Author: Leslie Branon

type 1.5 diabetes
What is Type 1.5 Diabetes? 
Posted on by Leslie Branon

While many people are familiar with diabetes and know the difference between Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 (T2D), there may be less recognition surrounding Type 1.5 diabetes. 

Type 1.5 was trending during the summer months when pop star Lance Bass revealed that he was recently diagnosed with it. 

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology (TD&E), our team of board-certified endocrinologists treat all forms of diabetes.  

Here’s what you should know about the often misunderstood Type 1.5.

What is Type 1.5 diabetes?

Type 1.5 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, also known as latent autoimmune disease in adults (LADA).  It shares some characteristics of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and typically develops later in adulthood.

Like T1D, with Type 1.5 there is a lack of insulin production, and like T2D, it occurs later in life, not during the early childhood years. 

However unlike T2D, Type 1.5 it stems from an autoimmune reaction in beta cells that gradually weakens the pancreas and diminishes its ability to produce insulin.

Type 1.5 is thought to be triggered by previous damage done to the pancreas, from illness or infection, or from genetics and a family history of other autoimmune disorders. 

What are symptoms of Type 1.5 diabetes? 

Type 1.5 diabetes symptoms can be subtle at first, and they often mirror those of T2D, including:

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Frequent urination, especially at night
  • Increased thirst or dehydration 
  • Blurred vision 

Those diagnosed with Type 1.5 diabetes typically are not obese or overweight and are usually  over 30 years of age.  

How is Type 1.5 diabetes diagnosed?

Arriving at a Type 1.5 diagnosis may take some time, and your endocrinologist may order additional testing. A definitive diagnosis is usually reached via a combination of fasting glucose tests and other comprehensive blood screenings like antibody testing. 

What is the treatment for Type 1.5 diabetes? 

It is important to realize that a diagnosis of Type 1.5 diabetes is serious (but very manageable), and that if left untreated, your body could fall into a state of diabetic ketoacidosis, or a buildup of dangerous acids in the bloodstream due to a lack of insulin. 

Type 1.5 can be treated with common diabetes medications like Metformin to start, but then supplemental insulin is often needed down the road.  At TD&E, we offer the most current options for convenient insulin delivery, such as insulin pumps. 

We also offer a variety of opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research trials that may enhance your traditional therapies.  We will work with you to establish a personalized treatment plan that best suits your lifestyle so that you can live fully with as little interruption as possible to your daily routine while successfully managing your diabetes.  

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.

type 1 diabetes tips
Navigating Life with Type 1 Diabetes and Tips for Those Newly Diagnosed 
Posted on by Leslie Branon

An estimated 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. As endocrinology specialists, we are often the first healthcare provider to diagnose a patient with diabetes. This National Diabetes Awareness Month, we asked one of our patients, 57-year-old Connie Chitwood-Vu, to share valuable advice for those newly diagnosed with this challenging condition.

Connie has lived with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) since she was just eight years old. As she approaches the 50th anniversary of her diagnosis, Connie has seen first-hand the advancements in diabetes technology and how it can dramatically change a patients approach to diabetes management. 

A Supportive Foundation

Growing up, Connie’s pediatrician also had T1D and provided her with an understanding of what it meant to live with diabetes. Connie was inspired by her experiences and passionate about helping others with T1D. She pursued a career in nutrition, becoming a registered dietitian and obtaining her diabetes certification.  Now, Connie supports patients and practices as a durable medical equipment supplier, specializing in diabetes devices. 

After moving to Georgetown in 2005, Connie became a patient at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology and has since built a relationship with the practice as both a patient and a professional. 

“I’ve always been impressed with Texas Diabetes and their commitment to offering the latest diabetes technology and advancing treatment through clinical research,” said Connie. 

Tips for Those Newly Diagnosed

Connie understands that being diagnosed with T1D can be overwhelming, so she offers these essential tips for newly diagnosed individuals:

  1. Find an Endocrinologist: Building a strong healthcare team is crucial. A specialist has the expertise to help you achieve your glucose targets with the correct medications and dosages.
  2. Learn About Available Technology: Insulin pumps, connected insulin pens, and CGMs can be your allies. These tools can simplify life with diabetes, making it far more manageable than it would be without them.
  3. Focus on Healthy Eating: Incorporating whole foods, rather than processed foods, into your meals and avoiding sugary drinks can make a big difference in managing blood sugar levels.
  4. Stay Active: Regular physical activity is important for managing diabetes, weight, and heart health. Connie’s personal goal is to walk 10,000 steps a day!
  5. Stay Informed: The world of diabetes is constantly evolving. Be open to learning about new developments and treatments to make informed decisions about your care.

Connie hopes to inspire others living with T1D to embrace their journey, seek support, and leverage technology to lead healthier lives.

Consult with an Endocrinology Specialist at Texas Diabetes

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services, heart disease prevention,  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.

What is smart insulin?
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Smart technology shapes everything we do these days, including having a hand in healthcare and medical therapies. It has recently become more widely used in treating diabetes through wearable devices and newer and more improved forms of insulin

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology (TD&E), our team of board-certified endocrinologists treat all forms of diabetes and we are always engaged in research to study more innovative and cutting-edge technologies that may help our patients.

People living with diabetes need to constantly monitor and regulate their blood sugar levels and insulin. As they need to supplement the insulin that their body lacks, any time we can discover a better, more efficient way for patients to receive insulin, the better quality of life they can lead. 

Research shows that smart insulin technology has the potential to do that.

What is smart insulin?

Smart insulin is administered via a reusable injection pen that is connected to a smartphone app to more accurately and efficiently support insulin management. The smart software system can decipher glucose readings and automatically calculate and recommend dosages for the user while also generating reminders and alerts to keep them on track and their blood sugar levels within normal ranges. 

Other developments in advancing insulin efficiency include ‘glucose-responsive insulins’ where the insulin is delivered in injections or capsule form. This long-lasting insulin is stored in the body until it ‘senses’ an insulin boost is needed, and then it is activated. 

What is the benefit of smart insulin technology?

These new smart insulin technologies in development are specifically designed to help those with insulin dependent diabetes.

“Our goal in researching new and better diabetes treatments is to ease the burden of constant testing, managing and administering insulin,” said diabetes specialist and board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Jean Chen.

“We believe smart insulin technology can offer a better quality of life for patients with insulin dependent diabetes by providing an insulin support system that is seamless and very closely mirrors how the body is meant to naturally process and balance glucose.” 

When will smart insulin products be available? 

Various forms of smart insulin pens are available to patients. New forms of smart insulin and glucose responsive insulin are the subject of clinical research trials all over the world. TD&E recently participated in the Novo Nordisk ONWARDS trial, a type of weekly injectable insulin known as insulin icodec.  It is currently in the FDA approval stage to assess safety and efficacy.

TD&E prides itself on offering patients the opportunity to participate in clinical research trials that may enhance their current treatments and potentially provide additional support or alleviation of symptoms related to their condition. 

More about our clinical research department and available trials can be found here.

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, heart disease prevention,  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.

fatty liver disease
What you need to know about fatty liver disease and alcohol
Posted on by Leslie Branon

The liver is a multi-tasking organ that performs many essential functions for the body, one of which is detoxification. Sometimes the liver itself can accumulate too many toxins, such as in the case of fatty liver disease, when harmful fat deposits build up and cause inflammation. This can lead sometimes lead to more permanent damage, known as cirrhosis.

Approximately 25 percent of adult Americans are living with one of the most chronic liver diseases known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Those with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are heavily prone to developing this condition. It is estimated that up to 70% of those living with T2D also suffer from  NAFLD. 

What is NAFLD?

NAFLD is the accumulation of fat in the liver that is unrelated to alcohol use, as opposed to alcoholic fatty liver disease which can be attributed directly to excessive alcohol consumption. While the exact cause of NAFLD can be hard to pinpoint, however, conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol are frequent triggers.

If too much fat builds up, the liver’s ability to function properly and eliminate toxins starts to decrease and can eventually shut down altogether. This leaves the body susceptible to severe sickness from the accumulated toxins. 

Unfortunately, NAFLD often develops without any significant symptoms.

How is NAFLD diagnosed?

NAFLD can be detected and further characterized through a non-invasive imaging study called FibroScan. Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology is one of the first endocrinology clinics in Central Austin to offer this innovative testing.

FibroScan technology allows our endocrinologists to gauge the amount of fat in the liver by observing the degree of stiffness in liver tissue.  The FibroScan evaluation is painless, performed conveniently in our offices, and only takes about 15 minutes to complete. 

NAFLD and Alcohol

If a diagnosis of NAFLD is made, one of the common questions our board-certified endocrinologists get is how drinking alcoholic beverages can affect this condition.

Endocrinologist Dr. Ishita Prakash Patel offers the following guidance to patients.

Is moderately drinking safe for those who are diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver?

Abstinence from drinking is the safest option for those who already have the diagnosis of fatty liver disease.

What are the benefits of alcohol avoidance for those with NAFLD?

The benefits are stabilizing the liver disease and not aiding in progression of liver cell injury and the development of fibrosis, which is permanent.

Do any beverages actually help reduce liver fat?

A healthy balanced diet with vegetables, fruits and whole grains is important. It is also very important to lose weight if you are overweight or obese. There are no specific beverages which are proven to reduce liver fat. Drinking beverages without added sugars or chemicals are best. It is also recommended to stay away from processed and high fat foods.

Dr. Patel shares that “there is a rapidly growing percentage of the population that is developing NAFLD, as it is closely associated with obesity and diabetes.”

It is important to be aware of the potential for NAFLD if you possess one of the risk factors, such as diabetes, and get screened for it as “this condition can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, which are more permanent and dangerous conditions.”

How is NAFLD treated?

Lifestyle changes are typically the first, and most effective, form of treatment recommended. Your physician may suggest the following modifications to encourage healthier liver function:

  • Eating a balanced diet low in fats and sugar and high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
  • Maintaining a healthy weight, or losing weight if necessary
  • Exercising regularly, at least 150 minutes per week for the average adult
  • Quitting smoking
  • Properly managing (and monitoring) chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol

Some medications and dietary supplements may also be helpful in relieving the liver of fatty buildup. Our team of endocrinology experts will work closely with your physician or gastroenterologist to help create a treatment plan that works best for you.

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