Category: Diabetes

Diabetes and Hypertension
Posted on by Leslie Branon

High blood pressure (or hypertension) and diabetes often occur together. One theory as to their link is that both conditions share common risk factors such as obesity, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle. It is estimated that two out of every three people with diabetes also report having high blood pressure. 

High blood pressure is defined as consistent readings that exceed 120/80 (systolic/diastolic pressure).

The American Diabetes Association recently updated its Standards of Care in Diabetes which referenced the importance of managing cardiovascular risk factors (ie: hypertension) alongside diabetes treatment. 

One key recommendation made was that blood pressure should be taken at every routine clinical exam for people with diabetes, or at least a minimum of every six months. 

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, our team of board-certified endocrinologists guide patients  through their diabetes treatment to help them lead the fullest, most active life possible despite the challenges of this chronic disease and accompaniments like high blood pressure.  

Here are some tips that our diabetes experts recommend for helping to improve hypertension while also helping to promote healthy blood glucose levels:

  • Get plenty of physical activity, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week for most adults
  • Speak with your physician about losing weight if overweight and about what your target goal weight should be
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet full of whole grains, brightly-colored fruits and vegetables, and lean meats and proteins 
  • Use herbs and spices to enhance food instead of excess sugar, sodium and fats
  • Quit smoking
  • Limit alcohol consumption 

If your high blood pressure persists despite healthy lifestyle changes, your physician may suggest medication to help lower it.

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, all of our treatment plans are personally tailored to best meet your unique healthcare needs. In addition to diabetes management, we also offer heart disease prevention and weight loss counseling services. 

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.

The Basics of Blood Sugar Monitoring  
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Blood glucose monitoring is a key component to effective diabetes management. How high or low your blood sugar is throughout the day can have a direct effect on both your physical and mental well-being. 

If your blood sugar is too low, it can make it difficult to focus and function. If it’s too high, it can not only impact your ability to function in the moment, but over time it may cause damage to your internal organs. This can increase your risk for other health issues such as stroke, heart attack, chronic kidney disease, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and more.

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, our team of board-certified endocrinologists want to set our diabetes patients up for success by recommending blood sugar monitoring routines that are efficient so that daily life and taking insulin and other medications are as easy as possible. 

Here are some basic reminders for smart blood glucose testing.

When should I check my blood sugar?

General guidelines for when to test your blood sugar levels each day are:

  • First thing in the morning when you wake up before eating or drinking
  • Before eating each meal
  • Roughly two hours after each meal
  • Before bedtime 

Your endocrinologist may give you special instructions on when to test during the day depending on your diabetes diagnosis (Type 1 or Type 2) and insulin protocol. 

How do I check my blood sugar?

The traditional method for checking blood glucose levels is a finger prick to draw blood which is then placed on a special test strip read by a glucose meter. Today there is a newer advancement in gauging blood sugar levels via a CGM, or Continuous Glucose Monitor, that uses a small transmitter under the skin to send real-time readings to a digital device like a phone or computer. 

You and your physician will decide what is the most convenient and effective method for you. A TD&E, we carefully tailor each of our patient’s treatment to their unique individual needs. 

What should my target blood sugar levels be? 

Target blood sugar levels will vary from person-to-person depending on key factors such as:

  • Age
  • Other medical conditions (such as pregnancy) or medications prescribed 
  • Length of your diabetes diagnosis 
  • Cardiovascular condition 

The American Diabetes Association recommends general target ranges as follows (for non-pregnant individuals):

  • Before a meal: 80–130 mg/dL
  • After a meal ( 2 hours): Less than 180 mg/dL

Tracking Your Blood Sugar Levels

You should establish an easy way to track your blood sugar readings every day whether it’s writing them down or entering them digitally so they are easily accessible and can be shared with your doctor whenever needed. Most glucometers are able to record your readings, though memory storage varies depending on the glucometer.

Don’t be discouraged if your readings fluctuate from time-to-time. Things like stress, travel, illness or other medications, and too much or too little physical activity can easily offset your regular blood sugar levels. 

Achieving optimal blood sugar levels every day takes dedication to routine and healthy eating and lifestyle choices. Managing diabetes can be a challenging task, but at TD&E we are here to assist and guide you.

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.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?
Posted on by Leslie Branon


Type 2 diabetes and heart disease can stem from and are associated with a set of common factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar levels, obesity, and physical inactivity. 

When these conditions occur together it is defined as metabolic syndrome. 

Currently up to one-third of all adults in the United States have metabolic syndrome. 

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology (TD&E), our team of board-certified endocrinologists and diabetes specialists offer a variety of options to help prevent heart disease and manage weight loss in order to avoid developing metabolic syndrome and other serious conditions. 

What causes metabolic syndrome? 

One of the main contributors in developing metabolic syndrome is being overweight or obese. You are at a significantly higher risk for metabolic syndrome if your body is ‘apple-shaped,’ which refers to carrying extra weight around the abdomen. 

Other common risk factors for metabolic syndrome may include:

  • Advanced age
  • Ethnicity, with Hispanics reported to be at the highest risk 
  • A diagnosis of pre-diabetes, gestational diabetes, or a family history of diabetes
  • High blood pressure or cholesterol
  • Insulin resistance, where the body has a hard time processing sugars

What are some symptoms of metabolic syndrome? 

There are no common symptoms that point towards metabolic syndrome, that is why it is important to get evaluated with your primary care doctor every 1 to 3 years, depending on your age and risk factors. 

How can you prevent developing metabolic syndrome? 

Many of the factors associated with metabolic syndrome can be improved if not fully reversed with dedicated lifestyle changes. Some healthy habits that our endocrinology experts recommend for preventing metabolic syndrome and the risk for diabetes and heart disease are:

  • Eating a well-balanced diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins
  • Monitoring how much salt and sugar are in your diet
  • Aiming for at least 30 minutes of physical activity, at least five days a week
  • Losing weight as directed by your physician
  • Stopping smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation

At TD&E, we offer cardiovascular risk assessment including Advanced Lipid Testing and supportive weight loss counseling and management. 

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.

What is diabetes burnout?
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Diabetes is a chronic condition, meaning that it must be managed 24/7 and 365 days a year for those who live with it. If your blood sugar is out of balance, your body will suffer.

The level of detail you must consistently devote to what you eat and drink, and how often, coupled with administering medications and testing your blood can be draining and downright exhausting. 

The sense of feeling overwhelmed about managing this condition in particular so meticulously is known as ‘diabetes burnout,’ or diabetes distress, something that affects one in five diabetics according to the American Diabetes Association.

One of our diabetes experts and board-certified endocrinologists, Dr. Lucy Esteve, shared her thoughts on diabetes burnout in a recent article for Health Central. 

What is diabetes burnout?

“I often tell my patients that diabetes is a full-time, ‘24/7’ job without paid time off,” says Dr. Esteve.  “You must continuously be planning ahead, troubleshooting, and making decisions.” 

The burnout can come from the daily management of the disease itself, but can also be triggered by factors like the financial stress of purchasing insulin and medications, or the social ramifications of not being able to eat in the same manner as family and friends. 

“Even when you do everything “right,” she explains, “you don’t always get the outcome that you want or expect, leading to further frustration.”

What are some signs of diabetes burnout?

Common signs of diabetes burnout may include:

  • Disengagement from or apathy about your diabetes care such as neglecting to test your blood sugars or take insulin shots
  • Missing regular appointments with your endocrinologist or other physicians 
  • Difficulty coping with stress and making rash, unwise food choices that could affect your blood glucose levels
  • Feeling overwhelmed, sad, or angry 
  • Withdrawal from family and friends 

What are some ways to help alleviate diabetes burnout?

Dr. Esteve shares that “I aim to eliminate any feelings of guilt that they (patients) may have for not managing their diabetes perfectly.” 

She urges those who are experiencing this type of distress to reach out to loved ones first, or their caregivers, to let them know how they’re feeling and to:

  • Seek help from your endocrinologist or other medical professionals, such as dieticians, physical therapists, or psychologists
  • Find a support group with other diabetics so that you can lean on each other for encouragement 
  • Speak with your endocrinologist about streamlining your medications and blood testing routine so that it is as easy to manage as possible
  • Try to balance other stresses in life, like family or work obligations, with activities or hobbies that bring you personal joy and peace, as a little self care goes a long way!

Finally, remember that you are not alone on this health journey to manage your diabetes. Please reach out to someone you trust, including our team at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, for help if you are feeling overwhelmed. 

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.

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