
Dr. Nicholas Henry Ellias 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 in Germany Medical Degree 1976
Provider Details

Dr. Nicholas Henry Ellias 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...
Type 1 diabetic for life not needing insulin anymore?
In type 1 diabetes, individuals rely on insulin delivery, usually by injection, to lead a normal and productive life. This condition can only be reversed through the transplantation of pancreatic tissue to secure insulin production. HCG is a hormone that supports the development of eggs and ovulation in the female's ovary. Its use in the prevention or treatment of diabetes is considered investigational. It cannot replace insulin, but it may have a role in improving sensitivity of tissues to insulin. This could benefit patients with type 2 diabetes who are resistant to the insulin they produce. Discontinuing insulin in any circumstance should be considered carefully, with glucose monitoring and under medical supervision. In the present classification of diabetes, individuals who no longer require insulin treatment to maintain blood glucose control cannot be considered type 1. Nicholas H.E. Mezitis, MD, PhD READ MORE
What tests diagnose diabetes?
The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is made by a blood (serum) glucose test. For non-pregnant adults a blood glucose level above 126 mg/dL before eating in the morning is considered diagnostic of diabetes mellitus. A blood glucose level over 200 mg/dL at any time will also make the diagnosis. Keep in mind that certain medications, stressful experiences such as acute illness or surgery may elevate the blood glucose levels. Persons with diabetes will frequently be complaining of thirst causing them to drink plenty of fluids and to urinate frequently, even interrupting their sleep. The distinction between prediabetes and diabetes is best made when the person is afebrile, not menstruating, and preferably tested in the morning. A glucose challenge test using a sweet beverage with 75 g of glucose is sometimes ordered to confirm the diagnosis with blood drawn before the drink and 2 hrs after consuming it. Alternatively, some physicians rely on a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test which reflects a blood glucose average of the previous 3 months. A result greater than 6.5 % is considered diagnostic for diabetes. I prefer to confirm HbA1c results with blood glucose testing, as described, since the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus has very serious implications for both the patient and their health record. Nicholas H.E. Mezitis, MD, PhD READ MORE
Hb1Ac test?
Diabetes medications are generally reserved for people who have diagnosed diabetes mellitus (HbA1c score over 6.5 % or a fasting glucose level over 126 mg/dl). If you have have diabetes and have achieved the HbA1c level of 5.2 % with medication you should make changes only with the approval of your doctor. If you are interested in diabetes prevention, you do not need to rely on medication. Diet and regular exercise to control weight are widely accepted as the most important diabetes prevention measures. A HbA1c of 5.2% is considered to be in the normal range for the general population. Healthy lifestyle under proper professional supervision is the approach I recommend to all of my patients. READ MORE
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
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 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
- Clinical Professor of Specialty Medicine Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine 2014 - Present
- Senior Attending Physician and Consultant OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital -
- Investigator Diabetes Institute of Ohio University -
- Senior Consultant Belpre Medical Campus: Department of Endocrinology -
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
- American College of Physicians
Fellowships
- Joslin Clinic of Harvard University Diabetes and Metabolism
- New England Deaconess Hospital Boston Diabetes and Metabolism
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Endocrinology
Dr. Nicholas Henry Ellias Mezitis, MD, PhD's Practice location
Ohio University
803 FARSON ST 100 -BELPRE, OH 45714Get Direction
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Empowering Patients with Education, Cutting-Edge Treatments, and a Focus on Lifestyle
Athens and Belpre, Ohio – Nicholas Henry Ellias Mezitis, MD, PhD, a distinguished endocrinologist and nutrition specialist, is making significant strides in the field of diabetes management and holistic health restoration. With over four decades of experience, Dr. Mezitis is committed to empowering patients through education, innovative treatment methods, and a focus on the critical role of nutrition and lifestyle in reversing illness and preventing disease.
Since joining the faculty at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2014, Dr. Mezitis has held the position of Clinical Professor of Specialty Medicine and serves as the Clinical Director of the University Medical Associates Diabetes Endocrine Care and Education Center. He is also a senior attending physician and consultant at OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital and an investigator at the Diabetes Institute of Ohio University. His extensive expertise in endocrinology is further showcased through his role as a senior consultant at the Belpre Medical Campus: Department of Endocrinology.
In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Mezitis is the Founder and President of Mezitis Education Research, LLC (MER), where he focuses on patient empowerment and education to restore health through lifestyle changes. His philosophy is encapsulated in the MER maxim: "Rhythm is health; chaos is illness; flat line is death," highlighting the importance of metabolic harmony. MER prioritizes proper nutrition and the informed use of technological advances to foster research and educational activities aimed at enhancing patient care.
Dr. Mezitis’ educational journey began in Europe, where he earned his Medical Degree from Heidelberg University in Germany after commencing his studies at the National Kapodistrian University in Athens, Greece. He further honed his skills through rigorous training, including an internship at George Washington University Hospital and a residency in internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Mezitis completed fellowships in diabetes and metabolism at the prestigious Joslin Clinic of Harvard University and the New England Deaconess Hospital Boston, as well as in endocrinology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and other renowned institutions.
Throughout his career, Dr. Mezitis has directed the Clinical Pharmacology Program at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center, founded the Mezitis Education Research Institute, LLC and Clinical Consultant Services International Ltd., as well as maintained an active consultation practice in Manhattan. His commitment to patient education has led to a deeper understanding of the origins of illness as disruptions in vital rhythms, guiding his patients toward restoring vital harmony primarily through nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Dr. Mezitis is an active member of several esteemed organizations, including 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. His contributions to medical literature, coupled with his role as a reviewer for various journals, underscore his dedication to advancing knowledge in his field.
Fluent in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and Greek, Dr. Mezitis’s multicultural background enriches his approach to patient care, allowing him to effectively communicate and connect with diverse populations.
Dr. Nicholas Henry Ellias Mezitis stands at the forefront of endocrinology and nutrition, championing a holistic approach to health that empowers patients and improves lives. His innovative work in diabetes management is a testament to his commitment to restoring health and promoting wellness through education and lifestyle change.
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