When To Call a Doctor

Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you are:

• Unconscious or you suddenly become very sleepy or confused. You may have low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia.
  • Emergency Care for Low Blood Sugar
• Sleepy, confused, breathing very fast, or your breath smells fruity. You may have a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.

Call a doctor right away if:

• Your blood sugar is 300 mg/dL or higher (or it is higher than the level your doctor has set for you).

Call a doctor if you:

• Are sick and having trouble controlling your blood sugar.
• Have had vomiting or diarrhea for more than 6 hours.
  • Sick day guidelines
• Often have problems with high or low blood sugar levels.
• Have trouble knowing when your blood sugar is low (hypoglycemia unawareness).
• Have questions or want to know more about diabetes.

Who to see

The following health professionals can diagnose and treat diabetes:

• Family medicine physician
• General practitioner
• Internist
• Endocrinologist
• Pediatric endocrinologist
• Pediatrician
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.