Texas Diabetes

Texas Diabetes Offers Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy

Posted on November 9, 2023November 9, 2023 by Leslie Branon

Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology’s team of board-certified endocrinology experts treat common endocrinology issues which are closely associated with the body’s hormonal system.

One of the services we offer patients is gender affirming hormone therapy. In this blog, Dr. Valerie Espinosa explains everything you need to know about the gender affirming hormone therapy we offer in Austin, TX.

What is gender affirming hormone therapy?

This form of treatment is used in transgender and non-binary patients in order to help better align the body with a person’s gender identity, whether it be feminizing or masculinizing therapy.

Feminizing therapy is mainly achieved with the administration of the hormone estradiol in transgender women and non-binary individuals.

While estradiol is the mainstay of treatment, other medications may sometimes be

added (such as progestins and anti-androgens). Treatment with these medications induces several physical changes that are more consistent with a feminine appearance. These changes

include:

Breast development
Less facial and body hair
Softer skin
More body fat and a decline in muscle mass
Smaller testicles
Lower libido and fewer erections

Masculinizing therapy which uses testosterone in transgender men and non-binary individuals will also bring about several physical changes which include:

Cessation of the menstrual cycle
Deepening of the voice
Growth of facial and body hair
Clitoral enlargement
Increase in strength and muscle mass

How long does it take to see changes with gender affirming hormone therapy?

Changes generally start to occur within a few months, but full effects may not become apparent

until two to five years after starting hormone therapy.

What are the possible risks and side effects?

Gender affirming hormone therapy does not come without serious risks/side effects.

Estrogen-related side effects are:

Blood clots
Higher cholesterol
Elevated prolactin
Weight gain
Hypertension
Potential for stroke
Mood changes, anxiety or depression

Testosterone-related side effects are:

Weight gain
Acne
Male pattern baldness
Higher cholesterol
Hypertension
Sleep apnea
High red blood cell counts
Blood clots

Both hormones will cause the transgender individual to develop infertility, which may or may

not be permanent.

What is the process to begin gender affirming hormone therapy?

Prior to starting therapy, we require a physician referral. Then, we will provide patient education including the risks and benefits of treatment to ensure that you are well informed enough to consent to treatment. Following this initial step, you will:

1. Undergo a complete medical evaluation, including physical exam and laboratory diagnostics, to determine any treatment risks.

2. Learn about and discuss options for fertility preservation.

3. Seek a mental health evaluation in order to confirm a gender dysphoria diagnosis and to rule out any co-existing mental health issues.

Once you have begun your hormone therapy, you will visit with our providers on a regular basis so that we can track your response to treatment and check for any signs of complications.

We are ready to facilitate your journey through this process.

If you’d like to learn more about our gender affirming hormone therapy services, please call Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology 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.

extreme thirst, polydipsia, anemia and diabetes

Dr. Srujana Yada for Health Central: How Anemia Can Cause Excess Thirst

Posted on September 25, 2023September 25, 2023 by Leslie Branon

There are numerous causes of unexplained increased thirst (polydipsia), including dehydration, anemia, dry mouth, and hypercalcemia. However, it is mostly commonly associated with diabetes.

In a recent Health Central article, endocrinologist Dr. Srujana Yada explains that extreme thirst can be a result of severe anemia because when “blood pressure drops and blood volume decreases, one of the mechanisms our brain uses to maintain blood pressure is to increase water intake.”

Dr. Yada advises people to drink two to three liters of fluid (about a gallon) a day, and “if a person is drinking more than a gallon a day for several days and unable to quench thirst even after that, I would recommend seeing a doctor.”

Read the article to learn about the causes of polydipsia and when to see a doctor.

For more information on our comprehensive endocrinology services, schedule a consultation with one of our board certified endocrinologists by requesting an appointment online or call (512) 458-8400.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you with helpful wellness and health information.

Diabetes Myths: Seperating Fact from Fiction

Posted on September 17, 2023September 17, 2023 by Leslie Branon

With diabetes on a steady incline globally, knowing the facts is essential. Here are five common diabetes myths and how to take charge of your health.

Eating too much sugar causes diabetes

Although this myth is false, there are some complexities surrounding the matter. Eating too much sugar doesn’t cause diabetes directly. However, a diet consisting mainly of sugar can lead to excess weight and obesity, which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes will always lead to diabetes

Prediabetes occurs in about one out of every three adults in the United States and means that your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes yet.

Prediabetes can put you at risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Luckily, proper diet changes and staying active can help prevent that from happening.

Being overweight causes diabetes

This is false. While being overweight puts you at risk of developing diabetes, it doesn’t always lead to the condition. Other diabetes risk factors include family history, age, race, lack of physical activity, and being diagnosed as prediabetic or previously having gestational diabetes.

It’s not safe to exercise when you have diabetes

Regular exercise plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels and therefore managing diabetes. Physical activity also helps lower your risk of diabetes-related complications, such as heart disease and nerve damage. The American Diabetes Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise per week.

Our endocrinologists advise patients to keep the following recommendations in mind:

Always talk to your doctor before starting a new workout regime.
Prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids.
Always check your blood sugar before and after being physically active, especially if you take insulin. You may need to adjust your dosage based on how your body reacts to exercise.

I’ll know if I have diabetes

In a recent 2020 CDC report, 7.2 million adults who met laboratory criteria for diabetes were not aware of or did not report having diabetes.

Some diabetes symptoms can be hard to spot, take years to develop, or only appear when blood sugar levels are extremely high. Symptoms such as consistent hunger, thirst, blurred vision, and frequent urination should not be ignored. Routine wellness exams are critical in detecting diabetes early and preventing any long-term complications.

Endocrinologists in Austin, TX

If you’d like to learn more about our full range of endocrine services, please call Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology 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.

Dr. Srujana Yada Clarifies How Ultra-Processed Foods Affect People with Type 2 Diabetes

Posted on September 12, 2023September 12, 2023 by Leslie Branon

Ultra-processed foods are natural foods that have been changed by adding ingredients like salt, sugar, oil, and other additives. These changes result in longer shelf life and convenience. They make up about 60% of the average individual’s caloric intake.

Research has indicated that eating ultra-processed foods can increase mortality risk in people with type 2 diabetes. The risk of heart disease is more than double with UPA’s.

In a recent Healthline article, endocrinologist Dr. Srujana Yada shares her knowledge about ultra-processed food’s effect on the body. Dr. Yada says “UPFs are loaded with sugar and have less fiber, which leads to rapid glucose spikes and can cause weight gain, increased insulin resistance, and worsened diabetes control.”

Read the article to learn about ultra-processed foods’ effect on people with type 2 diabetes.

For more information on our personalized approach to diabetes management, schedule a consultation with one of our board certified endocrinologists by requesting an appointment online or call (512) 458-8400.