Dr. Nicholas Henry Elias Mezitis, MD, PhD
Endocrinology, Diabetes | Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
75 Hospital Dr Suite 200 Athens OH, 45701About
Dr. Nicholas Mezitis is a clinical professor at Ohio University and practices Endocrinology in Ohio. Dr. Mezitis specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases related to hormone imbalance and the body's meatabolism. Endocrinologists are trained and certified to treat a variety of conditions, including menopause, diabetes, infertility, and thyroid disorders, among many others.
Dr. Mezitis examines patients, determines means of testing, makes diagnoses, and decides on the best treatment methods.He educates patients in nutrition and lifestyle and uses vitamins and supplements in reversing illness and preventing disease.
Education and Training
Heidelberg University GERMANY MD PhD 1976
Provider Details
Dr. Nicholas Henry Elias Mezitis, MD, PhD 's Expert Contributions
Diabetes Mellitus Explained
What Is Diabetes Mellitus?Diabetes mellitus is a fundamental disturbance in the body’s fuel processing frequently leading to weakness, weight loss, and mood swings among other changes.Damage From Diabetes MellitusThe disruption in fuel processing seen in diabetes generates excessive swings in...
Can being on too much thyroid medicine cause quick episodes of dizziness?
Thyroid hormone supplements can cause a rapid hear rate and palpitations if dosed in excess. Anxiety and dizziness can result from such experiences. Treatment with thyroid hormone involves selecting the right preparation and dosing it accurately with blood testing under medical supervision. Be aware that thyroid hormone products on the market may also contain other ingredients in their tablets which can cause an allergic response. READ MORE
Tingling Body?
The body has difficulty properly digesting nutrients late in the day and glucose levels will be higher than desirable after the meal. Glucose levels significantly above range (usually over 200 mg/dL) may be associated with neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling or pain in the limbs. Carbohydrate-rich meals (pasta, potatoes) can also cause sleepiness. I recommend that patients focus on having their largest meal at breakfast with a generous lunch and a light supper. My book A Blueprint for Healthy Eating: Your Diet Guide for the New Millennium available at www.mer-llc.com or on Amazon explains why eating major meals between 4 AM and 4 PM improves diabetes and controls weight. READ MORE
Thyroid problems?
Your description of symptoms suggests thyroid inflammation. You should check to see the names of the antibodies reported on your tests. TPO and antithyroglobulin antibodies are seen in thyroiditis. Rheumatoid arthritis features antibodies as well (ANA, RA) and is frequently associated with thyroiditis. You have been prescribed a thyroid supplement, which means you have already been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Painful thyroiditis, however, may require short-term treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, including steroids for relief. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, if present, involves long-term management with anti-inflammatory medications. READ MORE
Insulin shot?
Insulin an be safely stored in the refrigerator until its expiration date if unopened. Once used you may keep the vials or pens at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 30 days. For insulin taken from the refrigerator for use, briefly rubbing the insulin vial or pen between the palms warms up the liquid and ensures proper mixing for injection. 'Long-acting' insulin will appear uniformly cloudy when ready to inject. READ MORE
Do I have hypothyroidism?
Checking for hypothyroidism involves a simple blood test known as TSH that your primary care physician can order. This can be performed at a testing center near your home. Results are usually available the same day. Stomach issues, weight loss and fatigue can have other causes, which frequently relate to depression. This possibility should be explored in your case and will require a visit to your physician. Keep in mind that telephone/video visits are now possible and are covered by insurance. READ MORE
Pain in both hands?
Pain in the hands in diabetes may reflect sensory nerve damage (neuropathy), stiffening of tissues (finger triggering), or carpal tunnel syndrome from pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. Sensory neuropathy is frequently seen in poorly controlled diabetes and affects both hands in glove distribution with pain or burning experienced throughout the day, but worse at night. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause numbness and tingling in selected fingers, but can also affect the whole hand and weaken the grip over time. Arthritic pains are a possibility, but they usually are a chronic complaint reflecting wear and tear of finger joints over years. READ MORE
Is a glucose meter bought from a chemist accurate? Will intermittent fasting help bring down my HbA1C level?
A glucose meter is a good first step in increasing awareness about the importance of proper meals and mealtimes. It is important to use a control solution provided for your meter to check its calibration and reliability. The most important time to check the blood glucose is before breakfast. A result less than 100 mg/dL is optimal. Achieving these scores is feasible , if late dinners are avoided. Check my book A Blueprint for Healthy Eating: Your Diet Guide for the New Millennium (2nd edition) available at www.mer-llc.com or through Amazon for details on the importance of eating major meals between 4 AM and 4 PM to control blood glucose and avoid weight gain. READ MORE
Insulin Reaction?
Type 2 diabetes indicates that the body is making insulin, but the insulin produced is not sufficient in overcoming resistance to its action. This requires using pills and/or insulin to control blood glucose levels. Monitoring blood glucose with fingerstick testing is important in order to understand how to control diabetes with medications, diet and exercise and to avoid low blood glucose reactions. Confusion, weakness, stiffness and even seizures and unconsciousness can result from a low blood glucose experience. In order to be sure that a low blood glucose has caused the stiffness we should check the blood glucose during the episode and we would expect rapid recovery with juice or a glucose snack. READ MORE
Foot problem?
Type 2 diabetes is usually one of the features of metabolic syndrome, which includes abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. High uric acid that leads to gout is also a feature and is frequently neglected in management. Your symptoms suggest this problem. However, infection is always a danger must also be excluded. A visit to a physician for blood work and treatment is important and should not be delayed. READ MORE
Can you take insulin without needles?
Insulin is available in inhaled form (Afrezza) in the United States. Oral insulin spray is available, but has not been approved in the United States. Oral insulin in capsule form and intranasal insulin are being investigated for marketing. Dosing these products is not as flexible or as reliable as insulin injections and may influence our choices in many situations. The convenience and minimal discomfort of pen injection devices currently in use for insulin delivery has made them the preferred mode of treatment for patients requiring insulin who are not using insulin pumps. READ MORE
If my mother has diabetes am I guaranteed to have it later in life?
Type 2 diabetes, which is non-insulin dependent, is more likely to be seen in successive generations due to genetics. Avoiding excessive weight gain, remaining physically active and consuming a healthy diet help in preventing diabetes mellitus type 2. Your health care provider should monitor your blood tests (glucose level, hemoglobin A1c) to alert you if critical thresholds are exceeded and to guide you in prevention. Vitamin D is an important supplement which supports cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. Nicholas H.E. Mezitis, MD, PhD READ MORE
Can diabetes cause weight loss?
In poorly controlled diabetes the insulin supply which regulates the proper utilization of nutrients involved in growth is deficient. Food ingredients that normally would serve to grow tissue and give us strength are wasted, usually lost in the urine. The cellular machinery that serves to process the sugar , protein and fat from our diet malfunctions without adequate insulin in the mix. Patients lose weight and strength. Brain function is affected and people's concentration, memory and mood suffer. Insulin supply should be restored either by administering insulin or by prescribing medication that improves the body's insulin production and insulin activity. Weight gain will result. Care must be exercised because too much insulin can promote obesity. READ MORE
Does Metformin ensure that I won't have diabetes because of my PCOD?
Metformin is frequently prescribed for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome because it improves insulin sensitivity and restores menstrual regularity. It has also been shown to benefit fertility and may protect the pregnancy once the woman has conceived. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are characterized by significant insulin resistance which may lead them to develop diabetes mellitus later in life. Metformin use does not guarantee that they will never develop diabetes. The Diabetes Prevention Trial has shown that metformin is no better than lifestyle change (diet, exercise) in preventing diabetes. Controlling our weight with a healthy diet and remaining physically active is the best protection against chronic metabolic illness, including diabetes. READ MORE
Why do I feel tired after I eat?
Several events take place in the body after a meal which may cause the individual to feel tired and sleepy. Here are some examples: First, blood supply to the gut increases preferentially, leading to redistribution favoring the central nervous system less and causing the individual to seek rest. Second, the balance in the autonomic nervous system that services the gut shifts to favor the parasympathetic system that relates to a low energy state and a desire to limit activity Third, foods rich in simple carbohydrates (sugar) generate an insulin response that shifts amino acid concentration in the blood and causes tryptophan to be taken up by the brain. Tryptophan is converted to chemicals that cause sleepiness (serotonin, melatonin). Fourth, increased insulin moves potassium from the blood stream into cells. Lower circulating potassium levels can contribute to fatigue. READ MORE
Can low vitamin D worsen my diabetes?
Vitamin D is a potent anti-inflammatory factor, besides its protective effects on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, its importance in calcium absorption and bone growth and its nourishing effects on the gut microbiome. Diabetes mellitus features inflammation as the process through which it damages the organism. Low vitamin D levels leave us vulnerable to the complications of diabetes mellitus , namely blood vessel and nerve damage. One of the first steps in diabetes management should be to correct vitamin D deficiency. READ MORE
Which fruits are okay for a diabetes patient?
Seasonal fruits which are available in your region are the best choice. I recommend a cup of fresh fruit as part of a mixed meal which includes protein, fat and vegetables. Please refer to my book 'A Blueprint for Healthy Eating: Your Diet Guide for the New Millennium' 2nd edition (Amazon) for details. READ MORE
If I had gestational diabetes, am I at higher risk of diabetes at a later stage?
Gestational diabetes remains a risk factor for developing diabetes mellitus later in life, even when blood glucose levels return to normal after delivery. The key is prevention, which involves avoiding significant weight gain, observing diet rules for balanced meals and being consistent in a program of physical activity. READ MORE
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels. There are various forms of diabetes relating to the cause of the problem. Two major categories identified are known as type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas have been destroyed or are non-functional. These individuals do not make enough insulin to survive and rely on insulin injections for life. In type 2 diabetes, the body is not responding well to the insulin produced and therefore glucose does not get properly absorbed by the cells in the body. We can use pills and/or insulin to improve blood glucose control for patients with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes in its origin relates very much to lifestyle and heredity. Many factors, including the body's own antibodies may be responsible for beta cell destruction in type 1 diabetes. The role of heredity in the origins of type 1 diabetes is less clear. READ MORE
Why are my blood sugar levels so high in the morning?
Blood glucose levels in the morning are influenced by the meal composition and the timing of meals consumed after 4 PM the day before. Consuming the bulk of one's daily calories after 4 PM and favoring starchy foods (potato, corn) will result in higher glucose results the morning after. Also, patients taking medications for diabetes may experience hypoglycemia overnight resulting in high morning glucose results. Bear in mind that the body produces hormones such as cortisol that peak in the morning and that naturally raise the blood glucose, but our diet and lifestyle (sleep) can aggravate this tendency READ MORE
Who is at risk of ketoacidosis?
Ketoacidosis is a dangerous condition where the body starved of its insulin signal shifts to burning fat as emergency fuel generating ketones as byproducts. These substances in excess generate an acid environment in the blood which causes nausea, vomiting, lethargy and other problems. Untreated in this situation the patient with diabetes may die. Treatment is with intravenous fluids (salt water, potassium) and insulin. The best approach is prevention. Patients with diabetes requiring insulin should monitor their blood glucose and make sure that they are giving insulin in the correct amount for every situation. A specialist will provide detailed instructions and be available for emergencies. READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of Medicine- Combination therapy for NIDDM with biosynthetic human insulin and glyburide.
- Frozen desserts and glycemic response in well-controlled NIDDM patients.
- Combination therapy with insulin and sulfonylureas for type II diabetes.
- Stability of stored chemstrip bG.
- Silicone-induced granuloma after injection for cosmetic purposes: a rare entity of calcitriol-mediated hypercalcemia.
- Dietary management of geriatric diabetes.
- Needle-stick injury.
- Self-monitoring of blood glucose: tourniquet method.
- [Parenteral nutrition with amino acids in liver insufficiency].
- [Parenteral nutrition with amino acids in liver insufficiency].
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Clinical Professor Specialty Medicine Ohio University 2020 - Present
- Clinical Director Ohio Health Diabetes Endocrine Care and Education Center 2017 - Present
- Senior Consultant Endocrinology Marietta Memorial Endocrine Clinic 2016 - Present
- President Mezitis Education Research LLC 2019 - Present
Awards
- Bleibtreu Research Fellowship 1985 St. Luke's/ Roosevelt Hospital Center / Columbia Univ.
Treatments
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Gestational Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Goiter
Professional Memberships
- Endocrine Society
- American Diabetes Association
- Royal Society of Medicine
- Hellenic Medical Society of New York
Internships
- George Washington University Hospital
Professional Society Memberships
- American College of Physicians, the Endocrine Society, the American Diabetes Association, the Royal Society of Medicine, and the Hellenic Medical Society of New York
Dr. Nicholas Henry Elias Mezitis, MD, PhD 's Practice location
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Get to know Endocrinologist Dr. Nicholas Henry Elias Mezitis, who serves patients in Ohio.
A prominent endocrinologist, Dr. Mezitis examines patients, determines means of testing, makes diagnoses, and decides on the best treatment methods. He also educates patients and healthcare providers in nutrition and lifestyle and uses vitamins and supplements in reversing illness and preventing disease.
In 2014, he was invited to Athens, Ohio to join the faculty at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and to lead the University Medical Associates Diabetes Endocrine Care and Education Center, with privileges as consultant at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital and investigator at the Diabetes Institute of Ohio University. He is now Clinical Professor of Specialty Medicine and has joined OhioHealth and Marietta Memorial Health systems as consultant in diabetes/endocrinology. He serves as President of Mezitis Education Research, LLC..
Dr. Mezitis’ approach in medical care involves educating the community to understand the origins of illness as a disruption in vital rhythms thus empowering patients to restore vital harmony, primarily through nutrition and lifestyle. His years of training at major academic centers and his long experience with diverse cultures and population groups have permitted him to develop a successful educational message with outstanding clinical outcomes.
Educated in Europe, Dr. Mezitis began his medical studies at the National Kapodistrian University in Athens, Greece and graduated with his medical degree from Heidelberg University in Germany. He then relocated to the United States, performing his internship in anatomic and / clinical pathology at George Washington University Hospital and his residency in internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Furthering his training, he performed fellowships: in diabetes and metabolism at the Joslin Clinic of Harvard University and the New England Deaconess Hospital Boston , in endocrinology and metabolism at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center and at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. After completing his training, Dr. Mezitis directed the Clinical Pharmacology Program at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center, founded the Mezitis Education Research Institute Ltd. and Clinical Consultant Services International Ltd. and maintained an active consultation practice in Manhattan.
Dr. Mezitis is an active member of the American College of Physicians, the Endocrine Society, the American Diabetes Association, the Royal Society of Medicine, and the Hellenic Medical Society of New York.
Throughout his line of work, he has authored important contributions to the medical literature in his specialties and has served as reviewer for journals and publishers. He has also provided expertise on the boards of professional societies, has served as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry, and has lectured both nationally and internationally.
On a more personal note, Dr. Mezitis is fluent in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and Greek.
Endocrinology is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions known as hormones. Endocrinologists have the training to diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and problems by helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in the body. The common diseases and disorders of the endocrine system that endocrinologists deal with include diabetes mellitus, as well as adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid disorders, among others.
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