Category: Diabetes

How to Ease Holiday Travel with Diabetes 
Posted on by Leslie Branon

The holiday season is here, and with it comes the excitement of decorating, gift-giving, family, friends, food and possibly travel. While all of these things are what make the holidays the most special time of the year, they can also cause stress for some – especially those living with diabetes.

Holiday food indulgences and travel can be challenging with diabetes if you are not prepared, but they can absolutely be enjoyed if you take the time to plan ahead.

How can I travel during the holidays and still manage my diabetes effectively? 

Here are five tips for holiday travel from our team of board-certified endocrinologists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology: 

  • Check in with your physicians and endocrinologist and make sure that all your prescriptions are filled before you leave town.
  • Take care when packing your medications and bring extra supplies to have with you in case of a travel delay or an emergency (insulin, test strips, syringes, batteries for glucose monitors, etc.). If traveling by airplane, stash your medications in a carry-on bag so that they are easily accessible and not stuck in checked luggage if it’s lost.
  • Pack healthy snacks for your journey so that you do not have to rely on airport or rest  stop food that is typically full of added sweeteners, carbs, fats and sodium. Safe options that will help keep blood sugars low include hard-boiled eggs, sliced veggies or fruit, nuts, portable salads with grilled meats, or sandwiches on whole-wheat/low-carb bread or tortillas.
  • Once you have reached your destination, adjust the timing of your medications or injections to fit the new time zone you’ve arrived in, if applicable.  Set alarms for yourself on phones, smartwatches or Ipads so that you do not miss your scheduled dosages while enjoying your holiday activities. 
  • Test often to avoid any serious blood sugar highs or lows. Take into consideration your surroundings also and know that higher altitudes and cooler or warmer temperatures could have an effect on your readings.

Finally, remember to enjoy your trip and special time with family and friends! 

For information on how to safely navigate airport security with diabetes medications and medical supplies, visit the TSA/ U.S. Transportation Security Administration. 

Try new and festive foods in moderation and practice healthy portion control to avoid overindulging and unexpected spikes. More on smart eating tips for the holidays from TD&E 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  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 1.5 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.

Next Page »