Tag: diabetes management

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.

managing your diabetes
Tips for Managing Your Diabetes in the New Year 
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Successfully managing a chronic condition like diabetes day in and day out takes consistent effort to ensure your symptoms are in check and they do not worsen or cause greater medical complications.

With the start of the new year, now is a great time to evaluate what you are doing to take care of your overall health in general, as well as your diabetes.  

Here are some tips that our team of board-certified endocrinologists and diabetes experts suggest for effectively managing your diabetes, and you may notice that your cholesterol, blood pressure, and mental health potentially benefit as well!

Top Tips for Managing Diabetes

1.         Eat smart. Practice portion control, consume meals in conjunction with your medication times, and ensure sugars, carbs, and calories are all where they need to be to support healthy glucose levels. There are limitless food tracking apps and tools available to help you out. 

2.         Get fit and stay active. Find a sport or physical hobby that you enjoy doing, and stick with it. Keeping physically active has a host of health benefits, including balancing insulin and glucose levels while boosting circulation and your mood. Aim for 30 minutes, five times weekly for average adults. 

3.         Zone in on your zzz’s. Getting an adequate amount of sleep can help with blood glucose levels too and provide your brain and body the rest it needs to smartly map out and manage your diabetes and health goals for each day.

4.         Watch your weight.  Try to reach, and then stay within, a healthy weight range as designated by you and your doctor to best control diabetes and provide you with optimal health benefits. Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology (TD&E) offers weight loss management to help you find the most effective and personalized way to go about this. 

5.         Manage your mental health. Just as you tend to your physical health, make sure your mental health is not neglected. Having a positive outlook and resources to rely on when facing a challenging condition like diabetes can make a huge difference. 

6.         Store and take all medications properly. Make sure you are following your endocrinologist’s instructions on how to take medications and store them the right way. Timing of doses and temperatures often matter for things like insulin which needs to be refrigerated. 

7.         Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol can affect the liver and the body’s ability to process sugar in negative ways, so be cautious and do so in moderation when drinking and opt for beverages like light beers or clear liquors that do not have extra sugar or sweeteners.  

8.         Update your devices. If you rely on continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, or other digital tools to support your diabetes management, check that they are all working properly, have current updates installed, and/or batteries are refreshed as needed. 

9.         Explore clinical trials to help you better manage your diabetes. TD&E offers numerous clinical trialsproviding new, cutting-edge therapies and treatments promising to offset the many serious symptoms and side effects of diabetes. Learn more about how participating could enhance your quality of life while advancing science for the worldwide diabetes community through our current research trials available here.

Happy New Year from TD&E, and please let us know how we can better support you to reach your health goals in 2025!

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.

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.

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