Tag: clinical research

Type 2 Diabetes
Prediabetes: Could It Be You? Understanding the Warning Signs and How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Posted on by Leslie Branon

November is National Diabetes Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about one of the most common – and preventable – health challenges in the United States. Most people associate diabetes with managing insulin, avoiding sugar, or living with type 2 diabetes, but often overlooked is the in-between stage: prediabetes.

More than 98 million American adults, or roughly 1 in 3, have prediabetes, yet over 80% of them don’t know it. That means millions of people are walking around with blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as diabetes, without realizing their future health is at risk.

Prediabetes doesn’t always come with symptoms or warning signs. You may feel perfectly healthy and still have blood sugar levels that are quietly creeping upward. The silver lining is that with early detection, lifestyle changes, and proper medical support, prediabetes can often be reversed, preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes altogether.

What Is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. It’s a warning sign that your body is starting to have trouble managing blood sugar effectively, and an opportunity to take action before serious complications develop.

Why Prediabetes Matters

Prediabetes doesn’t always cause symptoms, so it can progress silently for years. Without intervention, many people with prediabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes within five years. Once type 2 diabetes develops, the risks grow dramatically, including higher chances of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision loss.

Even though prediabetes may feel like a “gray area,” it’s actually one of the most powerful opportunities for prevention. Taking action now can help protect your long-term health and even extend your lifespan.

Who Is at Risk?

While anyone can develop prediabetes, certain factors increase your likelihood, including:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
  • Being 45 years or older
  • Leading a sedentary lifestyle
  • Having high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels
  • Having a history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

If you check even one of these boxes, it’s worth getting screened. A simple blood test can tell you where you stand.

Subtle Signs to Watch Out For

Prediabetes often has no clear symptoms, which is why so many people are unaware they have it. However, some may notice:

  • Increased thirst or hunger
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent urination
  • Blurred vision

If you recognize any of these signs or have risk factors, ask your healthcare provider for a simple blood test to check your glucose levels.

How to Reduce Your Risk

The most effective way to prevent type 2 diabetes is by adopting healthy habits:

Lose a small amount of weight. If you are overweight, shedding even 5-7% of your body weight can dramatically reduce risk.

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. That’s just 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Walking, swimming, dancing, or cycling all count.

Eat balanced meals that involve fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates and whole grains. Limit sugary drinks and refined carbs.
Don’t smoke and limit alcohol intake.

Last but not lease, work with your healthcare team. Regular monitoring and preventive care can help you stay on track.

How Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology Can Help

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 each month as we provide you with helpful health and wellness information.

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.

clinical trial day
Honoring Clinical Trials Day: Advancing Endocrine Care Through Research
Posted on by Leslie Branon

May 20th marks Clinical Trials Day, a time to recognize the critical role research plays in driving innovation and improving healthcare outcomes and the research professionals who are committed to transform patients’ lives. 

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, we have actively participated in clinical research for the past decade, offering a variety of trials for patients to pursue in areas of Diabetes, Thyroid, Osteoporosis, PCOS, Cholesterol, and Obesity/Weight Loss.

In honor of Clinical Trials Day, we asked advanced practice providers Carrie Barlow, PA-C, CDCES and Amanda Bonazzi, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CDCES, to share how endocrine research has led to groundbreaking advancements in patient care and why they’re passionate about being involved. 

Why Endocrine Research Matters

Endocrine research plays a vital role in helping us address many of our modern-day public health issues and shapes the guidelines we use to determine the best treatment for our patients. 

“Having access to innovative therapies and technology has changed the landscape of how we manage our patients’ care,” says Amanda Bonazzi, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CDCES. “It is hard to imagine providing care to patients without these invaluable tools at our fingertips.”

Research not only leads to improvements in existing therapies and technology – it provides space for the development of novel treatments.

Carrie Barlow, PA-C, CDCES adds, “Without research, we wouldn’t be able to improve care or bring new treatments to our patients.”

Bringing Research to the Front Lines of Care

Both Bonazzi and Barlow find it rewarding to be part of a process that not only benefits their current patients, but also drives medical innovation across the country. 

“I enjoy seeing research patients because it allows me to contribute to healthcare in a different way,” Bonazzi shares. “It’s a preview of how new medications and therapies will impact patients now and in the future.”

Barlow agrees: “Engaging with research patients provides insights into the effectiveness of new therapies and interventions while also allowing me to contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge.” 

What Sets TD&E Research Apart

The research department at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology is a distinguishing feature of our practice. Both Barlow and Bonazzi emphasize how having research departments integrated into all three of our Austin-area locations gives patients early access to emerging treatments and keeps our team of experts on the cutting edge of care.

“Our commitment to research fosters a culture of continuous learning and innovation, ensuring that we remain the very best in providing patient care,” says Barlow.

And because research subjects are recruited from within the practice, patients benefit from both continuity of care and early access to the latest breakthroughs. 

“It gives our patients the opportunity to benefit from accessing new treatment options before they are FDA approved,” Bonazzi notes.

Why Patients Should Consider Participating

Certain endocrine treatments may be unaffordable or not covered by insurance, leaving patients with limited options to manage their condition. Clinical research can offer a pathway to care by providing access to therapies and technologies at no cost to the participant. 

Not only can it open doors to next generation therapies, but it also gives patients a chance to give back to the broader healthcare community.

“I encourage patients to participate because it offers access to new and potentially more effective treatments—and helps improve future care for others,” says Barlow.

Clinical Research Opportunities at TD&E

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.

Spotlight on Obesity Clinical Research Trials
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Clinical research trials test the effectiveness of a new treatment or therapy on volunteer patients during a development phase before being introduced to the public. 

Participating in clinical research trials is an integral part of our practice and provides Central Texans an opportunity to receive new and promising treatment and/or cutting edge technology.

Research participants do not have to be a current Texas Diabetes patient to enroll in a clinical trial and we are actively recruiting patients for obesity studies – both those with diabetes and those without diabetes. 

There is no cost for participation, and the provided medications and study-related labs and exams are free. In addition, most studies will compensate patients for their time and travel.

Obesity Clinical Research 

Our board-certified endocrinologists have served as principal investigators in obesity trials over the past decade to help patients with their weight loss management. Obesity is a serious condition that can lead to a variety of health problems including diabetes, heart disease or respiratory issues.

“We see research as a very important part of what we do at Texas Diabetes,” says endocrinology expert Dr. Thomas Blevins. “We are currently studying the next generation of obesity agents just as we studied the GLP-1 agonists that are available today.”

Dr. Blevins recently served as a co-author for a published study on a promising innovative obesity agent called Oforglipron.

“We are now offering a new obesity trial for an investigational drug that is being developed as a chronic weight management treatment,” explains Dr. Blevins. “To qualify for this study, participants must be living with obesity and have at least one weight-related health issue other than type 2 diabetes.”

Anyone interested in learning more about this study can contact our research department to learn more. 

Patient Success with TD&E Research Trials 

One TD&E patient who has participated in obesity clinical research is 61-year-old Carla. Three years ago, she was prediabetic and wanted help managing her weight, so she opted to participate in a three-year study that involved weekly shots, counting calories, and working with a TD&E study coordinator and registered dietician to help her reach her goals.

She completed the clinical research trial in December 2023 with the following positive results:

  • Shedding 130 pounds
  • Losing her prediabetic status
  • Eliminating her blood pressure medicine 

TD&E applauds Carla for her diligent efforts to tackle weight loss while contributing to the greater advancement of medicine and science! 

She encourages other patients looking for additional ways to improve their condition to take the first step by contacting TD&E to see what clinical research trials are available.

“The Texas Diabetes research team was my greatest cheerleader,” shares Carla. “Someone was always available to help keep track of my health and advise me every step of the way.”

To those who sign up for clinical studies, Dr. Blevins thanks them and says, “we are indebted to the patients who volunteer to take part in our research trials at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology.” 

Clinical Research Opportunities at TD&E

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.

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