Diabetes Care
Learn the roles of glucose and insulin in type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, and what you can do to manage each one.
Managing diabetes is a team effort, and our endocrinologists, certified diabetes educators, and dietitians are with you every step of the way. We’ll help you control your blood sugar levels and blood pressure and develop a lifestyle plan that works for you.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can appear suddenly and may include:
- Feeling more thirsty than usual
- Frequent urination
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss, even though you are eating as usual
- Fatigue
- Irritability or other mood changes
- Blurred vision
- New onset of bed wetting in children
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include:
- Constant hunger
- Excessive thirst
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Weight loss, even though you are eating as usual
- Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and feet
Symptoms of gestational diabetes are often mild and not obvious, but may include:
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Vaginal infections
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Nausea
Types of Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. There are three primary types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational. Types 1 and 2 increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and more. Gestational diabetes affects pregnant women, who may have greater problems during delivery and have larger babies.
Type 1 diabetes, previously called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes, is an autoimmune disease that can occur in children and adults at any age. For reasons not entirely understood, your immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. As a result, your body produces little to no insulin to regulate blood sugar and get energy from food. Glucose is locked out of the cells, leading to high levels in the bloodstream.
More common type 2 diabetes can result when the pancreas is producing insulin but the cells are not responding to it the way they should. Less glucose enters your cells, leading to high levels in your bloodstream. Over time, your pancreas stops making insulin, and you will need to begin insulin injections.
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that begins, or is first discovered, during pregnancy. It may occur when pregnancy-related hormones hinder insulin from acting properly, causing increased blood glucose levels. Through treatment, blood sugar levels usually return to normal after delivery.
Diabetes Diagnosis at Virtua
Diabetes is diagnosed through a series of blood tests that check your blood sugar levels.
Type 1 diabetes tests:
- Random (casual) blood sugar test, which measures the amount of glucose in your bloodstream at a specific moment in time
- Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test, which measures the average amount of glucose in your bloodstream over the past 90 days as a percentage
Type 2 diabetes tests:
- Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test
- Random blood sugar test
- Fasting blood sugar test, conducted after an overnight fast
Gestational diabetes test:
- An oral glucose tolerance test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, or earlier depending on risk, administered by your OB/GYN or midwife (consult your provider to learn more).
Diabetes Treatment at Virtua
Our endocrinologists and certified diabetes educators help you manage diabetes, and your overall health, to significantly lower your risk for long-term complications.
During regular visits, your care team checks your blood sugar, blood pressure levels, and your weight, and makes adjustments to your medication and insulin dosage, if needed.
Your team also provides tips so you can manage your condition, including:
- How and when to check your blood glucose, and how to best track your results
- When and how to take your prescribed medicine and insulin
- How to maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise
- How to recognize problems so you can contact your care team
You also may be referred to other specialists, including a dietitian, eye doctor, and podiatrist, to help manage your symptoms.
Moms-to-be with gestational diabetes are generally cared for by their OB/GYN or midwife. Talk with your provider for more specific information.
Virtua Diabetes Specialists
Our endocrinologists, certified diabetes educators, and other specialists are located across South Jersey, so you never have to travel far to get the care you need.
The Virtua Difference for Diabetes Care
Recognized care
The American Diabetes Association recognizes Virtua's diabetes program for offering high-quality diabetes self-management education, which is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.
Recognized care
The American Diabetes Association recognizes Virtua's diabetes program for offering high-quality diabetes self-management education, which is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.
Help with choosing healthy foods
Diet plays a key role in managing your diabetes. Our registered dietitians, who are also certified diabetes educators, offer convenient evening and weekend hours. For added flexibility, we also provide telehealth appointments for people in New Jersey.
Help with choosing healthy foods
Diet plays a key role in managing your diabetes. Our registered dietitians, who are also certified diabetes educators, offer convenient evening and weekend hours. For added flexibility, we also provide telehealth appointments for people in New Jersey.
Support you need
hare experiences and coping techniques in our Facebook and in-person diabetes support groups.
Support you need
hare experiences and coping techniques in our Facebook and in-person diabetes support groups.
Virtua Diabetes Care Locations
Virtua’s endocrinologists and certified diabetes educators are located in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties, so care is never far from home.
Make an Appointment with a Virtua Endocrinologist
Diabetes Support Groups
Virtua offers a Facebook diabetes support group and an insulin users support group. The insulin support group meets the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Virtua Health & Wellness Center — Moorestown.
Ask your provider about how to join these groups.