Internal Medicine at Chinook Medical Centre — by physician referral
What This Covers
Diabetes means the body has difficulty regulating blood sugar. This page also covers prediabetes — blood sugar that’s higher than normal but not yet diabetes, an important window for prevention — and metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions (elevated blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and abdominal weight) that together raise long-term health risk.
Common Reasons for Referral
- Diabetes that’s difficult to control despite treatment
- Newly identified prediabetes needing a structured plan
- Diabetes complicated by other conditions
- Metabolic syndrome with multiple overlapping risk factors
- Uncertainty about medication or insulin adjustment
Symptoms and Risk Factors
Increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, and unexplained weight loss can signal diabetes — though Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes often cause no symptoms at all, which is why routine screening matters.
Risk factors: family history, excess weight (particularly abdominal), low activity levels, age, history of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and certain ethnic backgrounds carrying higher population-level risk.
When Urgent Medical Attention May Be Needed
Very high or very low blood sugar with confusion, difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, or loss of consciousness is a medical emergency — seek immediate care.
What Dr. Srini May Assess
Blood sugar control over time, contributing and related conditions (blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney function), and a coordinated plan rather than treating diabetes in isolation from the rest of your health.
Tests That May Be Considered
Blood sugar and average-blood-sugar (A1C) testing, and periodic screening for complications (kidney function, cholesterol) as appropriate. Laboratory testing for routine and follow-up monitoring is conveniently located nearby or just steps away, close to Chinook Guardian Pharmacy, which is located on-site.
General Treatment and Monitoring Approach
May include nutrition and activity planning, blood sugar monitoring, medication or insulin therapy where needed, and regular follow-up to adjust the plan — individualized to your situation.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Bring a current medication list, recent blood sugar logs if you monitor at home, and any recent lab results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between prediabetes and diabetes?
Prediabetes means blood sugar is elevated but below the diabetes threshold — it’s a warning sign and an opportunity to prevent progression, often through lifestyle changes.
Can Type 2 diabetes be reversed?
Some people significantly improve blood sugar control through weight and lifestyle changes, sometimes reducing or stopping medication — this varies by individual and isn’t guaranteed.
What is metabolic syndrome?
A cluster of related risk factors — blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and abdominal weight — that together raise cardiovascular and diabetes risk more than any one factor alone.
Do I need a referral?
Yes — a referral from a family physician or nurse practitioner is required.
How to Obtain a Referral
Already a Chinook Medical Centre patient? Ask your doctor whether a referral to Dr. Srini is right for you.
Don’t have a family doctor? Become a patient at Chinook Medical Centre — once established with one of our family physicians, they can assess whether a specialist referral is needed.
For referring physicians and nurse practitioners: Download the referral form below, complete it, and fax it to us at 403-384-9798. For questions, call 403-384-9799.
Manage Your Prescriptions
If your treatment plan includes medication, Chinook Guardian Pharmacy is located on-site, right in the same building — making it easy to fill prescriptions, ask questions, and stay on track with refills.
Sources
Diabetes Canada patient resources. | MyHealth.Alberta.ca (Diabetes)
Medically reviewed by Dr. Srinivasan Narasimhalu, MD, FRCPC
Last reviewed: September 6, 2026
This page is for general education and does not replace individual medical advice. If you have symptoms that concern you, contact your healthcare provider or, for urgent symptoms, seek immediate care.
Referral fax: 403-384-9798 (fax only — do not call)
Questions: 403-384-9799
