Tag: type 2 diabetes

Insulin resistance and diabetes are distinct in their characteristics and implications on our health.
What is the difference between insulin resistance and diabetes?
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Insulin resistance and diabetes are two terms we talk about often in the endocrine world. While the conditions are connected, they are distinct in their characteristics and implications on our health. 

Insulin Resistance: The Precursor to Diabetes

Insulin plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels. Our body converts carbohydrates into glucose and insulin facilitates the entry of glucose into cells. However, in the case of insulin resistance, the normal interaction between insulin and cells becomes disrupted.  

Dr. Srujana Yada describes insulin resistance as when “a person must produce more insulin than the general population to keep his blood sugars levels normal. In other words, insulin resistance means that they need more insulin to keep the glucose levels at a normal range than others.” 

Insulin resistance can present in a number of ways, including: 

  • Impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, type 2 diabetes mellitus, increased insulin requirements in type 1 diabetes
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Metabolic syndrome (conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes)
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Certain obesity-related malignancies (eg, endometrial cancer)

Insulin resistance typically precedes the development of Type 2 diabetes, and is diagnosed based upon clinical findings, which include:

  • Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
  • Dyslipidemia (lipid imbalance)
  • Abdominal obesity
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Diabetes: Improper Blood Sugar Regulation

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas is not making enough insulin to regulate your blood sugar, often due to prolonged insulin resistance. Similarly, prediabetes occurs in about 1 out of every 3 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.

Diabetes is diagnosed based on specific blood sugar levels that consistently exceed normal ranges. Once diagnosed, diabetes requires careful management to prevent complications.

Can you prevent insulin resistance?

Unfortunately you can’t prevent insulin resisitance entirely, but living a healthy lifestyle can help make your body’s cells more receptive to insulin. Our team of endocrinologists recommend taking proactive steps toward managing insulin resistance and ultimately preventing the progression to diabetes. Adopting a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active and scheduling regular medical appointments and screenings can lead to significant improvements in your overall health. 

If you need to make lifestyle changes, our medically supervised NextStepMD weight loss program can help you gain better control of your health. The NextStepMD health and wellness coaches offer one-on-one sessions and work closely with you to recommend the methods that offer the greatest opportunities of success.

In addition to adopting a healthy lifestyle, your doctor may recommend taking an insulin-sensitizing medication to manage your glucose control. 

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.

Men's Health low testosterone
Men’s Health Month: Low Testosterone
Posted on by Leslie Branon

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.

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.

continuous glucose monitors
Continuous Glucose Monitors: Everything You Need to Know
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology provides real-time glucose readings to people with diabetes. CGMs help diabetics track their glucose levels throughout the day and make informed decisions about their food, exercise, and medication intake. This advancement in technology can make living with diabetes easier to manage. 

What are continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)? 

A CGM is a small device that uses a sensor placed under the skin to check blood glucose levels every 5-15 minutes, providing real-time updates to a receiver or smartphone app. 

Benefits of CGMs

CGMs offer many benefits for people with diabetes to help them live more independently. Board certified endocrinologist Dr. Srujana Yada says the real-time updates on blood sugar trends can not only provide guidance on treatment decisions, but also help patients make healthy choices. 

“CGMs can tell patients how their blood sugar changes when eating different kinds of foods,” says Dr. Yada. “This can help them make appropriate changes in their diet and create an even more personalized treatment plan.”

CGMs can also help reduce the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). 

“Patients are notified by an alarm when they have high or low glucose levels, which helps them make treatment decisions rather than waiting too long,” explains Dr. Yada.

The instant data from CGMs can also improve patient care. “It helps doctors to see where exactly the blood sugars are running high – either fasting or mealtime sugars – and lets us change the regimen accordingly. CGMs help improve HbA1c and reduce variability.”

Who should have a CGM?

Patients who are candidates for a CGM include:

  • All type 1 diabetes patients;
  • Type 2 diabetes patients who are on multiple insulin injections; and
  • Patients with hypoglycemic unawareness.

Patients who are not on insulin do not need a CGM.

Continuous glucose monitors are a valuable tool for people with diabetes. If you’re interested in learning more, talk with your doctor to decide if it is right for you.

Consult with an Endocrinologist in Austin, TX

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, we are committed to helping people gain better control of their health and working with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that work best for their lifestyle. To schedule an appointment with one of our board certified endocrinologist, call (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.

insulin pump
Should I Get an Insulin Pump?
Posted on by Leslie Branon

If you’re living with diabetes, you know that managing your blood sugar levels can be a challenge and a chore, especially if you are taking multiple insulin injections a day. If you are ready to consider switching to an insulin pump, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons and remember, the choice is up to you.

An insulin pump is a small, computerized device that you wear to deliver insulin automatically – either in small continuous doses or close to mealtime. In this blog, we’re sharing some insights from endocrinologist Dr. Tira Chaicha-Brom about the benefits of insulin pumps and what to consider prior to use.

Benefits and Types of Insulin Pumps

There are many different insulin pumps available on the market. Patch pumps have no electronic component and do not have a feature for automatically adjusting the insulin delivery – you must manually press a button to deliver the insulin. However, Dr. Chaicha-Brom says they tend to be more discrete and are convenient for patients who do not want to carry the insulin pens and needles around. 

If you are comfortable using technology and are already using multiple daily injections, you can consider a closed loop pump. With a closed loop pump, there is a level of manual skill needed to manage the pump, as well as a need to be able to read a screen. As a safety benefit, the closed loop pumps will suspend the delivery of insulin if your blood sugars are trending low or give more insulin if your blood sugars are too elevated. This adjustable insulin delivery can improve consistent blood sugar levels while offering flexibility for patients. Closed loop pumps also deliver bolus insulin with meals, which requires patients to enter information and push a button to deliver the insulin. 

Insulin Pump Considerations

Insulin pumps are not permanent, but if you decide to get an insulin pump, you will always be required to wear the device. While some types of pumps can be placed discretely on the body, it is often difficult to conceal it, especially if it has a cord or tube for the insulin to flow through. 

“Patients need to consider that they will have a device attached to their skin at all times,” emphasizes Dr. Chaicha-Brom. “Most patients should be on a sensor as well, so that typically means having two devices to manage.”

Dr. Chaicha-Brom also explains that carb counting is a major component of using an insulin pump. The amount of insulin you need is calculated by entering how many carbs you are consuming along with your current blood sugar. 

“Prior to starting on a pump, patients should have a solid understanding of carb counting. If you do not already know how to count carbs, it is recommended that you meet with a registered dietician for training.” 

Cost is another factor to consider. In addition to the cost of the pump itself, you will need to purchase supplies that are changed several times a week. In short, insulin pumps are more expensive than injections. 

Finally, it’s important to remember that an insulin pump is not something you can get and then forget about. You will need to engage with the pump regularly throughout the day and continue to check your blood glucose.

An insulin pump can be a great way to help you manage your diabetes while increasing your flexibility and freedom. If you’re interested in getting an insulin pump, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits to decide if it is right for you.

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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