Author: Leslie Branon

holiday diabetes tips
Managing Diabetes this Holiday Season
Posted on by Leslie Branon

The holiday season is in full swing, which means there are a lot of food-filled festivities coming up! Navigating parties, meals, and much anticipated holiday sweet treats can be a challenge, especially if you are managing diabetes. The increased temptations and busy schedules make it difficult to stay mindful of your diabetes management, but we’re here to help. 

Here are some tips for managing diabetes this holiday season:

Plan Ahead

During the holidays it’s not always possible to know exactly what food options you’ll have at your next gathering, but you can still take a few minutes to ensure you’ve got a plan. Eat close to your normal times and don’t skip meals to keep your blood sugar levels stable. If you’ll be going somewhere that will require you to eat outside of your regular mealtime, prepare a snack. And if you’ll be attending a gathering, offer to bring along a healthy dish for everyone to share. 

Stay on Top of your Blood Sugar

Your normal schedule and routines will often be disrupted during the holidays. As you are likely to consume an increase of carbohydrates, check your blood sugar more frequently and make changes to your routine and diet as needed.

Remain Active

You might be feeling tired after a big meal and family gathering, but it’s important to make physical activity a top priority. Will you be spending some extra time with family and friends this holiday season? Ask them if they’d like to join you for a walk! 

Don’t Forget your Favorite Holiday Treats

The holidays come around once a year, and you don’t want to miss out on your family member’s famous pie recipe! Make sure you track your treats in your meal plan and consume them in moderation.

Talk with a NextStepMD Health and Wellness Coach

We can help you decrease your stress about diabetes management this holiday season! Our NextStepMD Weight Loss Program is designed to help you lose weight, maintain weight loss, and gain better control of your health. In our one-on-one sessions, we work closely with our patients to recommend the methods that offer the greatest opportunities of success. We’ll educate, motivate and support you throughout this holiday season!

Despite the challenges brought during the holiday season, with a little planning, you’ll be able to stay on track with your diabetes management and enjoy all the celebrations. Our team here at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology wishes you a happy and healthy holiday season!

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. 

Welcome Dr. Kajal Shah
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology is thrilled to welcome Dr. Kajal Shah to our team of experts in endocrinology. Dr. Shah’s major areas of interests are thyroid and adrenal gland pathology. 

Born and raised in India, she went to Medical College, Baroda and then moved to the United States for her residency. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Northwell Health in New York, where she was in the brunt of COVID-19 pandemic and responsible for independently managing several critical patients. During her training, Dr. Shah became interested in endocrinology and moved to Long Island, New York to complete her endocrinology fellowship at SUNY Stony Brook University. 

“The best part about endocrinology is being able to maintain long term relationships with patients and helping not just the patient, but sometimes their entire family with small lifestyle changes,” Dr. Shah says. “It is a constantly evolving field that requires analytical thinking and decision making, which is quite evidence-based.”

When describing why she joined Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology, Dr. Shah says she was impressed by the like-minded doctors and staff and felt she would fit right in. 

“Texas Diabetes is a large group practice with ample opportunities for robust clinical experience, clinical trial-based research and leadership,” explains Dr. Shah.

Dr. Shah is a member of the Endocrine Society, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the American College of Physicians. Outside of work, Dr. Shah enjoys traveling, swimming, and cooking. She moved to Austin to be closer to her family and is excited to explore the greater Austin area!

To make an appointment with Dr. Shah, please call Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology 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 with helpful wellness and health information.

National Diabetes Month
Type 2 Diabetes Risk by Age
Posted on by Leslie Branon

An estimated 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes and the vast majority (90-95%) have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t respond normally to insulin. Over time, insulin resistance causes your body to require even more insulin, resulting in high blood sugar. 

While adults over 45 are at a greater risk for type 2 diabetes, it can occur at any age because genetics along with unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices play a large role in developing type 2 diabetes. This National Diabetes Month, we’re breaking down the risks of type 2 diabetes by age group and what you can do to prevent it. 

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

The risk of type 2 diabetes is a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors. You are at a higher risk if: 

  • A parent or sibling has diabetes
  • You are overweight
  • You are over the age of 45
  • History of gestational diabetes
  • History of prediabetes
  • African Americans and Latinos are at a higher risk

Risk by Age

Children and Teens

While more common in adults, cases of type 2 diabetes in children and teens are on the rise. Most children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have a family member who has it, but there are also risks due to lifestyle and diet to consider. Early intervention and lifestyle changes can potentially reverse type 2 diabetes in children and teens.

Young Adults

Young adults experience many life changes – like living and eating on their own for the first time – that provide unique challenges and risks of developing type 2 diabetes. It’s important for this age group to establish and maintain a good diet and consistent exercise habits through these lifestyle changes.

Middle-Aged Adults

In adults 35-45, the risk of a new onset type 2 diabetes diagnosis increases because unhealthy eating and activity habits are usually established. At this age, weight gain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and lack of exercise can increase the risk of developing diabetes.

Older Adults

Adults over age 65 have unique considerations when it comes to a type 2 diabetes diagnosis and are more likely to experience insulin resistance and production later in life. Risks that increase with age, such as limited mobility, cognitive issues, and other autoimmune diseases, present additional challenges for this age group.

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention

At any age, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

  • Develop healthy eating habits
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Incorporate exercise into your routine
  • Quit smoking
  • Control blood pressure

At Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology, our team of board certified endocrinologists, certified diabetes educators, and health coaches help diabetics take control of their health. We offer a personalized approach and a full range of diabetes services including NextStepMD weight loss program, medications, clinical trials, continuous glucose monitoring, and insulin pumps. 

To schedule an appointment in Central Austin, South Austin or Round Rock, call 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.

Is there a connection between your thyroid and high cholesterol?
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Cholesterol is a substance that your body needs to build cells and produce hormones and vitamin D. You’ve probably heard about the importance of monitoring your cholesterol levels, but did you know that there can be a connection between your thyroid and high cholesterol? In some cases, treating an underactive thyroid could resolve cholesterol problems.

What causes high cholesterol?

There are a few main causes of high cholesterol to consider:

  • Diet – Consuming too many foods that are high in fat.
  • Genetics – Some people inherit genes that cause them to produce too much cholesterol.
  • Hypothyroidism – The decreased metabolism caused by this condition can impact your levels of total cholesterol. 

What is the connection between your thyroid and high cholesterol?

Thyroid hormones regulate your body’s metabolism. If you are affected by hypothyroidism, your metabolism is slowed. This impacts the breakdown of cholesterol and triglycerides in your body, leading to high cholesterol levels.

If you have high cholesterol levels, it’s important to talk with your doctor about whether a thyroid screening can be ordered to avoid undiagnosed hypothyroidism and to ensure you are receiving the correct treatment.

What are some lifestyle changes that will help lower cholesterol?

If you still have high cholesterol after testing for and treating a thyroid diagnosis, there are some steps you can take to help get your cholesterol back into balance – the biggest changes being your diet and exercise routine.  

Incorporate more foods into your diet that substitute monounsaturated fats and try to eliminate trans fats, which are often found in processed foods. It’s also helpful to make sure you are getting enough omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber in your diet. Eating more foods like salmon, almonds, oats, beans, and vegetables will help you to accomplish this. 

Consistent exercise is also an important step to lower your cholesterol. Try incorporating more walks into your day or take a yoga class! Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day can make all the difference.

We know that these big lifestyle changes can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help! Our NextStepMD Weight Loss Program is designed to help you lose weight, maintain weight loss, and gain better control of your health. We offer one-on-one sessions and work closely with our patients to recommend the methods that offer the greatest opportunities of success. We’ll educate, motivate and support you as you establish new habits. Our medical team will help guide you through the program with ease and support!

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.

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