Endocrinology

Diabetes

Let’s 👏🏻 talk 👏🏻 diabetes👏🏻!⁠

🌟American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) released new 2023 guidelines recently and I just had to do a doodle note on it. 🤓⁠

🌟There has been lots of debates regarding whether metformin should still be first-line for all patients with type 2 diabetes. ⁠

🌟 It still is a great first-line option for most patients due to it’s proven efficacy, safety, and low cost. There are also some speculation that it m-a-y have cardiovascular benefits as well considering many patients in the clinical trials were also on metformin. ⁠

💗🫘However, in patients with ASCVD or high ASCVD risks, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, the ADA/ESC guidelines recommend starting a SGLT-2 inhibitor or GLP-1 agonists with cardiovascular and renal benefits regardless if they have type 2 diabetes. ⁠

🌟 It is still important to look at patient specific factors (cost, comorbidities, side effects) when deciding which agent to start first or to add on. ⁠

👉🏻GLP-1 agonists commonly have GI side effects and carry warnings for rare pancreatitis and gallbladder disease. It can cost patients $1000/month. Most of the agents are injectables and supply is not consistent.⁠

👉🏻SLGT-2 inhibitors are linked to genital yeast infections, and volume depletion. Cost is about $600/month but they do come in oral formulations.⁠


Reference: Diabetes Care. 2023 Jan 1;46 (suppl 1):S140-S157⁠

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Insulin

1️⃣ In Type 1 Diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin⁠

2️⃣ In type 2 diabetes, the body does not respond normally to insulin, and over time, the pancreas starts to produce less and less insulin⁠
⭐️ What is insulin?⁠
IN-sulin is a hormone that helps glucose get IN-side cells to be used as energy⁠
⭐️ Counseling Tips:⁠
👉🏻 Educate patients on the symptoms of hypoglycemia (fatigue, hunger, increased anxiety dizziness, palpitations)⁠
👉🏻 Inject the exact dose of insulin subcutaneously into the abdomen (preferred), upper arms, thighs, or buttocks⁠
👉🏻 Rotate injection sites every 1-2 weeks⁠
👉🏻 Monitor blood glucose in frequent intervals (2- 4 times a day) as directed by the doctor⁠.

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Hypothyroidism

🌟 The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones (T3 and T4, with T3 being the more active form) that affect metabolism, brain development, respiration, cardiac, nervous system functions, body temperature, muscle strength skin dryness, and so much more!⁠⠀
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👉🏻 HYPOthyroidism is a result of an UNDERactive thyroid vs. HYPERthyroidism is an OVERactive thyroid. ⁠⠀
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👉🏻 Common causes of hypothyroidism: having low levels doesn’t feel good – HAIL⁠⠀
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-Hashimoto’s disease⁠⠀
-Amiodarone⁠⠀
-Iodine deficiency/interferons⁠⠀
-Lithium⁠⠀
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👉🏻To compensate for an UNDERactive thyroid, synthetic versions of thyroid hormones are administered. Levothyroxine is the drug of choice due to its once-daily dosing, low cost, and more uniform potency. ⁠⠀
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Metformin (Glucophage)⁠⠀

Metformin (Glucophage)⁠⠀ Read More »