Sarah Howard
Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.
Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.
I transfered providers when I left for college.
My pediatrician—not a specialist—took care of me for about 9 months, then I left for college at age 17 and saw an “adult” endocrinologist. I didn’t shop around and have no idea if pediatric endocrinologists existed. As a college student I considered myself to be an adult.
The correct answer for me is non-numeric. Had a pediatrician until age 14. Then had no medical care / visits for probably 10-15 years. If you’re not sick, who needs a doc, right? ͡⚈ ︵ ͡⚈
I was an adult a 23 when I became a diabetic. But, did not see an Endocrinologist until 1998. Let’s see, I would have been 45 years old before I saw my first Endocrinologist. (I had to do the math twice, and shake my head). Oh, If I had only known to see an Endocrinologist sooner, how much better could my life had been.
And, how much better my family’s life could have been.
Other than one appointment right after my diagnosis at 19, I didn’t see an endocrinologist until 18 years later. I wish I had done it sooner instead of just seeing a PCP.
I know what you mean, Lawrence S!
I had been diabetic for 25 years before I found out there was such a thing as endocrinology!
Diagnosed at age 9 in 1966. My general pediatrician (who later specialized in pediatric gastroenterology) offered to take care of my diabetes because his office was closer and more convenient. At about 15, I started seeing an adult general practitioner and didn’t see an endo until age 29, other than being closely followed by my OB during 2 pregnancies in the ‘80s when fingersticks became available.
Since 1989, I’ve seen my endos regularly.
https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/44/11/2449/138477/Adult-Onset-Type-1-Diabetes-Current-Understanding
We are the majority.
The experiences of those diagnosed as adults differ from those diagnosed as children: Having to repeatedly prove that one isn’t T2 and does indeed require insulin. Being expected to suck it up, figure it out on our own, manage perfectly and in a way that doesn’t impinge on anyone else. Weight gain viewed as a character flaw, rather than a symptom of our body betraying us once again.
Hi Mary!
I hear ya! I have experienced all of those same things (except having to prove I wasn’t type 2) as a child, so I actually get it.
Now that I’m older, I find myself having to add the “proving one isn’t type 2” every so often.
I wish I could fix it for you!!! :/
My dad had T1d so when I got it (age 12) I just went to him. Until I switched to Kaiser, age 23.
I meant I went to his endocrinologist. Although my Dad was a pediatrician, so mostly didn’t have to go to ‘the doctor’.
I was diagnosed at 16, 5 months before I turned 17. Our family doctor (after my second stay in the hospital some 4-5 months later) sent me to an Internist who specialized in diabetes.
My primary died two weeks after I graduated high school. Had zero need or ever seen one before then…. My primary offered excellent care
those names mentioned above were NOT heard of when I was diagnosed …tooooo many years ago !!!
This happened back in 1966, when I was 17. I had been diabetic for 3 years. I had always had trouble with hypoglycemia in the late afternoon almost every day (I used a single injection of Reg and NPH) so my mom looked to find a solution. I had been in the care of a Pediatrician, and my mom found a diabetes specialist in the same city. I also think she was looking for a miracle cure, or at least the latest therapy. The endocrinologist put me on 3 injections a day, which immediately alleviated the hypoglycemia issue. Unfortunately, disposable syringes were not yet available, so I had to boil a glass syringe before each injection, which was a bit inconvenient.
I was diagnosed at 18 y/o and seen by an adult endocrinologist from the start.
I was diagnosed at 19, but treated in the pediatric/adolescent ward in the hospital. The endo who treated me during the week I was hospitalized told me to make an appointment with her for 1 weeks after I was released. Her other patients were all younger teens and I felt a little out of place. I had no insurance (the hospital got me temporary Medicaid for 3 months and the state refused to extend it after that) so I only had that one appointment.
I was diagnosed in 1964 and there wasn’t a pediatric diabetes specialist where we lived
I was dx at the age of 8 in 1955. My pediatrician continued to be my primary healthcare provider until at 14 I started seeing an Internist who had previously been involved in the development of type 2 oral medication for adults. in addition, during those first years, I had an appointment with a diabetes specialist at a university research center. I don’t think he specifically treated children. Over my past 67 years living with T1 D, the option of receiving care from an endocrinologist has been very limited.
There was no such thing as a pediatric endocrinologist in Indiana in 1974.
Wow! My brother was diagnosed in 1972 by a pediatric endocrinologist in St. Louis, MO. I find it hard to believe there wasn’t ONE in the whole state of Indiana, in 1974.
Diagnosed at age 6 back in the mid-60’s. I only saw a general pediatrician once a year for a fasting blood sugar. My initial dose of insulin never changed from age 6 to age 13 when I went into ketoacidosis. We knew no one in the area that had expertise in diabetes in our city. At age 20, I married and moved to another city where one the best endocrinologists in the area had just started practice. His speciality is Type 1 diabetes. He has kept me complication-free for many decades.
I was diagnosed at 18. I saw my first Endo at 19. When I came back to the States and got a full-time job I consistently saw an Endo from aga 22-23.
my care as a child was with internal medicine son providers. They both specialized in diabetes. In my mid 20s I went to a number of different Endocrinologist. still with them.
After my first year of college I was told I would be doing my “Diabetic Registry stay” at the adult registry clinic. Thus began my transfer from pediatric to adult endocrinologist , at age 19,
Saw a pediatrician till 18, regular doc till 22, then finally got to see my very first Endo at 23. Living 2 hours from a big city that had an Endo, that was never an option for me.
Diagnosed at 5 and I was never under the care of a pediatric endocrinologist. And, the doctors I did have were incredibly callous.
But, I have great care now which I am very grateful for!!!
I would like to clarify that I was always under the care of an adult care doctor. The only time I went to a pediatrician was for vaccinations.
My first endocrinologist was very skilled. Pediatric endo was his specialty. He would refer female patients to adult endo doctors but kept me as a patient until he retired.
Back in 1963, an endocrinologist was an endocrinologist. Period. There were no sub-classifications of diabetic patients, so I went to the same endo from the age of 10 until that wonderful doctor retired.
I could have stayed with my “child endocrine,” but chose to switch because I didn’t agree with his treatment plan. Turned out, I was right!
I had a regular primary care doctor doctor taking care of my diabetes from age 9 to 55. (1973 when diagnosed). I went to an endo one time in my 20’s but was told that since I was doing well I didn’t need to see her again and that my primary care doctor could take care of me as always. In 2019 when I was 55, my insurance changed and I was sent to an endocrinologist to manage my diabetes.
I was diagnosed @ 34
I didn’t see a endocrinologist until I was in my late 30’s or early 40’s.
I was diagnosed in my 7th month of pregnancy at age 27.