Author: Leslie Branon

senior drinking water outside
Can Your GLP-1 Medication Make You More Prone to Heat Illness?
Posted on by Leslie Branon

GLP-1 agonists—such as semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro)—have revolutionized diabetes and weight management. While they help improve blood sugar control and support weight loss, it’s important to understand how these medications, along with diabetes itself, can increase the risk of heat-related illness in Central Texas’ summer heat.

Why GLP-1s and Heat Don’t Always Mix

1. Digestive effects that can dehydrate
GLP-1s often slow digestion, resulting in side effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea/constipation. Coupled with high temperatures and humidity, this may push you into dehydration faster, even on a seemingly normal day.

2. Reduced appetite, reduced thirst
These medications can suppress both appetite and thirst, making it easier to overlook the need for fluids, especially when you’re sweating more in the heat.

Why People with Diabetes Face Greater Heat Risk

Even without GLP-1s, people with diabetes are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. Elevated blood sugar levels can lead to dehydration, and certain diabetes complications, like nerve damage or reduced sweat gland function, can impair the body’s ability to cool down. Additionally, people with diabetes may not feel early warning signs of heat exhaustion as clearly, especially if they have neuropathy. Some diabetes-related blood pressure medications (like diuretics or beta-blockers) can also affect fluid balance or heart rate, further complicating the body’s heat response.

Making Safe Choices in the Heat

Here are practical tips to reduce your risk of heat-related illness:

  • Hydration is essential: Carry water or electrolyte drinks and sip regularly, even before you feel thirsty. Avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages.
  • Choose cooler hours for activity: Exercise early morning or evening when temperatures are lower and humidity is less intense.
  • Dress smart: Opt for light, loose-fitting clothing, sunscreen, and protective accessories like hats or cooling towels.
  • Monitor the heat index: Central Texas summers often reach triple digits, and with humidity, it can feel like 104°F or higher. Avoid going outdoors during peak heat hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., to reduce your risk of heat-related illness.
  • Protect temperature-sensitive supplies: Insulin, pumps, glucose strips, and sensors can lose effectiveness or be damaged in high heat.
  • Track symptoms and call your care team: Watch for nausea, dizziness, weakness, confusion, or fainting, and stay connected if you’re experiencing side effects or changes in glucose.

If you’re managing diabetes with GLP-1s or other medications, be sure to plan ahead to stay on track and avoid heat-related complications.

Diabetes, Thyroid and Osteoporosis Specialists in Austin, TX 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our endocrinologists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online.  

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

Cortisol Cocktails Are Trending—But Do They Actually Work?
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Are the trending cortisol cocktails a magic cure for adrenal disorders? Lately on social media platforms like TikTok, influencers are claiming health benefits such as stress relief and weight loss from special “cortisol cocktails” created to treat adrenal insufficiencies. Most experts, including our endocrinologists, say they are not truly effective. 

Adrenal disorders occur when the adrenal glands (which help regulate things like blood pressure, immunity, metabolism, and stress response) don’t produce the correct amount of hormones. 

Examples of adrenal disorders that our team of board-certified endocrinologists treat at TD&E include Cushing’s Syndrome, Hyperaldosteronism, Pheochromocytoma and Addison’s Disease or Adrenal Insufficiency. 

What is a cortisol cocktail? 

Cortisol cocktails claim to reduce the effects of cortisol/stress on the body (produced by the adrenal glands). Common ingredients in these concoctions include orange juice and coconut water as well as salt, cream of tarter, and ginger. 

Fans of these homemade potions claim that this unique combination of vitamins, potassium and sodium can heal the adrenal glands and prevent the excess production of cortisol. 

Not really so, says medical professionals and TD&E endocrinologist Dr. Jean Chen. 

“There is nothing dangerous or harmful in drinking this cocktail of ingredients,” says Dr. Chen.  “However, there is currently no scientific evidence to show that it has an actual effect on the adrenal glands. It’s best to seek guidance from an endocrinologist if you feel that you are suffering from adrenal insufficiency.”

Some common symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are:

  • Extreme fatigue 
  • Loss of appetite or sudden weight loss
  • Low blood pressure 
  •  Dizziness 
  • Darkened skin in areas with folds like the elbows, knees, and toes 

Effective Cortisol Management 

As these cortisol cocktails continue to trend on social media, or various versions of them are being sold online, doctors remind those who buy into the hype that real relief from adrenal fatigue or cortisol-induced stress largely comes from healthy habits like:

  • Eating a well-balanced diet
  • Exercising regularly 
  • Getting plenty of quality sleep (six to eight hours for most adults)
  • Seeking medical help when needed  

Depending on the condition, adrenal disorders are typically treated with medication, radiation therapy, and/or surgery. 

At TD&E, we are here to assist with your adrenal condition and explore the proven therapies to support your unique case and symptoms. 

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Thyroid & Adrenal Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services  and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online.  

Who are the key participants in a clinical research trial? 
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Today’s clinical research trials could lead to tomorrow’s most promising treatments and cures. 

Clinical research trials test new forms of medical intervention (such as drugs or a procedure) in order to advance the care for so many serious conditions, like diabetes which we treat here at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology (TD&E). 

At TD&E, we have been dedicated to actively participating in clinical research for the past decade, and we offer a variety of trials for patients to pursue in areas of Diabetes, Thyroid, Osteoporosis, PCOS, Cholesterol, and Obesity/Weight Loss. 

Our goal with clinical research trials at TD&E is first and foremost to improve the quality of lives of our patients.

Who are the key participants in a clinical research trial?

In addition to the patients, other key members of a clinical trial team include the principal investigator and the sponsor. 

Here’s a closer look at each of these roles: 

Patients: they are the ones who volunteer to experience/test out a new technology that shows promise in improving a certain condition or disease. They benefit from participating in clinical research trials by 1) having access to new treatments that are not yet available to the public, 2) playing a more active role in their own health by getting a really in-depth view of what they are suffering from, and 3) they are typically compensated for their time spent in the study and traveling to and from a doctor’s office. 

Principal Investigators: the principal investigator (or PI) is a doctor, or another member of the practice’s medical team, who leads the research efforts and monitors the patients’ medical results, experience, and feedback. 

At TD&E, the following members of our team of board-certified endocrinologists and medical professionals serve as PIs for our clinical research trials:

Central Austin Principal Investigators:

Round Rock Principal Investigators:

South Austin Principal Investigators:

Sponsor: the sponsor is responsible for initiating and funding the trial. It may be an individual doctor, company, or medical school/institution. Once the trial is completed and the data is compiled from the patients and PI, the sponsor works to take the new treatment or technology to the public sector so that others may benefit from it. 

How can I participate in a clinical research trial at TD&E?

More about our research trials can be found here. Please let your endocrinologist know you are interested in participating in our program and they can discuss with you which currently enrolling trials would be the most beneficial to you and your particular condition. 

We are always extremely grateful to our patients who consider volunteering their time to help us in the advancement of scientific research. 

Endocrine Research in Austin, TX

You can learn more about our research department and currently enrolling clinical trials here. Please feel free to contact us at (512) 334-3505, option 4, to speak to a research coordinator about our enrolling studies.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

Women and Thyroid Disease
Posted on by Leslie Branon

The thyroid is a small gland at the base of your neck that produces the  hormone that regulates body’s metabolism, growth and development. Factors that may lead the thyroid to malfunction include autoimmune disorders, an iodine deficiency, some medications, and even stress. 

If it’s not working properly, it can result in a number of health issues, especially for women. 

According to the American Thyroid Association, one in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder in her lifetime. 

In honor of World Thyroid Day on May 25th our team of board-certified endocrinologists and thyroid specialists are helping spread awareness about the common thyroid issues affecting women, like hypothyroidism (underactive) and hyperthyroidism (overactive) and Hashimoto’s Disease. 

Symptoms that may indicate you have a thyroid problem are fatigue, restlessness, change in heart beat, unexplained weight gain or loss, or irregular or absent periods. 

The greatest toll a troubled thyroid takes on a woman’s body is to her reproductive system. 

Here are the various stages and phases of the female reproductive cycle and how they are affected by the thyroid:

The Fertile Years 

Thyroid problems can affect ovulation (releasing an egg from the ovary) and impair fertility.  Thyroid problems can cause menstrual cycle irregularities (frequent cycles, no cycles or delayed cycles and increased bleeding)

Pregnancy & Post-Pregnancy

A thyroid issue during pregnancy, if left untreated, can be very serious and potentially damage the fetus (neuropsychological and cognitive impairment in the child) or lead to premature birth or stillbirth, miscarriage, preterm delivery, placental abruption, or pre-eclempsia, which dangerously elevates the mother’s blood pressure. Postpartum (after delivery), some women might have high thyroid levels due to postpartum thyroiditis.

Menopause & Bone Health

An overactive thyroid gland can bring on early menopause in some women, as early as 40 years old. It can also deplete bones of calcium and result in a common condition known as osteoporosis. 

How is thyroid disease treated? 

Successful treatment for both an overactive or underactive thyroid is often easily accomplished with medication prescribed by an endocrinologist. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits will also greatly support your thyroid treatment, such as following a well-balanced diet, getting enough sleep, not smoking, exercising regularly, and particularly for women, using weights to improve bone density. 

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Thyroid Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services  and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online.  

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

« Previous Page — Next Page »