists. And some health plans, such as PPOs, offer direct access to all specialists. Contact your health plan's member services department to confirm your coverage. 

If you are an existing patient with a Sharp-affiliated endocrinologist (meaning you have seen your doctor at least once), simply call the doctor’s office to make an appointment.

Sharp accepts almost all health insurance plans, including Medicare, Medi-Cal and most managed care and private insurance plans.  

Be sure to check with your insurance company to verify specific coverage. Insurance companies frequently add new plans, and update provider networks and covered services under existing plans.

Prediabetes is defined by having blood glucose values — determined through a hemoglobin A1C test, which measures a 3-month average of blood glucose levels — above 5.6%, but lower than the threshold for diabetes, which is 6.5%. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), risk factors for prediabetes include: 

• Being overweight 

• Being 45 years or older 

• Having a parent or sibling with Type 2 diabetes 

• Being physically active less than three times a week 

• Having a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) 

• Giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds 

• Having polycystic ovary syndrome 

Healthier nutrition, exercise, quitting smoking and weight loss have been shown to be the most effective approach to treat prediabetes and prevent diabetes. However, for those struggling with these goals or who experience a rise in their blood glucose, the drug metformin is also an option.

Type 1 diabetes — commonly referred to as Type 1 — occurs because the body’s immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin. Type 1 occurs in children, adolescents and young adults, usually before age 30. 

While a family history of Type 1 may contribute to a predisposition to the disease, the risk factors for Type 1 are still being defined. 

Type 2 diabetes occurs in patients who inherit a metabolic imbalance, including resistance to the effect of insulin to allow blood glucose to enter cells. Typically, this type of diabetes is diagnosed in patients over the age of 45. Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include: 

• Having prediabetes 

• Being overweight or obese 

• Being age 45 or older 

• Consuming a high-fat and high-calorie diet 

• Having a low level of good cholesterol 

• Having a sedentary lifestyle 

• Having a family history of diabetes 

• Being African American, Hispanic/Latino American or Asian American

The most common treatment for Type 1 diabetes involves frequent measurement of one’s glucose levels, often with a continuous glucose monitor, and insulin administered through a pump. 

When it comes to Type 2, the first step is a focus on nutrition and exercise, but often the oral medication metformin, which lowers blood sugar levels by improving the way the body handles insulin, is required.