A diabetes helpline is often a good resource for the newly diagnosed diabetic. It can also be helpful for those with limited financial resources, and for those that may be house-bound due to health problems or lack of transportation. Just calling a diabetes helpline will put you in touch with a specialist who can make an assessment of your current situation and help you understand what your next step needs to be.

The resources available can help you get answers to questions about diabetes in general, or about test results, nutrition, medical regimens, finding a diabetes physician, side effects of medications, free supply or prescription resources, financial aid, and many other topics. But you should never substitute someone on the telephone, or an informative and helpful website for actual physician care tailored to your specific condition.

 

What are some of the Diabetes Helpline Resources Available?

 

  • The Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation offers a toll-free helpline that offers assistance to over 1200 people every year. They found that many diabetics aren’t even seeing an endocrinologist. Their diabetes helpline can help you find a physician in your area and they will also help you understand the mountains of new information generated every year regarding research, medications, technology, and supplies. Their diabetes helpline can be reached at 1-800-941-4635. Please note that if you have a medical emergency, you should dial 911 instead, as they are not equipped to handle emergencies.
  • The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases provides a diabetes helpline that will provide referrals as well as literature on a wide range of topics including diabetes, kidney disease, digestive disorders and metabolic and endocrine disorders. They can be reached at 1-800-860-8747 on weekdays from 8:30am – 5:00pm EST. They have a Bilingual diabetes helpline at 1-800-438-5383 during the same hours.
  • Envoy Health offers a diabetes helpline to answer routine questions. You can speak to a Certified Diabetes Educator at 1-800-941-4635 on Monday thru Friday between 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
  • The American Diabetes Association is a very good resource for diabetics, providing information about the condition itself as well as exercise and nutrition advice. Their diabetes helpline can be reached at 1-800-342-2383. They also have lots of information at their website www.diabetes.org.

 

Those living in the UK that are interested also have available to them a diabetes helpline. UK residents can contact 0845 120 2960 Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm. Named Careline, it is the only dedicated diabetes helpline in the UK.  They can also be contacted by mail, if necessary. Send letters or inquiries to:

Diabetes UK Careline
Macleod House
10 Parkway
London
NW1 7AA