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.  

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Men's Health low testosterone
Men’s Health Month: Low Testosterone

June is Men’s Health Month – a time to focus on the health and well-being of men of all ages. One health issue that impacts many men is low testosterone. It is projected that approximately 6.5 million American men between the ages of 30-79 will have low testosterone by 2025.

While there is still much research to be done around the connection of low testosterone to other health issues, there is already an established link between insulin resistance, diabetes and low T. According to the American Diabetes Association, type 2 diabetics are twice as likely to have low testosterone compared to those without diabetes. 

Here is the information you need to know to better understand how low testosterone affects men’s health.

Low Testosterone Overview

The testosterone hormone is a part of the endocrine system and plays a large role in men’s health. It helps regulate muscle mass and strength, it can impact sex drive and sexual function, and it helps maintain bone strength. If a man is diagnosed with hypogonadism, it means they’re experiencing low testosterone along with a potential for other symptoms.

Causes and Symptoms

There are several potential causes of low testosterone, including:

  • Normal aging
  • Certain cancer treatments
  • Diseases affecting the testicles
  • Disorders that affect the pituitary gland

The symptoms of low T depend on the person, but can include:

  • Low energy
  • Low sex drive
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • Feelings of sadness or depression
  • Weight gain

Related Health Concerns

Low testosterone is associated with a variety of related health concerns, and some of which can be very serious. 

Examples include:

Low Testosterone Treatment

Low testosterone can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy. It is important to talk to your doctor to find the treatment that will work best for you and to monitor your testosterone levels to optimize the results. At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, we offer a variety of testosterone replacement treatments, including skin patches, gels, injections, and nasal spray. Our providers will work with you to find a personalized treatment plan.

Consult with an Endocrinologist in Austin, TX

To learn more about low testosterone (low T) and testosterone replacement therapy, schedule a consultation with one of our board certified endocrinologists in Austin or Round Rock by requesting an appointment online or call (512) 458-8400.

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osteoporosis
FAQs with Dr. Pandit: Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common and potentially debilitating disease that affects an estimated 54 million Americans. Often referred to as a silent disease, osteoporosis can progress with no symptoms or warning signs until a fracture occurs. At Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology, we believe that preventing bone fractures is a priority.

In honor of Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, endocrinologist Dr. Keta Pandit is sharing everything you need to know about the condition.

What are the most common signs of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass that results in microarchitectural disruption which causes decreased bone strength and increased risk of fracture. Some people may develop small microfractures in the vertebral spine, which may result in loss of height or hunched posture, known as kyphosis. Unfortunately, osteoporosis has no clinical manifestations until there is a fracture.

What risk factors raise a person’s chances of getting osteoporosis?

Women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis compared to men. Upon menopause women are not exposed to Estrogen, which is responsible for promoting bone growth. Therefore, postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of getting osteoporosis. Those with a family history of hip fractures or osteoporosis are also at an increased risk and should inform their doctor so that screening can be done appropriately. 

Other factors that can increase osteoporosis risk can include: 

  • smoking
  • daily use of alcohol
  • history of steroid use
  • early menopause in women
  • low testosterone in men
  • excessive use of thyroid hormones or history of hyperthyroidism
  • hypercalciuria
  • chronic medical conditions like diabetes and HIV

At what age should patients start thinking about osteoporosis prevention?

​The National Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (NBOF) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force(USPSTF) both recommend screening for osteoporosis in women of age 65 and above. NBOF also recommends screening early for all postmenopausal women with known risk factors. Regardless, all women of postmenopausal age are recommended to have adequate calcium and vitamin D to prevent bone loss.

For men, the recommendations have varied. NBOF recommends screening for all men over age 70 and as early as 50 years or older for men with risk factors. On the other hand, USPSTF has not provided a set guidance for what age men should be screened for osteoporosis.

What is one of the most common misconceptions patients have about osteoporosis?

One of the most common misconceptions about osteoporosis is that it presents pain in your bones or joints. Osteoporosis is a silent disease, and it does not present with any pain, unless there is a fracture or a bone deformity that comes from a previous history of fracture. 

Many people believe that adequate intake of dairy in their diet is sufficient to prevent bone loss. However, you may not necessarily have adequate calcium despite daily use of dairy products. 

Does osteoporosis affect men and women differently?

Women tend to have younger onset of bone loss and lose bone at a faster rate compared to men. Estrogen deficiency plays an important role in osteoporosis development, which is one of the factors that makes women more susceptible to osteoporosis compared to men. 

How can someone best protect themselves from osteoporosis?

Prevention of osteoporosis begins with ensuring you have enough calcium and Vitamin D in your diet. Other steps you can take to maintain bone density include:

  • eating a well-balanced diet
  • regular exercise with weights
  • avoiding alcohol and smoking

How is osteoporosis treated?

The landscape of medications for osteoporosis has changed in the last two decades. All medications work in a different pathophysiology, but the goal is to build bone and reduce fracture rates. 

Oral bisphosphonates, IV bisphosphonates and denosumab work by reducing the rate at which bones break down. Oral bisphosphonates including weekly Alendronate (Fosamax) or monthly Residronate (Actonel) and Ibandronate (Boniva) are the standard of treatment for osteoporosis in the beginning stages. However, these medications are known to cause reflux. 

Those that cannot take the oral bisphosphonates can resort to annual IV zoledronic acid (brand name Reclast), which is also a bisophosnate. Alternatively, denosaumab (Prolia) can also be utilized which is an injection given every 6 months.

For patients that have severe osteoporosis, which is defined as a history of a fracture in the hip or spine or wrist, or very low scores on their bone density scans, stronger medications can be used. These medications belong to a class of medications called anabolic treatment, known as Teriparatide (Forteo), Abaloparatide (tymlos) or Romosozumab (Evenity). These medications build stronger bone by speeding up the bone building process. Teriparatide and Abalopartide are daily injections approved for two years and Romosozumab is a monthly injection approved for one year. After their recommended time frames, patients will generally switch to either IV Reclast or Prolia depending on how they respond to the treatment. 

Long term use of osteoporosis medications is discouraged as there is a risk for developing atypical femoral fracture or osteonecrosis of the jaw. Therefore, we recommend stopping medications temporarily, known as a drug holiday. After 3-5 years of treatment (or up to 8-10 years of treatment in some cases), a drug holiday is recommended. During the ‘drug holiday’, bone density is measured annually or every two years, and treatment can begin after 2-3 years of drug holiday if bone loss progresses.

Dr. Keta Pandit is a board certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist with a special interest in the treatment of adrenal and pituitary disorders. She sees patients at our Central Austin office. 

If you’d like to learn more about our osteoporosis and fracture treatment 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.