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Diabetes Care For those who do not know me,
I have had Diabetes since 1995. As you would suspect I
have a vested interest in keeping up with the latest and alternative
treatments for diabetes care, even more than my usual diligence with
all the rest of Family Medicine. With the new tools at
our disposal there is not any reason we cant have every diabetic at
goal on glucose values, hemoglobin a1c (test reflective of how well
sugars have been under control for the last 2mo), and Blood Pressure
and Lipid or cholesterol goals. Of course the most difficult
part of that to maintain and probably the most important part is
proper diet and exercise and maintaining proper body weight. I
understand the realities of trying to live with a high maintenance
disorder like diabetes. Unfortunately the complications do not
hold off just to be kind to us or because its hard to maintain.
With the tools we have and new ones coming out, proper care is
obtainable. On my journey I have recently
lost very significant weight and was able to come off my insulin and
maintain a hemoglobin a1c of 5.5 which is the best my diabetes has
ever been under control.
I was previously on 160 units a day of insulin in a pump
which is a lot of insulin. Here is a list of several
recent medications and supplements that you might want to consider.
(in no particular order) New Insulins- Levamir/ Novalog,
Lantus/Apidra . Very interesting new meds with
weight loss associated- Byetta, Symlin and several new ones coming
out soon. Another with similar action is
Januvia (but it is more weight neutral). Metaglycemic and Insinase from
Metagenics (we have these at the office or you can get them at the
health food store but you might pay more there). Glucobalance from Biotics (we
have these at the office or you can get them at the health food
store but you might pay more there). Other supplements found in
places like The Better Health Store down the street include Bitter
Melon, Cinnamon. Making sure Testosterone
levels are normal (in men and women). ~60% of diabetics have
lower testosterone and replacing it helps the sugars as well as
increases energy level, sex drive, possibly orgasms in women as well
as erections in men, and improve lean body mass- more muscle
and less fat. These are not at the levels that bodybuilders
use- we are talking physiological replacement. And of course weight loss
plans which feel free to look under weight management. If you wish to discuss these
with me please feel free to make an appointment. 248 912-1919 |
