At Metabolic, diabetes care is led by a full team of endocrinologists, including Dr. Yousef Said (Medical Director), Dr. Cigdem Bas, Dr. Faisal Albastaki, Dr. Milena Caccelli, Dr. Anzi Azeez, Dr. Haika Shoo, Dr. Ismail Emre Arslan, and Dr. Joudy Kattan, supported by dedicated diabetes educators including Dr. Hadeel Maksoud, Dr. Fatima Tarboush, and Dr. Nada Al Shadidy. Rather than pointing to a single "best" doctor, we match you with the specialist best suited to your specific type of diabetes and treatment goals.

Type 1 diabetes currently has no cure and requires lifelong insulin management. Type 2 diabetes, however, can in many cases be put into remission through intensive, medically supervised intervention; meaning blood sugar returns to normal ranges without medication. This isn't guaranteed for everyone, but it's a realistic goal for many patients, especially when caught early. At Metabolic, our data shows real results: 81% of our prediabetic patients reversed their condition to a healthy clinical profile within just 90 days.

People often search for a "sugar doctor" or "sugar specialist". Medically, this is either an endocrinologist or a diabetologist. A diabetologist focuses specifically on diagnosing and managing diabetes day to day. An endocrinologist treats a broader range of hormone-related conditions, including diabetes, and is often the right choice when diabetes is connected to another hormonal issue. At Metabolic, our team includes both, so you're matched with the right specialist for your specific situation.

For most people managing diabetes day to day, a diabetologist is the right starting point — they specialize specifically in blood sugar management and treatment planning. An endocrinologist becomes the better fit if your diabetes is linked to a broader hormonal issue, such as a thyroid condition or PCOS, since they're trained across the full range of hormone-related disorders. Not sure which you need? Our team can guide you to the right specialist during your first consultation, so you don't have to figure it out on your own.

Yes. If you've already been diagnosed or started treatment elsewhere, our specialists can review your existing results, tests, and treatment plan to give you an honest, independent perspective; whether that means confirming your current approach or suggesting a different path forward. It's a good option if you're unsure about a diagnosis, want more clarity on your options, or simply want another set of eyes before making a decision.

Diabetes treatment at Metabolic is widely covered by insurance, including consultations, lab tests like HbA1c, and essential medications; we work directly with major providers to make access straightforward. If you don't have insurance, our subscription plans are priced affordably, covering consultations with top diabetologists, continuous glucose monitoring, lab tests, and personalized diabetes management. A genuinely competitive self-pay option compared to paying per visit elsewhere.

Metabolic has clinics in Jumeirah (268 Al Wasl Road) and Al Barsha (Grove Mall), and Dubai Digital Park (Building A6).

Insulin pumps typically cost upwards of AED 40,000 out of pocket. Through Metabolic's subscription program, eligible Type 1 patients can receive a Medtronic MiniMed 780G pump as part of their care plan, at no separate cost.

The first few weeks after a Type 1 diagnosis are about building a plan you can actually live with, not just managing a number. Your care team will guide you through insulin dosing, carb counting, and CGM use, with real check-ins as you both adjust.

Tzield is a treatment that can delay the onset of Type 1 diabetes in some at-risk individuals; typically close relatives of someone already diagnosed. It's exclusively available at Metabolic in this region. Ask our team if you may be a candidate.

LADA is a form of autoimmune diabetes, like Type 1, but it develops more slowly and is usually diagnosed in adulthood — often after being mistaken for Type 2. If your Type 2 treatment hasn't worked as expected, it's worth being tested for LADA specifically.

In some cases, yes. Clinical research has shown that intensive, structured weight management can put Type 2 diabetes into remission for a meaningful proportion of patients, particularly when started soon after diagnosis. At Metabolic, our patients see an average 18.43% reduction in HbA1c. Remission isn't guaranteed for everyone, but it's a real, evidence-backed possibility we work toward with eligible patients.

GLP-1 medications were originally developed and approved for Type 2 diabetes management, helping regulate blood sugar and insulin response — weight loss is a secondary, often significant, benefit. If you have diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 therapy is prescribed and monitored as part of your overall diabetes care.

If you were diagnosed young, aren't overweight, or have close relatives diagnosed with diabetes early, it's worth asking. MODY is a genetic form of diabetes often mistaken for Type 2, and it can respond differently to treatment — getting the right diagnosis matters.

Type 2 diabetes treatment is widely covered by insurance, including consultations, lab tests, and essential medications. If you're self-pay, our subscription plans start from AED 595 per month, covering consultations, continuous glucose monitoring, and personalized management.

Yes - our own data shows 81% of patients reversed their condition to a healthy clinical profile, most within 90 days, through a structured program combining testing, continuous monitoring, and a coordinated care team.

They're closely related, but diagnosed differently - one from fasting glucose or HbA1c, the other from how your body responds to glucose after eating. Both indicate early insulin resistance, and both benefit from the same kind of structured intervention.

Diet matters, but it's rarely enough by itself. Our program pairs nutrition guidance with continuous monitoring and a full care team, so you can see in real time whether your changes are actually working - not just hope they are.

In most cases, yes. We confirm your exact coverage before you begin.

Most patients are on a 90-day structured plan, though your care team will adjust the timeline based on your specific results and progress.

No. GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and Ozempic require proper dosing, monitoring, and a full health assessment. Self-medicating and buying from unverified sources without physician oversight carries real risks including incorrect dosing and undetected side effects. Our program gives you a full, insurance-covered care plan instead of leaving you to guess alone.

Consultations, lab testing, and physician monitoring are typically covered by insurance. Medication itself is usually billed separately. Ask our team to check your specific plan before you start.

Yes. Talk to a physician before committing to anything; there's no cost for your first consultation, and no pressure to proceed.

Our self-pay program starts from AED 1,700 per month, including medication and blood tests. Tabby is available if you'd rather split the cost.

Up to 40% of weight lost on GLP-1 medications can come from muscle, not fat, if it isn't properly monitored. We track your real body composition using AI muscle ultrasound and DEXA-equivalent scanning, adjusting your plan to protect muscle while you lose fat.

Clinical trial data shows most people regain a significant portion of lost weight within a year of stopping, if there's no plan for what comes next. Our program builds in a structured maintenance phase - nutrition, activity, habit-building - before you ever come off the medication.

Most people underestimate this significantly. When you're losing weight quickly, your body pulls from muscle unless you're getting enough protein to protect it. Your exact target is built into your plan based on your body, ask your care team for yours.

It depends on your health history and goals, not just which name you've heard most. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) generally shows the strongest average results in head-to-head data; Wegovy and Ozempic share the same active ingredient (semaglutide) but are approved for different primary uses. We assess this with a real lab-based evaluation, not guesswork.

Switching is sometimes possible under physician supervision, but should never be done without medical guidance, given differences in dosing and mechanism between medications.

Yes, a once-daily oral tablet version is available on a limited basis.

All three are GLP-1-based, but they differ in mechanism and approved use. Mounjaro acts on two receptors instead of one. Ozempic and Wegovy share the same active ingredient but are approved for different primary purposes (diabetes vs. weight management).

Thyroid symptoms are easy to miss because they often look like normal tiredness or stress - cold hands even in warm weather, hair thinning at the part line, brain fog, heart palpitations, constipation, feeling wired and exhausted at the same time, and more. No single symptom on its own is a clear signal, but if a few of these sound familiar, it's worth getting checked.

No. Many thyroid nodules can be treated with RFA (radiofrequency ablation), a minimally invasive option with no incision or stitches, done in a single visit, that treats the nodule while keeping your thyroid intact. Surgery is still sometimes necessary, but it's no longer the only option.

Usually an endocrinologist, a specialist trained specifically in hormone-related conditions, including the thyroid. In some cases, an ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist) is involved as well, particularly for certain nodule or surgical cases. Our team includes both, so you're matched with the right specialist for your specific situation.

Look for a few things: a named, credentialed endocrinology team (not just a general practitioner), access to advanced diagnostics like AI-assisted ultrasound and same-day fine needle aspiration if needed, and clear insurance coverage. At Metabolic, all of this is included as standard, not an upgrade.

Yes, thyroid consultations, diagnostic testing, and ongoing treatment are covered by insurance for most major UAE providers. Ask our team to confirm the specifics of your plan before your visit.

Yes, when prescribed and administered through a licensed clinic. Peptides sourced through unverified online channels, without medical oversight, carry real risks and are not the same as a physician-led protocol.

No, this is one of the biggest risks in this space. Peptides bought without a prescription or medical oversight carry real risks: incorrect dosing, contamination, and interactions with medications you may already be taking. Every protocol at Metabolic begins with lab testing and a physician consultation, and your progress is monitored throughout not left to guesswork.

We grade the evidence behind every peptide we offer, from Level 1 (FDA-approved drug studies) down to Level 8 (opinions or reviews), so you know exactly what's backed by real clinical data versus early-stage research. Nothing is offered on hype alone.

The testing, consultation, and monitoring involved in your protocol may be covered by insurance, even though the peptides themselves are typically self-pay. Ask our team to confirm what your specific plan includes.

A protocol is built around your specific goals and baseline biomarkers, pairing the right peptides together with structured pre- and post-therapy testing to track real change. Buying a single peptide on its own, without that testing, means you're guessing at whether it's actually working for your body.

Yes, every protocol starts with baseline testing, not just a consultation. This is what allows your care team to track real biomarker change over time, rather than relying on how you feel alone.

A single low reading doesn't always tell the whole story. Testosterone naturally fluctuates through the day, and other conditions - thyroid issues, poor sleep, stress, certain medications - can cause the exact same symptoms without low testosterone being the actual cause. That's often why a doctor hesitates. At Metabolic, we start with a fuller picture: repeat testing at the right time, a real review of your symptoms and health history, and ruling out other causes, before deciding if TRT is actually right for you. If it is, we move forward. If it's not, we'll tell you that too.

Metabolic offers the only insurance-covered TRT protocol in the region. Consultations and follow-ups are covered by insurance, with out-of-pocket costs limited to specific tests and medications only, not the entire program.

Not without a plan, TRT alone typically reduces natural sperm production. Combined with hCG or Clomid, many men preserve their fertility throughout treatment.

It depends on your lifestyle and how hands-on you want to be with dosing. Longer-acting injections like Nebido mean fewer visits but less flexibility; daily gels and creams are non-invasive but require strict daily consistency. Your specialist will walk you through the real trade-offs for each based on your specific goals.

No. TRT is a medically supervised treatment for men with clinically low testosterone - not a bodybuilding tool. It's prescribed based on lab results below a recognized clinical threshold, monitored throughout, and adjusted based on regular bloodwork, not self-administered for performance.

Yes, when prescribed and monitored by a licensed physician. TRT obtained without a prescription or medical oversight is neither legal nor safe.

Yes, fast for 10–12 hours before your appointment for the most accurate results. Water is fine to drink during this time.

Most results are ready within 30–40 minutes, thanks to our in-house, CAP-accredited lab. You'll also have time with a physician to go through your results the same day, not a follow-up call next week.

Yes, covered by Daman, Cigna, MetLife and most major UAE providers. Many patients pay little or nothing out of pocket.

Yes. If you'd rather not come in, a phlebotomist can visit you at home, with the same same-day results.

More than a standard blood panel. Alongside core labs, you'll get advanced scans including retinal screening, abdominal ultrasound, and metabolic testing plus a physician consultation to walk you through everything in person.

Yes. Your screening is tailored to your age and risk profile — for example, additional cardiovascular and metabolic screening is added for patients over 40. Your physician will recommend the right level of testing for you specifically.

That's the point of it. Our retinal CVD screening alone has identified undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes, and high cholesterol in patients who felt completely fine walking in.

Yes, we include VO2 Max testing and metabolic rate assessment as part of the full picture, not just standard bloodwork.

A basic checkup usually covers a handful of standard blood markers. Ours goes deeper — 40+ biomarkers, advanced imaging, and a physician actually reviewing your results with you the same day, not just a printout to interpret on your own.

You will need to book an appointment in advance.

Yes, the blood vessels in your retina are a direct, visible window into your vascular health, since they're affected by the same processes that damage the arteries around your heart. Our AI-assisted retinal scan detects early signs of cardiovascular disease in under a minute, with strong clinical concordance (c-index: 0.71) to CT-based diagnostics without the radiation, cost, or wait time.

No — you can book directly with a cardiologist without a GP referral. If your insurance plan requires one for coverage purposes, our team will confirm that and help arrange it before your visit.

As a general guideline, once you hit 40, a cardiac risk assessment is worth doing at least once a year — even if you feel completely fine. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease, it's worth starting earlier.

In most cases, yes. Our AI-powered retinal scan, lipid panel, and consultation are typically covered under corporate insurance plans, with self-pay pricing available if you're not covered. We'll confirm your exact coverage before your visit.

An ECG measures your heart's electrical activity at rest. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to look at your heart's structure and how well it's pumping. A stress test checks how your heart performs under physical exertion — useful for catching issues that don't show up while you're resting. Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, your cardiologist may recommend one or more of these.

Yes — PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) is the updated medical name for what was previously called PCOS. The international medical community renamed it in 2026 to better reflect that it's a hormonal and metabolic condition, not one defined by ovarian cysts. If you've been diagnosed with PCOS, this is the same condition.

Yes — insulin resistance is common with PMOS and makes weight gain more likely and weight loss harder. GLP-1 medication can be integrated directly into your PMOS treatment plan when clinically appropriate, managed by the same endocrinologist overseeing your hormonal care.

Yes, in most cases — hormone panel testing, metabolic markers, and consultations are typically covered. We'll confirm your exact coverage before your visit.

No — while risk increases with age and after menopause, low testosterone in men and perimenopausal hormone changes in women can affect bone health earlier than most people expect. Our Bone Mineral Density scan can identify risk before it becomes a fracture concern.

Published research shows HRT can meaningfully reduce cardiovascular disease risk, improve mood and sleep disturbances, and improve bone density — it's not just about symptom relief.

An andrologist specializes specifically in male reproductive and sexual health — conditions like erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, and male infertility. A urologist covers a broader range of urinary tract and male reproductive conditions, including some that overlap with andrology. At Metabolic, our team works across both, so you're matched with the right specialist for your specific concern rather than having to figure out the distinction yourself.

Yes, completely. Every consultation is private, and your treatment plan is discussed only between you and your care team. Many men put off addressing this simply because they're unsure how the conversation will go — there's no judgment here, just a straightforward, medical approach to something that's genuinely common and treatable.

No — you can book directly with our urology or andrology team without a referral from a GP. If your insurance requires one for coverage purposes, our team will confirm that and help arrange it before your visit.

Medically, this is either an endocrinologist or a diabetologist. A diabetologist focuses specifically on diagnosing and managing diabetes day to day. An endocrinologist treats a broader range of hormone-related conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, PCOS, and menopause. At Metabolic, our team includes both, so you're matched with the right specialist for your situation.

A diabetologist specializes specifically in diabetes — day-to-day blood sugar management, medication, and monitoring. An endocrinologist is trained across the full range of hormone-related conditions, so they're the better fit if your concern involves the thyroid, PCOS, menopause, adrenal or pituitary issues, or a condition connected to a broader hormonal imbalance. If you're not sure which you need, our team will guide you to the right specialist during your first consultation.

No — in most cases, you can book directly with an endocrinologist in the UAE without a referral from a GP. If your insurance requires a referral for coverage purposes, our team will confirm that with you and help arrange it before your visit.

Yes. It's frequently connected to real hormonal and metabolic factors, not simply diet or activity levels. That's exactly why it's treated by a pediatric endocrinologist here, not managed as a lifestyle issue alone.

Wegovy is FDA-approved for adolescents 12 and older, and it's only used under close medical supervision, alongside continued nutritional and psychological support — never as a stand-alone treatment or a first-line option.

Yes, absolutely. Medication supports the process; it doesn't replace nutrition, activity, and psychological support, which remain part of your child's plan throughout.

Consultations and diagnostic testing are typically covered under family and corporate insurance plans. Medication coverage varies — we'll confirm your specific policy before you commit to anything.

If your child's weight has changed noticeably, if they're showing early signs of insulin resistance, or if you've tried lifestyle changes without meaningful results, it's worth a real evaluation rather than continuing to guess.

Your child is seen by our pediatric endocrinologist for a full assessment, and we start building a management plan together including insulin therapy, monitoring, and a real conversation about what day-to-day life actually looks like. You're not handed a diagnosis and sent home to figure it out alone; our team stays involved between visits, not just at appointments.

We offer access to the Medtronic MiniMed 780G insulin pump at no additional cost. Eligibility is confirmed individually by our pediatric endocrinologist based on your child's specific case.

Through a combination of insulin delivery (injections or a pump), continuous glucose monitoring, and ongoing adjustments based on real data, not a fixed routine that never changes. Our team tracks your child's numbers between visits and adjusts the plan as needed, rather than waiting for the next scheduled appointment.

An insulin pump delivers insulin continuously and can automatically adjust based on real-time glucose readings, reducing the number of daily injections and often improving stability. Injections are more manual but don't require wearing a device. Which is right depends on your child's age, lifestyle, and what you're comfortable managing, your endocrinologist will walk through both.

It's worth knowing that not every case of diabetes in children is classic Type 1 - MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young) is a genetic form that's sometimes misdiagnosed as Type 1. If your child's presentation doesn't quite fit the typical pattern, this is worth raising directly with your endocrinologist.