Welcome Dr. Mauli Shah

Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology is pleased to welcome Dr. Mauli Shah to our team of endocrinology experts. 

Dr. Shah is board-certified in Internal Medicine and will be treating the full scope of endocrine disorders including diabetesthyroid issuesosteoporosis, and promoting heart disease prevention out of our Round Rock clinic.

She joins us most recently from working as a hospitalist and completing her fellowship in Endocrinology at Baylor Scott and White in Temple, TX. 

Dr. Shah loves practicing endocrinology as she says “it allows me to meet all different kinds of people and help them understand complex hormonal issues.”

“It’s a very satisfying field because we can see immediate results after starting treatment,” she adds. 

Dr. Shah was born and raised in southern California and earned her undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. She remained in New York to attend medical school at Albany Medical College and then returned to California for her Internal Medicine residency training at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. 

When asked why she was excited to join our practice, Dr. Shah shares that “everyone I have met from the staff to the other providers are very personable and great to work with.”

She describes her patient care philosophy as follows:

Every patient should have control over their own medical care with the advice of their physician. Care should be tailored to every individual and their own unique needs and lifestyle. Doctors should be seen as advocates for their patients. 

Dr. Shah likes to emphasize to her patients that they should always be comfortable, open, and honest with her and other physicians, as they are only here to help heal and never to judge. 

Outside of work, Dr. Shah enjoys spending time with her children and husband and also enjoys yoga, watching movies, and traveling. She loves that Austin shares the same warm and sunny climate as her home state of California, where all of her sisters and parents are practicing physicians as well.  

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes and Thyroid Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shah or one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services  and other endocrinology services 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 ChatGPT helped one patient correct his diabetes misdiagnosis

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is infiltrating everything these days, even medical diagnoses. One young patient of ours was misdiagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), but through his own intuition, research using ChatGPT, and the help of Dr. Keta Pandit, discovered that he had an inherited form of diabetes known as Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY).

24-year-old Cooper Myers was first treated for T1D while living in South Carolina after experiencing common diabetes symptoms (high blood sugar despite diet and exercise, fatigue, excessive thirst, and frequent urination). At the time of his diagnosis, he tested negative for GAD antibodies which are typically found in those with T1D. However, even with dedicated efforts at eating well and exercising, his blood sugar was still high, leading the doctor to believe he had T1D. 

Knowing his strong family history of diabetes on his father’s side, dating back to his great grandmother, coupled with the fact that he tested negative for antibodies, Cooper felt like something didn’t seem right about his diagnosis. 

Upon moving to Austin, TX, Cooper established care with Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology under board certified endocrinologist Dr. Keta Pandit and her team. Dr. Pandit managed Cooper’s insulin pump and noticed that he was having frequent low glucose values and had to continue reducing his insulin dosing. 

With a career in technology and extensive knowledge of AI, Cooper relayed his questions regarding his family history and lack of antibodies to ChatGPT, searching for insight on other forms of diabetes. He kept landing on references to Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), a genetic form of diabetes caused by a gene mutation.

Cooper shared his findings with Dr. Pandit, who seemed to agree with Cooper’s concerns at that time.  His insulin requirements were much lower than other TID patients, which raised concerns for Dr. Pandit as well. 

Diagnostic Testing Provides Clarity

Dr. Pandit supported re-evaluating Cooper’s diagnosis and ordered a variety of tests to look at specific antibodies, which included pancreatic antibodies to confirm there are no T1D antibodies and C-peptide which confirms that the pancreas is still producing insulin. After Cooper’s result showed he had no antibodies and low (normal) C-peptide levels, Dr. Pandit ordered a genetic blood test to examine the genes that were associated markers of MODY. 

After this lengthy process, and waiting more than a month for the results, it was confirmed that Cooper had MODY 2 (there are different types of MODY depending on which gene is affected). MODY 2 is caused by a mutation of the GCK gene.

Working with Dr. Pandit, Cooper was able to gradually change his medications and get off his insulin pump.  Now, his blood sugar and insulin production are properly managed, and he is living a normal and healthy life off his insulin. Dr. Pandit says that with his lifestyle, his prognosis is excellent. 

Cooper has now found a great support system online for fellow MODY patients who were misdiagnosed like himself. 

His advice to others who are concerned about a diagnosis is to trust your instincts and do your own research, but also discuss things with your doctor and trust their expertise and guidance.

Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young

MODY is a genetic form of diabetes that is unlike Type 1 (T1D) or Type 2 (T2D) diabetes as it is not autoimmune (T1D) or triggered by factors like poor diet and obesity (T2D). A gene mutation in those with MODY limits the ability of the pancreas to make enough insulin to support healthy blood sugar levels. There are different subtypes of MODY depending on which gene is affected, each resulting in different symptoms and complications. 

MODY is a very rare diagnosis compared with commonly diagnosed conditions such as T1D and T2D. It is estimated to account for 5% of all diabetes cases in the United States. The genetic mutation that causes MODY has a 50% chance of being passed down to subsequent generations. If a child does inherit the mutation, they will generally develop MODY before they reach 25 years of age regardless of their lifestyle, ethnic group or other risk factors such as obesity or increased weight gain. 

Research shows that up to 80-90% of MODY cases are first diagnosed incorrectly as T1D or T2D. Key features of MODY are the age of diagnosis, under 25 years of age, having a parent with diabetes, and often diabetes in two or more generations. Testing for the presence of antibodies can help rule out the condition. Patients diagnosed with MODY classically do not need insulin. 

It is important to distinguish MODY from T1D and T2D because the treatment and management options are quite different. Insulin injections are primary mode of treatment for T1D, while generally Metformin is the first line of treatment for T2D. On the other hand, MODY is treated through other medications, such as sulfonylureas. 

Contact Us for Help in Managing your Diabetes

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with 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.

GLP-1RA gastrointestinal side effects
What are the GI side effects of GLP-1RA Medications, like Ozempic?

In treating T2D diabetes patients, our Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology board-certified experts may recommend medication to help lower blood sugars in addition to lifestyle changes. Some injectable forms of medical therapy, known as GLP-1RA medications, have been trending in the news lately due to their role in weight-loss management

These drugs go by popular brand names such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Trulicity. 

While the medicines are very effective for many patients and can be used safely with regular monitoring, recent data reports that there can be serious gastrointestinal (GI) side effects in rare cases. 

GLP-1RA Gastrointestinal Side Effects

GLP-1RAs help to slow the speed at which food passes through the stomach, causing people to feel fuller longer and better regulate blood sugar levels.

This form of drug treatment however can also lead to GI side effects (like severe nausea and vomiting) in some people. 

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association recently revealed that those taking GLP-1RAs for weight loss were at an increased risk of GI issues such as:

  • Biliary disease
  • Gastroparesis
  • Pancreatitis
  • Bowel obstructions

These conditions reportedly contributed to many patients electing to discontinue use on their own.

A study published in the American Journal of Managed Care found that approximately 50% of those being evaluated and who were on GLP-1RA meds stopped them within a year. 

What are the consequences of stopping GLP-1RA meds without direction from your doctor?

While initially stopping these medications may not have immediate health repercussions,  it could likely have an effect down the road. 

Failure to properly manage diabetes could lead to complications from continuously elevated blood sugars – like nerve damage, vision loss and worsening kidney function. Stopping these medications could also lead to regaining any lost weight, which typically also worsens insulin resistance and blood sugar control.

With any new therapy, it is important to follow all instructions carefully and as directed by your doctor.   Our endocrinology experts will always discuss treatment options with you and any potential risks or side effects. 

If you ever experience side effects from your diabetic medications, please contact us right away so that we can evaluate the situation and discuss effective alternatives. 

Contact Us Today to Learn More about  Diabetes and Weight Loss Management

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services  and weight-loss management program can help you lead a full and active life, 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.

heart disease prevention
Heart Disease and the T2D Connection

People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke than non-diabetics. 

In fact, the American Heart Association recently issued its  Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics for 2023 which found that one in three adults in the U.S. have three or more risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and/or kidney disease. This supports the likelihood that if you have diabetes, you may also be prone to heart disease. 

How does diabetes contribute to heart disease?

High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and nerves surrounding the heart, leading to deterioration and serious damage over time. 

Texas Diabetes team of endocrinology specialists can not only help manage your diabetes, but we can monitor your heart health and assess your risk for cardiovascular disease too. 

Our endocrinology experts recommend several tips to both manage your diabetes and support a healthy heart.  

Five Tips to Manage Diabetes While Supporting Heart Health 

1.         Maintain a healthy weight. Discuss your goal weight with your physician for optimal health and remember that steady and gradual weight loss is the safest route. 

2.         Exercise regularly. Regular exercise, at least 150 minutes per week for adults, helps boost circulation and lower blood glucose levels. Find a sport or active hobby that you enjoy so that you’re more likely to stick with it!

3.         Follow a heart healthy diet. Eat right-sized portions and try using the Diabetes Plate Method to guide your meals. Load up on brightly colored, non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. 

4.         Look after your mental health. Effectively managing stress can help keep hormones and blood pressure in check, both of which lead to better diabetes management and heart health. Find things that help you to unwind, like walks, reading, meditation, or warm baths, and build them into your daily schedule as you would any other important activity. 

5.         Take medications as prescribed. Make sure you are taking all of your diabetes medications and insulin as directed by your physician to support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. And stay on top of all your numbers that you should be regularly monitoring, such as your A1C, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure. 

In addition to managing your diabetes, we can help assess your risk for cardiovascular disease so that we can best determine your treatment.  

Heart Disease Prevention at TD&E

At Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology, we conveniently offer cardiovascular risk assessment testing in our clinics which includes: 

  • Advanced Lipid Test: this diagnostic evaluates more than traditional testing (cholesterol, LDL & HDL) in order to measure abnormal lipid levels that are often missed 
  • Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Test: this is a non-invasive procedure similar to an X-ray that detects calcium/plaque in the arteries that feed your heart which can help diagnose coronary artery disease before showing signs or symptoms 

Our physicians and advanced practice providers are trained in lipidology and have extensive experience in treating cholesterol disorders. 

Contact Us Today to Learn about Managing Diabetes and Preventing Heart Disease 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes treatment and heart prevention services can help you, 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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