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Type 2 diabetes mellitus

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If you meet these criteria, you may want to schedule a visit ⚠

Scheduled in-office and remote visits are billed to you or your insurance; copays and deductibles may apply. Available where One Medical has offices.
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You’re over the age of 18
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You've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the past
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You're experiencing diabetes symptoms like feeling very thirsty, urinating often, etc.
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What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition that affects the way the body uses insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas that’s responsible for letting sugar (glucose) from the blood into the body’s cells. When insulin doesn’t work properly, glucose builds up in the blood and can’t reach the cells that need it for fuel.

An overview of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes that’s mild or well-controlled may cause no symptoms. A blood test is the only reliable way to know if your blood sugar is too high. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to other complications like heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye damage. By combining medical treatment and lifestyle behaviors, you can get your blood sugar back to normal and reduce your risk for complications. Your provider will partner with you to determine which (if any) diabetes treatment is ideal for you based on your symptoms, lab test results, and health history.
When blood sugar levels are very high, symptoms might include:
• Feeling more thirsty than usual
• Urinating (peeing) often
• Feeling very hungry
• Losing weight without trying
• Blurry vision

Related conditions that One Medical treats

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High blood pressure (Hypertension)

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High cholesterol

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Frequently asked questions

Where are scheduled visits available?
In-Office Visits are scheduled appointments with the provider of your choice. One Medical members can easily book In-Office Visits at any of our One Medical offices, in:
Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Cape Cod, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Connecticut, D.C Metro Area (DMV), Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami -Ft. Lauderdale, Milwaukee (coming soon), New Jersey (coming soon), New York, Orange County, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, Seattle-Tacoma, SF Bay Area, Triad, Tucson. More location details.

Remote Visits are scheduled, virtual appointments with the provider of your choice and are available in US states where One Medical offices are located.

In-Office and Remote Visits are not included in the membership and are billed to you/your insurance; copays and deductibles may apply.
Will I need to take insulin if I have type 2 diabetes?
Insulin is sometimes prescribed for type 2 diabetes, but it isn’t a go-to treatment in most cases. There are many types of medication available to treat type 2 diabetes, including options that are easier to use and cause fewer side effects than insulin. Your provider may recommend starting insulin if your blood sugar is very high when you’re diagnosed or if other medications and lifestyle changes aren’t controlling your blood sugar well enough.
Will I need a prescription?
A provider will determine if you need prescription medication to treat your conditions and/or symptoms. If your care plan includes a prescription, you'll be asked to select a pharmacy. You can send it to your preferred pharmacy or select Amazon Pharmacy to get your medications delivered right to your door.
Can exercise help with type 2 diabetes?
Regular physical activity is an important part of living with diabetes and helps to lower blood sugar. Physical activity has other benefits, too - it can help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, improve sleep, and improve memory and mood. The goal is simply to get exercise as many days per week as possible, in whatever way best fits with your interests and lifestyle right now. If you haven’t been active in a while, start slow and talk with your provider about the best way to safely increase your physical activity.
If I have to take medication for type 2 diabetes, will I need to take it forever?
In most cases, it’s important to take diabetes medications long-term in order to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range and prevent complications from diabetes. However, it may be possible to work with your provider to reduce or stop certain medications if you’ve changed your diet or lifestyle and your blood sugar stays below your goal level over time.
What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?
A number of factors could increase a person’s risk for type 2 diabetes. Some of these risk factors are within a person’s control to change, while others aren’t. Examples of diabetes risk factors that a person can’t directly change include:
• Having close relatives with type 2 diabetes
• Increasing age, especially age over 45
• Having diabetes during a past pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• Having polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Examples of risk factors that can be changed include:
• Physical inactivity
• Body weight
• Blood pressure
• Smoking
Will I need to check my blood sugar at home if I have type 2 diabetes?
It depends. Blood glucose self-monitoring (BGSM), including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), can be helpful in understanding how your diet, lifestyle, and medications affect your blood sugar levels day-to-day, but whether and how to use BGSM as part of your diabetes treatment plan should be a shared decision between you and your provider. Factors like your medications, how motivated you feel to monitor your blood sugar at home, how well you already understand the ways diet and lifestyle affect your blood sugar, and cost may all come into play when making decisions about BGSM.
What can happen if blood sugar levels are too high for a long time?
Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause damage to the body’s blood vessels, leading to a variety of problems. Damage to large blood vessels can cause emergencies like heart attack and stroke. Damage to smaller blood vessels can cause gradual injury to the eye (retinopathy), kidneys (nephropathy), and nerves (neuropathy). If untreated, these problems can progress to blindness, kidney failure, and severe nerve damage.
Will I need to see a specialist for type 2 diabetes?
Primary care providers are experienced in treating type 2 diabetes, and most people won’t need to see a diabetes specialist (endocrinologist) for diabetes care. On the other hand, a primary care provider might recommend seeing a specialist in certain situations - for example, if medications aren’t working as well as expected. In addition, a primary care provider may recommend seeing a specialist for certain aspects of diabetes care - like seeing an eye specialist for annual eye exams.
What diet is best for type 2 diabetes?
A nutritious, balanced diet is a key part of managing diabetes, but it’s important to know that a diagnosis of diabetes doesn’t mean you have to follow one specific eating plan or turn your current food practices upside down. Eat regular, balanced meals and snacks that include foods from a variety of food groups, including: lean proteins, legumes, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and healthy fats. Reducing added sugars and processed foods in your diet will also help to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
Maintaining a healthy diet that works with your lifestyle and preferences can sometimes be challenging, and your provider can refer you to a dietitian or diabetes educator for additional support if you need it.
Does diabetes always cause symptoms?
A person can have diabetes without noticing symptoms, though it’s common to have some symptoms if blood sugar levels are very high. To diagnose diabetes in a person who has no symptoms, a healthcare provider may recommend checking more than one type of blood test or checking the same blood test on multiple days to be sure that the results are reliable.
What other care or treatments might I need if I have type 2 diabetes?
Comprehensive diabetes care involves more than managing blood sugar levels. Because diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, your provider will work with you to manage any other conditions you have that also increase your risk, like high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Because diabetes can weaken the immune system, your provider will also help you stay up-to-date with vaccinations. Your provider will help you stay on track with dental care, eye exams, foot exams, and more. If living with diabetes is affecting your mental health, your provider can help you explore options for supporting your mental health, too.
I’m feeling overwhelmed. How can I set myself up for success in managing diabetes?
Chronic conditions like diabetes can be difficult to manage and on your own, and navigating the healthcare maze can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created the Impact by One Medical program, our chronic condition management program*. It combines a provider-led team of experts with smart technology to help you manage and prevent chronic conditions — so you have all the support and care you need to find your way to better health. Your One Medical provider can share more information about the Impact program and whether it might be a good fit for you. *Impact by One Medical program is not included in the membership; services that are part of the program are billed to you or your insurance, copays and deductibles may apply. Only available in locations where One Medical has offices
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