Dr. Costello is a board-certified endocrinologist with extensive experience treating diabetes and associated conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and neuropathy (nerve disease). She stays up-to-date with the latest medications and technology. This technology currently allows Dr. Costello to view blood sugar meter results, insulin pump settings and reports, and continuous glucose monitor reports. This level of remote patient monitoring has improved the care of individuals living with diabetes and allows much more frequent interactions and visits. Dr. Dominica Costello sees patients via telehealth as well as in person at NorthShore Weight and Metabolism, located in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Call the office or request an appointment online.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way your body regulates sugar in your bloodstream. Type 1 diabetes alters the levels of insulin your body produces, and Type 2 diabetes affects the way your body responds to insulin.
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, and prediabetes is defined as elevated blood sugar levels that aren’t yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. All types of diabetes cause high blood sugar and health problems associated with it.
Common signs and symptoms associated with diabetes include:
You may not have any symptoms with prediabetes or the beginning stages of diabetes, which is why diabetes screening, if you’re at risk, is so important.
Complications that can develop due to poorly managed diabetes include kidney damage, heart problems, nerve damage, foot problems, eye damage, skin issues, hearing problems, and depression.
Common risk factors linked with developing diabetes include:
If you have risk factors for diabetes, symptoms, or have already been diagnosed, see the NorthShore Weight and Metabolism team for an evaluation. Dr. Costello has over 15 years of experience treating Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is diagnosed with several different types of blood testing. This can be a fasting glucose level, a random glucose level (i.e., taken any time of day), an A1c test (hemoglobin A1c), or a glucose tolerance test where your blood is tested after drinking a glucose drink. Your doctor will determine which test is appropriate or may be able to look back at prior blood testing to let you know if you have diabetes or not.
Dr. Costello will meet with you, and after looking at your blood work and learning about your habits and schedules, will personalize a plan. She may recommend:
Lifestyle changes are almost always part of a treatment plan- to include working on weight loss if appropriate, nutrition education, and regular exercise. For those seeking a weight loss program, when patients with diabetes join one of our programs, they often will be able to reduce or even stop their current medications.
Dr. Costello has experience with the medications used to treat diabetes and diabetes-related conditions. She is able to assist in managing insulin pumps with in-person and remote monitoring software that assesses blood sugar using continuous glucose monitors and traditional blood sugar meters.
If you are looking for an experienced endocrinologist to manage your diabetes, call NorthShore Weight and Metabolism or request an appointment online today.
