[gettingby]

I'm hoping that my forum family members can help me with this. What is the difference between an Endo and an Internal Medicine doctor? I have visited one of the endos that is under my insurance (did not care for him). I have found an Internal Medicine doctor that is a certified pump specialist and I would love to see him (he's covered, yay!!). Is there a big difference?

[camjen1]

From what I'm thinking is Internal is just like a general physician. You can visit him when you have a cold or flu.

[gettingby]

My problem is that I've finally gotten hubby to consider pumping. The other 2 endos covered by my ins are at least 45mins to 1 hour away from me. I want someone close who can get me where I need to be.

[Cinnabon]

Is it possible to go and get a feel for this doctor that is more convinient for you abnd then u will be able to decide?

Doctors of internal medicine focus on adult medicine. They care for their patients for life,from teen years, through old age. Internists have special training that focuses on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases.

Endos specialize on our field...A doctor who specialises in disorders of the endocrine system.

[jeggeman31]

Found this searching the net, so take it for what it is.

About Internal Medicine

Doctors of internal medicine focus on adult medicine and have had special study and training focusing on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases. At least three of their seven or more years of medical school and postgraduate training are dedicated to learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases that affect adults. Internists are sometimes referred to as the "doctor's doctor," because they are often called upon to act as consultants to other physicians to help solve puzzling diagnostic problems.

and then

What is the endocrine system?
The endocrine system is a complex group of glands. Glands are organs that make hormones. These are substances that help to control activities in your body. Hormones control reproduction, metabolism (food burning and waste elimination), and growth and development. Hormones also control the way you respond to your surroundings, and they help to provide the proper amount of energy and nutrition your body needs to function. The endocrine glands include the thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenal, pituitary and hypothalamus.

What is an endocrinologist?
An endocrinologist is a specially trained doctor. Endocrinologists diagnose diseases that affect your glands. They know how to treat conditions that are often complex and involve many systems within your body. Your primary care doctor refers you to an endocrinologist when you have a problem with your endocrine system.

What do endocrinologists do?
Endocrinologists are trained to diagnose and treat hormone problems by helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in your system. Endocrinologists conduct basic research to learn the way glands work, and clinical research to learn the best methods to treat patients. Endocrinologists develop new drugs and treatments for hormone problems. They take care of many conditions including:

diabetes
thyroid diseases
metabolic disorders
over or under production of hormones
menopause
osteoporosis
hypertension
cholesterol (lipid) disorders
infertility
lack of growth (short stature)
cancers of the endocrine glands
What type of medical training do endocrinologists receive?
Endocrinologists finish four years of medical school and then spend three or four years in an internship and residency program. These specialty programs cover internal medicine, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology. They spend two or three more years learning how to diagnose and treat hormone conditions. Overall, an endocrinologist's training will take more than 10 years.

What are the most common endocrine diseases and disorders?
Endocrine diseases and disorders can be grouped into several different areas. Some endocrinologists focus on one or two areas, such as diabetes, pediatric disorders, thyroid, or reproductive and menstrual disorders. Others work in all areas of endocrinology. The major areas of endocrinology are described below.

[jeggeman31]

Originally Posted by gettingby

What is the difference between an Endo and an Internal Medicine doctor?

I got better treatment from my ENDO than I did from my Internal Medicine DR. However, my IM Dr was not a certified pump specialist. He sent me out to an Endo when we started talking pumps !

[gettingby]

Originally Posted by Cinnabon

Is it possible to go and get a feel for this doctor that is more convinient for you abnd then u will be able to decide?

Doctors of internal medicine focus on adult medicine. They care for their patients for life,from teen years, through old age. Internists have special training that focuses on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases.

Endos specialize on our field...A doctor who specialises in disorders of the endocrine system.

Yeah. I can get my CDE (whom I see for practically everything) to give me a referral so I will only have to pay $40.
Just wondered if it would be worth it. I'll call my CDE and see what she thinks. Actually, she is a certified pump specialist and she worked for a prominent endo up North. May just let her handle it all.

[poodlebone]

Originally Posted by gettingby

I'm hoping that my forum family members can help me with this. What is the difference between an Endo and an Internal Medicine doctor? I have visited one of the endos that is under my insurance (did not care for him). I have found an Internal Medicine doctor that is a certified pump specialist and I would love to see him (he's covered, yay!!). Is there a big difference?

My insurance requires me to have a primary care physician, which must be a general practitioner, family practice or internal medicine. Mine is an internist and she knows squat about diabetes. If you found one listed as a pump specialist I'd give him a try. I like my endo and NP/CDE, who I actually usually see. I've only seen the actual endo once and the NP/CDE ever since. I would much rather go to her than my primary care doctor.

[kgm0612]

In my opinion, it's how comfortable you feel about the doctor and with the treatment he/she is giving you.

My internest is my PCP.........she originally dx'd me three years ago. She was more than willing to treat my diabetes but suggested I might be better off seeing an endo. Her comment to me that day in her office was "they are more up to date on the latest treatments". I am very confident in the care my internest gives me and probably would have let her handle my diabetes had it not been that my younger brother is also a type 1. I chose to make an appointment with his endo.

Karen

[jen_slc]

Endocrinologists are a subset of Internal Medicine doctors, so they are all board certified in Internal Medicine. Endos go on to do more training in endocrinology, whereas a general internist may not specialize further. There are several subspecialties within Internal Medicine: endocrinology, infectious disease, rheumatology, cardiology, etc.

Officially, the doc I see for diabetes care is listed in Internal Medicine and not in endocrinology, though I know he has specialized in endocrinology, and I think he's great.