All About DIABETES TESTING

Gestational Diabetes Underdiagnosed

2010-02-27T07:32:00.000-08:00

In response to research confirming that even small elevations in blood sugar during pregnancy can lead to sick babies, an international panel of experts is recommending sweeping changes in how gestational diabetes is diagnosed.

If adopted, the changes would mean that in the future two or three times as many pregnant women would be diagnosed and treated for gestational diabetes.

About 5% of pregnant women in the United States receive a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

But Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Professor of Metabolism and Nutrition Boyd Metzger, MD, says closer to 15% of pregnant women and their babies would benefit from treatment.

“Current recommendations for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes are designed to identify women at risk for developing diabetes after pregnancy,” Metzger tells WebMD. “But we now know that many low-risk women with blood sugar levels considered normal in the past are at risk for having overweight babies.”

High-birth-weight babies have an increased risk for obesity and diabetes later in life, and women carrying large babies are at increased risk for premature delivery and C-section delivery.
Modest Blood Sugar Increases Risky

Findings from a seven-year, international study led by Metzger showed that even modest increases in blood sugar during pregnancy raise the risk for complications to mothers and their babies.

More than 23,000 women who took part in the trial were followed for nearly a decade. The study was published in May 2008.

Several months later, diabetes experts from across the globe met to consider the clinical implications of the findings and this meeting led to the new recommendations.

Under the proposed guidelines, a fasting blood sugar of 92 or higher, a one-hour glucose tolerance test reading of 180 or higher, or a two-hour glucose tolerance test of 153 or higher would meet the criteria for gestational diabetes.

“Any one of these would be enough to make the diagnosis,” Metzger says.

He says that at these levels, the risk of having an overweight baby or developing pregnancy-related high blood pressure doubles and the risk for early delivery increases by 40%.

The consensus panel recommendations appear in the March issue of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) journal Diabetes Care.

But it is not clear if the ADA or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) will endorse the proposed guidelines.

An ACOG spokesperson tells WebMD the group does not comment on recommendations by other organizations.

Carol J. Homko, PhD, of the ADA, says the recommendations may overwhelm already struggling obstetrics practices.

Homko is an associate professor of medicine with a joint appointment in obstetrics and gynecology at Temple University in Philadelphia. She also served on the ADA’s Gestational Diabetes Mellitus workgroup.

“I worry that these practices may not have the resources to suddenly double or triple their gestational diabetes caseload,” she says.

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Type 2 Diabetes Update

2010-02-06T01:28:00.000-08:00

Scientists have completed a map of areas of the human genome that control which genes are switched on or off in type 2 diabetes, a finding that may advance understanding of the genetic basis of this and other common diseases.

"Most of the human genome is uncharted territory -- entire stretches of sequence with no clear function or purpose," study co-senior author Jason Lieb, an associate professor of biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said in a news release.

"In fact, the majority of the DNA sequences associated with disease found thus far reside in the middle of nowhere. Here we have developed a map that can guide scientists to regions of the genome that do appear to be functionally relevant, instead of a dead end."

Using a new method (called FAIRE-seq) developed in Lieb's laboratory, the researchers produced the first high-resolution atlas of these regulatory elements in pancreatic islet cells, the most studied cell type for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes.

The study was published online recently in Nature Genetics.

This map is likely to help identify new genetic targets for understanding and treating type 2 diabetes, but the method used in this study isn't limited to diabetes or pancreatic islet cells. Lieb plans to use FAIRE-seq to investigate other cells, including immune cells.

Source : BusinessWeek

Diabetes Education

2010-01-25T05:36:00.000-08:00

The Diabetes Education Program at Norwalk Hospital provides education to people with diabetes so that they can learn to better manage their diabetes, according to a news release.

By increasing their knowledge about the disease and promoting self-management, a person with diabetes will be able to better control blood sugar and prevent acute and chronic complications, according to Barbara Nadolny, coordinator of Diabetes Education.

Diabetes is growing at epidemic proportions. According to the American Diabetes Association, 23.6 million Americans have diabetes and each year 1.6 million people age 20 or older are diagnosed with diabetes.

Many first learn that they have it when they are treated for complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness or nerve damage. Through education and self-management a person with diabetes can learn to control the disease, which will reduce the risk of getting diabetes related complications.

The American Diabetes Association has recognized Norwalk Hospital's Outpatient Diabetes Education Program as a quality diabetes self-management program. It is a comprehensive program with both individual and group sessions.

Sessions are provided by Certified Diabetes Educators that are Registered Nurses or Registered Dietitians.

The program begins with an individual one-hour initial assessment followed by group or individual classes.

Group classes are available in the day or evening hours.

According to Nadolny, "Diabetes is a controllable disease. People can learn to control their diabetes and we can help."

"Our goal is to provide quality education to people with diabetes and to promote self-management and participation in personal health," Nadolny said.

Norwalk Hospital Diabetes Self-Management Education is a certified provider for Medicare and many other insurance companies.

Source : Stamford Times

Artificial Pancreas Being Developed for Juvenile Diabetes

2010-01-15T04:50:00.000-08:00

HOUSTON - A major development in helping children with Juvenile, or Type 1, Diabetes. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation announces an artificial pancreas is now being developed and is expected to change and save lives.

JDRF is partnering with Johnson & Johnson's Animas Corporation, to develop the first artificial pancreas.

We found a mother in Sugar Land, who has been volunteering and raising money for JDRF, to go specifically toward funding the new device. Lisa Brettman's 16-year old son, Trevor, has been dealing with Type 1 Diabetes most of his life.

"This is life changing for us... for those of us who live with Type 1 diabetes. We live in fear all the time," says Lisa.

Living with Type-1 diabetes is definitely demanding.

"From playing the trumpet, to playing video games, and even sleeping - pretty much everything I do... it has changed every single thing," says Trevor.

The artificial pancreas will be software that stays on the outside of the body, along with an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor (which measures blood sugar levels).

"This new project will allow the two to talk to each other, so that the continuous glucose monitor can say to the pump - hey, the kiddo's blood sugar is too high so it's time to give him insulin now, and the pump will give him insulin. Or if it's too low, it can stop administering insulin," says Molly Naylor, who is the the Executive Director of the Houston Chapter of J.D.R.F.

She goes on to say, this is a huge development!

"It means kids won't end up in hospitals with comas or seizures, it means parents don't have to get up 5-6 times a night to check blood sugars, because they're afraid these kids won't wake up the next morning."

"It'll be really, really, really helpful, I can't even describe it. It will make the future that much brighter, and I could live every single day that much easier," says Trevor. "It will help get rid of the fear, some of the fear, we live with on a daily basis", says Trevor's mom.

Source : foxhouston.com

Coffee Reduces the Risks of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

2009-12-20T04:40:00.000-08:00

A meta-analysis report, published this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that consuming coffee reduces the risk of developing type 2 Diabetes. The data is based on 18 studies between 1966 and July of this year.

The findings indicate that for every additional cup of coffee consumed daily, there was an associated 5% to 10% decrease in excess risk of developing diabetes. There was a 25 % reduction in risk when consuming three to four cups of coffee per day over drinking less than three. Similar results were also suggested based on 6 studies on the consumption of decaffeinated coffee and 7 studies on the consumption of tea.

According to researcher, Dr. Rachel Huxley of the George Institute for International Health in Sydney, Australia, and her colleagues - "If such beneficial effects were observed in interventional trials to be real, the implications for the millions of individuals who have diabetes, or who are at future risk of developing it, would be substantial,"

Dr Huxley went on to say - "For example, the identification of the active components of these beverages would open up new therapeutic pathways for the primary prevention of diabetes mellitus. It could also be envisaged that we will advise our patients most at risk for diabetes mellitus to increase their consumption of tea and coffee in addition to increasing their levels of physical activity and weight loss."

Conclusions of the report did however recognize that the individual studies researched were small, and as such, may contain "small study bias", which overestimate the “true magnitude of the association”.

SOURCE

Gene Action May Lead to Diabetes Prevention

2009-12-12T19:29:00.000-08:00

A gene commonly studied by cancer researchers has been linked to the metabolic inflammation that leads to diabetes.

Understanding how the gene works means scientists may be closer to finding ways to prevent or cure diabetes, according to a study by Texas AgriLife Research appearing in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

"Because we understand the mechanism, or how the gene works, we believe a focus on nutrition will find the way to both prevent and reverse diabetes," said Dr. Chaodong Wu, AgriLife Research nutrition and food scientist who authored the paper with the University of Minnesota's Dr. Yuqing Hou.

Wu said the research team will collaborate with nutritionists to identify what changes or supplements in a diet will activate the gene to prevent or stop the progression of diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease in which blood sugar (glucose) levels are higher than normal and the body has a hard time converting food to glucose which is then turned into energy, according to the National Institutes of Health. When the body cannot metabolize food, the amount of glucose builds in the blood while the cells lack energy. Complications can include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve problems and gum infections. Some of the complications can lead to amputation.

The gene with the possible answers to ways of fighting the disease is known in the science world as PFKFB3. Wu and the team of researchers identified it as a regulator for metabolism, which plays a vital role in the development of diabetes.

Wu noted that while it is a major health concern in the U.S., obesity does not necessarily cause diabetes to develop; i.e., just because a person is overweight does not mean they have diabetes. Rather, "metabolic inflammation" causes or exacerbates the disease. That's where the team began looking at PFKFB3 -- because it regulates metabolism -- to find the mechanism or how the inflammation begins. Metabolic inflammation is different from classic inflammation because there is no infection, virus or bacteria present, though the symptoms appear similar.

He believes nutritionists working with the biological chemists can help develop food consumption plans that either prevent people from developing metabolic inflammation or cause existing conditions to retreat.

"First we will need to identify what effective compounds will trigger the gene to regulate metabolism," Wu said. "Then we need to determine what combinations within foods are more effective."

In the meantime, Wu suggested, people need to consume healthier foods.

"Basically, fish and seafood," Wu said. "That's always good in a diet."

SOURCE

Popular Diabetes Drug Could be Fatal

2009-12-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

Sulphonylureas, a type of drug widely used to treat type 2 diabetes, has a greater risk of causing heart failure and death as compared to metformin, another popular antidiabetes drug, according to a study.

The findings suggest that clinically important differences in the cardiovascular safety profiles of different antidiabetes drugs, and support recommendations that favour metformin as first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes affects more than 180 million people worldwide and is associated with at least a two-fold increased risk of death, mainly from cardiovascular disease.

Oral antidiabetes drugs are widely used to help control blood sugar levels, but there are concerns that some may increase cardiovascular risk.

Thus, researchers led by Professor Paul Elliott from Imperial College London set out to investigate the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction), congestive heart failure and death from any cause associated with prescription of different types of oral antidiabetes drugs.

They used data from 91,521 men and women (average age 65 years) with diabetes included in the UK General Practice Research Database between 1990 and 2005 and took into account factors that could potentially affect the results.

Metformin was the most commonly prescribed drug, followed by second generation sulphonylureas. Compared with metformin, both first and second generation sulphonylureas were linked with significant excess risk of all cause mortality, and second generation sulphonylureas with up to 30 percent excess risk of congestive heart failure.

Another class of antidiabetes drugs called thiazolidinediones were not associated with risk of heart attack, and there was significantly lower risk of all cause mortality associated with pioglitazone use compared with metformin.

"The sulphonylureas, along with metformin, have long been considered the mainstay of drug treatment for type 2 diabetes. Our findings suggest a relatively unfavourable risk profile of sulphonylureas compared with metformin," the British Medical Journal quoted the authors as saying.

SOURCE

Bariatric Surgery as effective treatment for Diabetes

2009-11-25T05:38:00.000-08:00

Here's a news article written by Melissa Healy for LA Times regarding the use of Bariatric surgery to treat Type 2 Diabetes patients.

Fifty international scientific and medical experts have issued a "consensus statement" declaring that bariatric surgery should be considered a treatment option for patients with Type 2 diabetes, even if they are not extremely obese.

The new guidelines, published today online in the Annals of Surgery, urge surgeons performing bariatric surgery and healthcare insurers reimbursing for such treatment to relax criteria, adopted in 1991, that have restricted such surgery to patients with a body-mass index of 35 or more.

Reviewing more than a decade's worth of studies on weight-loss surgery and diabetes, clinicians and researchers backing the document have concluded that the improved metabolic function that is typical in diabetic patients who undergo bariatric surgery is not merely an incidental effect of weight loss. "Surgery is a specific treatment for diabetes...the effect on diabetes is a direct consequence of the new anatomy created by surgery," said lead author Dr. Francesco Rubino, director of the gastrointestinal metabolic surgery program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College.

The implications, added Rubino in an interview, "are enormous." For starters, that finding should drive a broadening of the patient population offered the option of gastric bypass surgery or less invasive procedures that reduce the capacity of the gastrointestinal tract. Rubino said that patients with Type 2 diabetes that is poorly managed by diet, exercise and medicine should now routinely be assessed as surgery candidates.

Some of those will likely be far less overweight than the bulk of patients who have had the surgery for weight loss. Rubino cited the example of diabetic patients of Asian descent, who rarely reach a BMI of 35 but who might benefit from bariatric surgery.

For the more than 20 million Americans -- and counting -- thought to have Type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery may offer more than just another treatment option. Research shows that for many patients, diabetes abates dramatically and permanently with surgery. That, said Rubino, makes the possibility of a "cure"--a prospect not discussed until very recently--real for many patients who have been told that "living with diabetes" is the best they can do.

Beyond that, said Rubino, clinicians caring for these patients will need to optimize their pre- and post-operative care to serve a new objective: that of improving metabolic function. Currently, many bariatric surgery patients continue on diabetes medicines after their operation when that might not be optimal or even necessary.

Finally, the consensus finding should guide the search for drugs that can better treat Type 2 diabetes. Those should focus on how metabolic function is changed by an alteration of the gut's anatomy, and whether drugs could be developed or adapted to work in the same way, Rubino said.

Diabetes Debate : Diabetes Symptoms and Cost

2009-11-23T05:41:00.000-08:00

In the bitter debate about health care, here's one thing many people agree on: The U.S. spends too much on health care, and much of it could be avoided.

Diabetes is one of the big examples.

About 20 percent of health care spending goes to people with diabetes. The number of people with diabetes nearly doubled from 1995 to 2006. About 8 percent of Pennsylvania residents have the disease. About half of people with diabetes receive taxpayer-funded health care through programs including Medicare.

In theory, it might seem easy to slash the diabetes-related expense. The disease is often the result of lifestyle. People exercise too little and eat too much. They become obese and then diabetic. In reality, that's hard to change. American culture tends to encourage minimal activity and overeating. Despite the alarm about obesity, rates of obesity and diabetes are rising.

Pennsylvania is mounting an effort to improve the health of diabetics and reduce the expense. The effort, backed by the Rendell administration, is called the Pennsylvania Diabetes Action Plan. So far, it involves about 100 medical practices, and the goal is to make the approach standard among family doctors.

The effort involves promoting a team approach to caring for diabetes patients and making sure they get tests and other support needed to control the disease. Health insurers are involved.

A goal is to adjust the payment system to encourage medical practices to provide the best care for diabetics and reward good results.

Dr. Robert Gabbay heads the diabetes clinic at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where he has worked for 11 years. Gabbay, 51, is one of the leaders of the diabetes plan.

He recently discussed diabetes and the plan. (Gabbay's responses have been summarized.)

Why do so many people have diabetes, and why is it rising?

SOURCE

Diabetes Testing Mandatory in India

2009-11-20T05:33:00.000-08:00

Blood tests to detect diabetes are likely to be made compulsory at health centres across India following the internationally followed 'opportunistic screening' norm. The scheme was in its pilot stage in 10 states, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said Friday.

'The government has launched a National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPDCS) on a pilot basis in 10 districts in 10 states which, among other things, seeks to facilitate early detection of this disease. This is in consonance with the internationally accepted strategy of opportunistic screening,' Azad told the Lok Sabha.

According to the health ministry, the exact number of diabetics in India is not known but the World Health Organisation estimates that there were 32 million diabetics in India in 2004.

India is estimated to have the largest number of diabetics (80 million) in the world by 2030, Azad said.

'An outlay of Rs.1,660.50 crore (Rs.16.6 billion) has been allotted for NPDCS during 11th Five Year Plan which will cover the entire country eventually,' Azad informed.

SOURCE

Diabetes Frequently Asked Questions

2009-11-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes; another 57 million have prediabetes, a precursor to the disease. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that if the diabetes epidemic continues, one in three Americans will develop it in his or her lifetime.

That's especially bad news for women, because the disease can affect both mother and child during pregnancy, and women with diabetes are more likely to have a heart attack (and at a younger age) than women without diabetes. Along with the worries about diabetes, there's a lot of misinformation (like skinny girls can't get the disease, or eating too much candy causes it), which is why we've gathered expert answers to the most common questions.

What's the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It's most often diagnosed in patients under 18, but it can strike at any age. Type 1 diabetics need insulin to manage the disease.

In type 2 diabetes, the body loses its sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that helps muscles absorb and use blood sugar. Traditionally, type 2 diabetes was diagnosed in older people. But with the rise in obesity, it's now being diagnosed at younger ages, sometimes even in children. Some traditionally thin populations are also being diagnosed with the disease as well. Type 2 is generally treated with changes to diet and exercise habits, as well as oral medication or insulin.

How will I know if I have diabetes?

Diabetes may cause no symptoms at all, but some signs include frequent thirst and hunger, having to urinate more than usual, losing weight without trying to, fatigue, and crankiness. If you're concerned, get your blood-glucose level checked, says Deborah Fillman, a registered dietitian and the incoming president of the American Association of Diabetes Educators. A fasting blood-sugar test measures the amount of sugar in your blood after not eating for at least eight hours. Normal is 99 mg/dL or below. Prediabetes is 100 to 125, and diabetes is 126 and above.

My father has diabetes. Does that raise my risk?

Yes. Having a family member with diabetes raises your risk of developing type 1 by about 5 percent and type 2 diabetes by more than 30 percent.

Health.com: How your family may sabotage your efforts to manage diabetes

I've read that belly fat is a diabetes risk factor. Should I worry about my muffin top?

Yes. Excess fat around your midsection is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. (Type 1 diabetes has nothing to do with obesity). In particular, the visceral fat wrapped around your internal organs can pose a problem, and it increases insulin resistance (the problem in type 2 diabetes) more so than fat in other parts of your body.

Health.com: Why it pays to lose weight if you have type 2 diabetes

Being obese or overweight in general can hike your risk of type 2 diabetes by more than 90 times. Why? Overweight bodies may just be too big for their pancreases to keep up, says researcher Dr. John Buse, director of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Diabetes Care Center.

Can diet or exercise really prevent diabetes?

Yes, exercising and eating a healthy diet helps you keep off excess weight, which can prevent or at least delay diabetes. If you already have diabetes, doing aerobic exercise and resistance training helps by encouraging the muscles to take up more blood sugar.

Health.com: Can I drink alcohol with diabetes?

Over the short term, it may even reduce the amount of blood-sugar-lowering medication you need to take. Long term, exercise helps lower the risk of complications like blindness and nerve and kidney damage by helping you better manage blood-sugar levels. On the diet front, a recent study found that type 2 diabetics who ate a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fish, fruits, nuts, and olive oil, lost more weight and went longer without blood-sugar-lowering medication than those on a low-fat diet.

Health.com: 5 healthy snacks for people With diabetes

Could my sweet tooth lead to diabetes?

One of the oldest myths about diabetes is that sugar -- or a sweet tooth -- causes the disease. Says Riva Greenberg, a patient advocate and the author of 50 Diabetes Myths That Can Ruin Your Life, "A lot of people still think you get diabetes from eating too much candy."

Not true. Nor is it necessary for diabetics to avoid all sugar. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in whole grains, protein, veggies, and fruit -- and low in fat, cholesterol, and simple sugars (which cause blood sugar to spike) -- is a healthy plan for everybody.

I'm skinny, so I can't get diabetes, right?

Being overweight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, but 20 percent of people who get it are slim. "The number of type 2 diabetics is growing, especially in thin Asian populations," Greenberg says. Asian populations have higher concentrations of visceral fat, which may be a contributing factor, Buse explains.

If I had gestational diabetes that went away, should I worry?

Unfortunately, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes increases substantially -- between 20 percent and 50 percent. (Gestational diabetes occurs when hormones that help a baby's placenta develop interfere with the mother's insulin, resulting in higher blood sugars. It occurs in about 4 percent of U.S. pregnancies each year.) Your personal odds depend upon other factors like ethnicity, genetics, and weight. Losing weight after you've had a baby can help limit your risk.

SOURCE

Fight Diabetes by being fit

2009-11-02T08:17:00.000-08:00

Walk, run, ride a bike! Get involved in one of the several American Diabetes Association events where you can exercise, have fun and boost your health while you raise money for diabetes research, education and advocacy.

Train For and Enter a Marathon with Team Diabetes Team Diabetes is the marathon-training program for a marathon fundraising event of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Participants solicit donations as they train to run or walk a half or full marathon. Everyone at every level of walking and running is welcome. Your local ADA chapter provides training and support. Visit www.diabetes.org to find out where and when Team Diabetes meets at the location nearest you.

Tour de Cure Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held nationwide to benefit the ADA. It's not a race--it's a ride with routes designed for everyone from occasional riders to experienced cyclists. Participants travel a designated route supported from start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel the journey and fans to cheer them on!

Step Out Be a Red Strider and walk in a Step Out event. Red Striders are people who live with any type of diabetes who can walk as an individual or on a team with friends, family or coworkers to stop diabetes--one step at a time. The Red Strider Program showcases the courage it takes to live with this diabetes.

School Walk for Diabetes School Walk for Diabetes is a fundraising and educational event held in elementary and middle schools. In addition to raising funds for research, information and advocacy the event educates parents and teachers about the warning signs of diabetes in children, teaches kids the importance of exercise and healthy eating, and promotes community service and school spirit.

Diabetes supplies propel Brentwood-based Simplex Healthcare

2009-10-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

Simplex sells diabetes testing kits, glucose monitors and other supplies under the Diabetes Care Club brand name — an operation it bought two years ago — and it plans to sell other types of medical supplies soon to diversify.

CEO and co-founder Doug Hudson says Simplex's eventual goal is to become a publicly traded company. Already, Diabetes Care Club ranks among the top three firms nationally for the sale of diabetes supplies, with projected sales of $185 million this year, Hudson said.

"Two years ago, we were nothing but an idea, a concept. Over the next 18 to 24 months, we expect to double in size, to around 600 employees," he added. Hudson discussed how Simplex intends to reach its goals with Tennessean Business Editor Randy McClain.

What's your background; did you have any medical supply experience before starting this company?

I had just come from selling my piece of HearingPlanet.com, which was the largest hearing aid retailer online and a direct marketing business model. So, diabetes supplies wasn't too far a departure from that. My background was in marketing and call center operations. That led to this new venture.

Also, I knew diabetic supplies would be a much larger opportunity than Hearing Planet because of the size of the problem of diabetes. We went from 35 people employed by Diabetes Care Club when we bought it to more than 300 today and growing.

Who are the top three players today in diabetes supply?

If you start at the top, Liberty Medical is No. 1 with almost 1 million patients. Medco (a health-care giant with more than $51 billion in net sales last year) acquired them about the time that we bought Diabetes Care Club.

Another one we compete with is CCS Medical, which is backed by Warburg Pincus private equity, and they probably have 400,000 patients.

CCS has a very large sales force around the country that calls on physicians. We do more direct sales to patients.

In Nashville, there's also AmMed Direct, which focuses on mail-order medications for the diabetic patient. We focus on diabetic testing supplies, test strips, glucose meters.

We made a conscious decision early on not to get into the mail-order meds business because we feel like there's lots of other guys out there (that) do a great job for the patients. We want to focus on different areas where we think we can add the most value.

Diabetes is growing so quickly. Testing supplies are a primary product for the patient newly diagnosed with diabetes. That's how we want to get to know and keep the patient.

How do you tap into that huge market?

If you look at the U.S., there are 1.5 million new diabetics being diagnosed every year.

When they get the diagnosis from their doctor, they ask: "What do I do next?" And one of the first things they have to think about is routinely testing their blood sugar. And that's where we step in.

When it comes to testing equipment, what sort of meters do you supply?

We try to focus the patient on some of the newer meters, some of the newer technologies. Our goal isn't to just send them the cheapest meter. One of the big developments in our industry is no-coding technology.

With older meters whenever the diabetic got a new supply of test strips they'd have to punch a code into the meter to properly calibrate it for that batch of test strips.

Statistics show that one in six people code their meter wrong or don't code it at all. That's important because a lot of times those readings are what they set their insulin dose based on.

We decided early on to get no-code technology into the hands of our patients to make it a better experience.

When do you hope to take the company public, sell stock to investors?

Not at this time. We know it has potential, but right now we're focusing on growing our core business.

We're moving into a 92,000-square-foot office in Cool Springs off Carothers Parkway in November, and we will begin the process of recruiting for about 300 new staff members.

We're looking to double the size of our operations over the next 18 to 24 months. We can expand the new offices by an additional 50,000 square feet as the need arises.

We'll hire across the board. The jobs will pay anywhere from $30,000 to $75,000 a year. And here in Nashville, a health-care capital, we've got a well-trained, educated work force from which to recruit.

When you hire call or contact center personnel, how do you screen for medical knowledge or just plain patience?

Ellen Hitt, our vice president of human capital management, came on board and helped us get it right. There are a couple of things you look at. You hire attitude first; we want people on board who want to serve our patients.

There's a big difference between someone at a call center selling Ginsu knives, or just taking an order, versus someone who really personally connects with a patient and wants to help them.

We also hire for technical expertise. We do a skills assessment to judge whether they can handle the job. Secondly, we don't just sign off on a person after a single interview. They meet with their potential team captain, the department manager, a recruiter and human resources. Also, we're very focused on training and quality control after we hire someone.

What are some of Simplex's quality-control measures?

One of the things we look at is patient attrition; if we bring a patient on board and they order for the first time, do they order again? That's the ultimate metric on whether they're satisfied or not.

We also pay attention to feedback from patients on things they don't like. We used to print "Diabetes Care Club" on the boxes that we'd mail to people's homes. But many customers said they didn't like that. We thought from a branding and information standpoint it was a nice touch to have that on the box. But from the standpoint of someone newly diagnosed as a diabetic, many didn't want their neighbors to know or they were somehow embarrassed or bothered by it. We took that off the package.

How many patients do you have now?

At the end of August, we were at 187,000 patients, and we consider that ahead of plan. It's also evidence of just how bad the problem of diabetes is for our country.

In 2007, we had roughly $8 million in gross revenue. In 2008, it was around $56 million. This year, as of the close of Aug. 31, we were at $127 million. We're targeting around $185 million for this year as a whole. All that is through organic growth, not any other acquisitions.

Where do you advertise to reach the diabetic patient?

You'll see us on television, and you'll also see us on the Internet. On TV, we reach more of the newly diagnosed diabetic. On the Internet, you tend to see the patient's caregiver or a family member reaching out to find information — the son or grandson trying to help mom or grandma.

We like to use TV and the Web because we can easily track it to see what's effective and what's not. On TV, we run commercials with literally hundreds of 1-800 phone numbers so we know exactly which TV spots are working for us. We intend to spend $36 million on TV next year.

Are you considering making other acquisitions?

Let's take a step back and I'll tell you the broader vision for Simplex Healthcare. We'd like to serve 1 million patients across four or five product categories, not just diabetic supplies.

Right now, we have our Diabetes Care Club brand, and in August we launched a new division called CPAP Care Club that provides supplies to patients being treated for sleep apnea or sleep disorders.

We know there's a high incidence of people who have both diabetes and sleep apnea. We'd like to help them with both. If a patient is wearing a sleep apnea (oxygen machine) at night, we can provide them the masks, the filters, the tubing … all of which need to get replaced on a regular basis.

We have diversified as a company with CPAP Care Club. We didn't do this one through an acquisition. We started it from scratch. We'd like to get our bearings first and learn how the market works. We think that will make us a much smarter potential acquirer later in this arena.

Separately, for us to buy something else in the diabetic supply space … the odds are pretty low.

How did you pick sleep apnea services as your second division?

We asked our existing clients a whole list of questions, and what we found out was that about 62 percent of our patient base has sleep apnea. So, there's a very high coincidence of diabetes with sleep apnea. And, I wear a sleep apnea machine. Hey, I know a little bit about this, too.

Masks, filters and tubing are key supplies. It's a consumable that needs to be replenished every 90 days. And as we touch base with our diabetic patients about their supplies, we can serve both and do it in a cost-efficient way.

Source: www.tennessean.com

High Tech DIABETES TESTING Kits

2009-10-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Diabetes devices

Start Fitness Now: Beating Type 2 Diabetes - A DVD by Kim Lyons

2009-10-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

Kim Lyons, NBC's "Biggest Loser" trainer, has announced a new three-title DVD series entitled “Start Fitness Now: Beating Type 2 Diabetes.” The DVD is supported by an online forum and was developed in collaboration with Shaila Singh, MD, Diplomat of the American Association of Family Physicians.

According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 20.5 million adults in the United States are affected by type 2 diabetes. Among blacks, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is about 33 percent, and among Latinos, 38 percent. A major concern is the growing number of children who are developing type 2 diabetes. The Mayo Clinic notes that obesity is the primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes among children. Inactivity is another risk factor, as well as family history and race (Latinos, blacks, Native Americans, and Asian-Americans are more likely to develop the disease).

The DVD series is a guide to motive people to take responsibility for their own health and to help prevent type 2 diabetes or manage it if they already have the disease. The program on the DVDs is designed to give individuals the motivation to engage in 20 minutes of physical activity daily. Dr. Singh notes that she recommends patients engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week, a goal this DVD can help people achieve.

Each volume of the “Start Fitness Now: Beating Type 2 Diabetes” DVD includes two 20-minute workouts. For example, the first DVD is entitled “Sit Down and Shape Up 1,” and involves using a kitchen chair and doing a cardio walk. “Sit Down and Shape Up 2” includes muscle warming movements, while “Stand Up and Slim Down” consists of walking workouts. Overall the workouts are designed to strength the body, increase heart rate, enhance blood flow, and work the muscles without straining the joints.

Type 2 diabetes is an epidemic, and it is a disease that is associated with serious complications, including kidney failure, amputation, nerve damage, and vision problems. These and other risks can be reduced by more than 50 percent if people lose excess weight and engage in physical activity. The “Start Fitness Now” DVD offers patients a way to improve their health and fight this disease. Consumers can get online support, including nutrition tips, recipes, an explanation of diabetes, podcasts, weekly food journals, and more on the startfitnessnow.com website.

SOURCES:
American Diabetes Association
Mayo Clinic
Watch It Now Entertainment

This article is from www.emaxhealth.com

Diabetes Drug, Helping Obese Adults Lose Weight

2009-10-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

A diabetes drug currently in clinical trials may have the added benefit of helping obese adults lose weight.

A study in the Lancet found that the injectable medication liraglutide, brand name Victoza, helped participants lose an average of 4.8 kilograms (10.6 pounds) with a 1.2-milligram dose, the lowest dosage available. Those who received higher doses lost more weight, up to 7.2 kilograms (15.8 pounds) with the highest dose given. Liraglutide also lowered blood pressure at all dose levels.

The study included 564 obese European adults without clinical diabetes who were randomly assigned to one of five groups for a period of 20 weeks. Four groups received differing dosages of liraglutide (1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.0 milligrams). One group received the weight loss medication orlistat, found in the currently available medications Xenical and Alli. The control group received a placebo.

In addition to the medication, participants increased physical activity and followed a calorie-restricted diet.

Liraglutide works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 which is released into the small intestine after eating. It tells the body to release more insulin to lower blood sugar levels, and also signals the brain to stop eating. The naturally occurring hormone is typically eliminated from the bloodstream within minutes, but liraglutide contains a molecule to make it more resistant and the effects last for a full day.

After the completion of the study, researchers tracked the participants for two years and found that those on liraglutide kept the weight off.

Until this study, liraglutide had only been tested for its anti-glycemic action in people with type 2 diabetes. A third of the patients in the Lancet study were considered “pre-diabetic”, meaning blood sugar levels were elevated but not enough to qualify for clinical diabetes. At the higher doses, liraglutide reduced blood sugar to normal in 84 to 95% of participants.

The most common side effect of the medication was nausea and vomiting. This generally occurred during the first month of the study. No other serious side effects were observed.

Liraglutide is being developed by Novo Nordisk and is currently in phase II trials in the United States. It has been approved for diabetes treatment in Europe.

SOURCE:
"Effects of liraglutide in the treatment of obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study"
Arne Astrup, Stephan Rössner, Luc Van Gaal, Aila Rissanen, Leo Niskanen, Mazin Al Hakim, Jesper Madsen, Mads F Rasmussen, Michael E J Lean, on behalf of the NN8022-1807 Study Group
Lancet, online October 23, 2009

Source: Denise Reynolds RD

This article is from www.emaxhealth.com

India leads the world in the looming epidemic of diabetes

2009-10-20T00:14:00.000-07:00

MONTREAL: India leads the world in the looming epidemic of diabetes, the 20th annual World Diabetes Congress of the International Diabetic

Federation (IDF) was told here on Monday.

In its annual report, the IDF said India currently has the highest number of 50.8 million people suffering from diabetes, followed by China with 43.2 million and the US with 26.8 million. The report projected 58.7 million diabetes cases in India by 2010 - almost 7 per cent of its adult population.

By 2030, over 8.4 per cent of the Indian adult population will suffer from diabetes, thanks to the increasing life expectancy and urbanisation, the report said.

Warning Indian policy makers, the report said, "Evidence suggests that in more affluent parts of the country, the rural prevalence is higher than in less affluent rural areas, indicating that increasing economic growth will raise diabetes prevalence in India even more than these possibly conservative estimates have indicated.''

The rampaging diabetes will impose a huge economic burden on India and other countries, it added. Apart from losing billions in lost productivity, the report said, India will also be spending $2.8 billion annually on diabetes control measures by 2010.

There are estimated to be 285 million diabetes cases worldwide, accounting for seven per cent of the world's population.

Diabetes, along with cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, accounts for 60 per cent ff all deaths worldwide.

"Diabetes imposes a large economic burden on the individual, national healthcare system and economy. Healthcare expenditures on diabetes are expected to account for 11.6 per cent of the total healthcare expenditure in the world in 2010,'' the report said.

"Estimated global healthcare expenditures to treat and prevent diabetes and its complications are expected to total at least $376 billion in 2010.''

Addressing the congress, Martin Silink, outgoing president of the International Diabetic Federation, said the epidemic of diabetes will increase from 7 million new cases a year in 2007 to 10 million new cases this year.

The epidemic is getting out of control, said incoming IDF president Jean-Claude Mbanya. He said if the trend continues unchecked, there will be 435 million people with diabetes worldwide by 2030.

More than 12,000 delegates and 400 speakers from around the world are attending the congress.

This article is from economictimes.indiatimes.com

What is SMBG?

2009-10-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

SMBG is self-monitoring of blood glucose. Using a blood glucose monitor to do SMBG testing can help you improve control of your sugar levels. The results you get from an SMBG test can help you make appropriate adjustments to your medicine, diet and/or level of physical activity. Every person with diabetes should have a blood glucose monitor and know how to use it.

How often should I do SMBG testing?
Your family doctor will recommend how often you should test. Testing times are based on the kind of medicine you take and on how well your sugar levels are controlled.

What time of day should I test?
Recommendations for the best time of day to test your blood sugar depend on your medicine, mealtimes and sugar control. On the chart below, your doctor will check the times when you should test your sugar. Your doctor may also suggest different goals, depending on your situation.

Check your blood sugar if:

    * You have symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),which include dizziness, shaking, sweating, chills and confusion
    * You have symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia),which include sleepiness, blurred vision, frequent urination and excessive thirst
    * You need to learn how meals, physical activity and medicine affect your blood sugar level
    * You have a job in which poor blood sugar control could cause safety problems
    * You need help deciding if it is safe to drive or perform other tasks that require concentration if you are taking insulin or have had hypoglycemia in the past

Reasons to check your blood sugar more frequently:

    * If your diabetes medicine changes
    * If you begin taking other kinds of medicines
    * If you change your diet
    * If your exercise routine or activity level changes
    * If your level of stress increases
    * If you are sick. When you are sick, even without eating, your sugar levels may run high, so testing is important.

Follow your doctor's testing recommendations during this time. Continue testing more often until you have maintained your SMBG goal values for at least 1 week, or until your doctor advises you that more frequent testing is no longer necessary.

SOURCE: www.familydoctor.org

Diabetes Primer

2009-10-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

Diabetes interferes with the way the body processes the sugar glucose, the body's main source of energy. When all is going well, cells absorb glucose from the blood stream after we've eaten and use it as fuel, or pack it away for future use. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, orchestrates the process. With diabetes, the process breaks down, and glucose start to builds up in the blood.

There are three types of diabetes:

- Type 1, usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, is caused when the body can't produce insulin. The body's immune system or environmental factors are believed to trigger Type 1, which accounts for 10 per cent of diabetes.

- Type 2, which accounts for 90 per cent of diabetes, usually begins when the glucose-absorbing cells lose their ability to mop up sugar and it starts to build up in the blood. Overeating, sedentary lifestyles and an aging population are believed to be fuelling the explosion of Type 2, which affects 250 million people worldwide, up from 30 million in 1985.

- Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and increases the risk to both the mother and child of developing Type 2.

- "Pre-diabetes" means the body's cells are not responding properly to insulin, and sugar levels in the blood begin to rise. Left unchecked, more tha half of people with pre-diabetes develop full-blown diabetes within eight to 10 years.

There are three types of diabetes:

- Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and increases the risk to both the mother and child of developing Type 2.

SOURCE

DIABETES TESTING: Animals Can Have Diabetes Too

2009-10-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

Diabetes mellitus, or DM, occurs in an estimated one out of every 500 dogs and one out of every 400 cats.

DM usually occurs in middle-aged dogs (6 to 9 years) with females being three times more likely to develop the condition than males.

The most commonly affected breeds include German shepherd dogs, schnauzers, beagles, poodles, golden retrievers, and keeshonds.

There is no breed predisposition among cats, but castrated males are more commonly affected. DM has been diagnosed in cats of all ages, but typically occurs in older cats.

The cells of the body use a sugar known as glucose for food. Glucose can only be absorbed and utilized by the cells in the presence of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas.

If insulin is not available to move glucose into the cells it accumulates in the bloodstream creating a condition called hyperglycemia.

Most dogs and 5-20 percent of cats are affected by Type I or "insulin dependent" diabetes, a condition where the pancreas produces no insulin at all.

The remaining 80-95 percent of cats will suffer from Type II or "non-insulin dependent" diabetes, a condition where the pancreas produces some insulin, but not enough.

The most commonly seen signs of DM in cats and dogs include excessive drinking, excessive urination, excessive eating, weight loss or weight gain, and dehydration.

In cats the rear legs may become weak or wobbly (due to nerve damage). In dogs, vision problems and cataracts may become apparent.

To diagnose DM your veterinarian we use a complete blood count, serum chemistry and urinalysis.
These tests will be used to confirm a persistent fasting hyperglycemia and identify concurrent infections.

The goals of treatment are to reduce or eliminate the signs associated with persistent hyperglycemia and to prevent cataracts, nerve damage and other diabetic complications.

This means a low carbohydrate diet for cats and a high-fiber, moderate carbohydrate diet for dogs. Numerous prescription diets are available. Insulin injections will probably need to be given once or twice a day. Although this may seem daunting at first, most people do quite well with just a little practice.

Cats and dogs may be treated with animal insulin or with human synthetic insulin.
The type of insulin used will vary between pets and may require some experimentation.

If left untreated diabetes is life threatening. However, early diagnosis and treatment may prevent nerve damage, blindness, and even lead to remission in many cats.

Because early diagnosis is so important, our hospital offers wellness blood testing during yearly exams. As always, if you have any questions or concerns contact your veterinarian.

(Dr. Chris Rainey, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital of Orange Grove, encourages questions for this column. Write to South Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, 20005 Pineville Road, Long Beach, MS 39560 and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.)

This article is from www.sanluisobispo.com

When is DIABETES TESTING ordered?

2009-10-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Blood glucose testing can be used to screen healthy, asymptomatic individuals for diabetes and pre-diabetes because diabetes is a common disease that begins with few symptoms. Screening for glucose may occur during public health fairs or as part of workplace health programs. It may also be ordered when a patient has a routine physical exam. Screening is especially important for people at high risk of developing diabetes, such as those with a family history of diabetes, those who are overweight, and those who are more than 40 to 45 years old.

The glucose test may also be ordered to help diagnose diabetes when someone has symptoms of hyperglycemia, such as:

    * Increased thirst
    * Increased urination
    * Fatigue
    * Blurred vision
    * Slow-healing infections

or symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as:

    * Sweating
    * Hunger
    * Trembling
    * Anxiety
    * Confusion
    * Blurred Vision

Blood glucose testing is also done in emergency settings to determine if low or high glucose is contributing to symptoms such as fainting and unconsciousness. If a patient has pre-diabetes (characterized by fasting or OGTT levels that are higher than normal but lower than those defined as diabetic), the doctor will order a glucose test at regular intervals to monitor the patient’s status. With known diabetics, doctors will order glucose levels in conjunction with other tests such as hemoglobin A1c to monitor glucose control over a period of time.

Occasionally, a blood glucose level may be ordered along with insulin and C-peptide to monitor insulin production.

Diabetics may be required to self-check their glucose, once or several times a day, to monitor glucose levels and to determine treatment options as prescribed by their doctor.

Pregnant women are usually screened for gestational diabetes late in their pregnancies, unless they have early symptoms or previously have had gestational diabetes. When a woman has gestational diabetes, her doctor will usually order glucose levels throughout the rest of her pregnancy and after delivery to monitor her condition.

SOURCE: www.labtestsonline.com

Why do we need DIABETES TESTING?

2009-10-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

The reason to care about testing is because by paying attention to the amount of sugar in the blood, we may actually save a diabetics’ life by preventing extreme events like crippling falls, dangerous disorientation, and severe comas.

Most diabetics take medication to help our body’s natural system of balancing the amount of sugar in our blood. And the medication science has given us is not perfect yet. So when our bodies are not chemically balanced--when the sugar in our blood is too high or too low--we have extreme events forced upon us. Stories about diabetics passing out, going into comas, and having accidents because of the diabetes are true.

So, when we care for a person with diabetes, we learn about living with these very real fears. And it is important that everyone realize that extreme events happen to diabetics even when doing our best to prevent them. That is why having diabetes is scary for all concerned. But even if you don’t have a clue about the complexities of the disease, help the aging diabetics you know by testing their blood sugar for them.

Routine doctor visits should always include a blood sugar test by medical personnel. But accidents due to unstable blood sugars in diabetics don’t usually happen at the doctor’s office. This is why family, friends, and caregivers who do blood testing every day will improve safety for the aging diabetics they love and serve.

SOURCE: National Council of Aging (Article Written by Laura Murphy Baillie)

Choosing Your DIABETES TESTING Meter

2009-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Good day! If you have anything you wish to add on this list, based on your own experience with DIA
BETES TESTING Meters, please feel free to share it with us by posting a comment. Thank you.

Features to Consider When Choosing Your Meter

Size of meter
If you carry your meter with you, consider a smaller meter and carrying case.

Size and location of buttons
Larger buttons may be easier for you if you have trouble using your hands or fingers.

Size and packaging of test strips
You must be able to open the foil wrapped or vial of strips. You also need to be able to pick up the strip to place it into the meter.

Blood sample size
If you test your blood sugar frequently, have trouble getting enough blood, or like to use sites other than fingers, consider a meter with strips that require 1 micro-liter of blood or less.

Meter memory
Memory features differ from meter to meter. Some meters store the result of one blood sugar test; others store up to 3000 tests.

Some meters can give you averages of blood sugar tests done in the past 7, 14, 30, or more days. Many meters have computer download capabilities and can display charts or graphs of your blood sugar results. Some meters even have the ability to keep track of food eaten, exercise, and medication, if you are willing to enter the information.

Batteries
Some meters use batteries that are easy to find (AA, AAA) at local stores. Other meters use batteries that need to be purchased at electronic stores such as Radio Shack. One simple solution is to carry a spare battery with you at all times. The battery life of most meters is about 2000 blood sugar tests.

Comparing meter features
Refer to the “Blood Glucose Monitors Reference Guide” from Diabetes Health.

SOURCE: www.diabeteshealth.com

DIABETES TESTING Tips

2009-09-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Diabetes test tips and tricks
By taking the blood glucose diabetes test, you can make smart choices about managing your diabetes. For example, you can decide when and how much medicine to take, when to exercise and when to eat meals or snacks. And you’ll ensure good results when you follow these tips:

Strip tips

1) Always use a fresh test strip. Diabetes test strips are only good for three months after opening the vial.
2) Code your meter. When opening a new container of diabetes test strips, be sure to code your meter using control solution and a new strip.

Sample tips

1) Wash and dry your hands. Before performing your diabetes test, use an alcohol
pad to clean the area that you're going to prick. (Washing your hands in hot water gets the blood flowing).
2) Use a fresh lancet. Prick yourself with a fresh, sterile lancet to get a drop of blood.
Reusing lancets can lead to calluses, infections and increased pain.
3) Try the side. It may be easier and less painful to prick your fingertip on one side, not
on the pad — especially if you perform this diabetes test several times a day.
4) Dangle and squeeze. If you have trouble getting a sample, try dangling your hand below your heart for a minute then slowly squeeze from the base to the tip.

Bad results?

1) If the entire color spot area of the diabetes test strip does not show full color development (not enough blood) or appears “wet” (too much blood), discard the strip and repeat the diabetes test with a new test strip.
2) If your diabetes test results in an abnormally high or low test reading (a number you feel does not match your symptoms), use control solution to check that your meter is coded properly. Then, retest.

SOURCE: American Diabetes Association

Tips on DIABETES TESTING 2

2009-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Proper Disposal of Syringes and Lancets from www.americandiabetes.com

Laws regarding the proper disposal of your insulin syringes and lancets, vary from state to state. Primarily you would want to dispose of these items in a puncture-proof and leak-proof container, referred to as a Sharps Container. It's important to dispose of insulin syringes and lancets in order to protect individuals who may come in contact with your discarded needles, for example, your trash collector.

To find out what is required in your local area, try contacting one of the following agencies for specific information for your immediate area: Hazardous Waste Disposal, Public Health Department, or your community hospital.

Sharps containers can be purchased from your local or mail-order diabetic supplier.

Some communities may offer an exchange program in which you can swap out a filled container for a new one. Other communities may offer a mail-in service to exchange or dispose of the sharps containers.

If these options are not available and purchasing a Sharps Container is not in your budget, please follow health/safety guidelines. Use a rigid, leak & puncture-proof plastic container, such as a Clorox bottle & mark it as Bio-Hazard. When it is full, put the lid on and tape it securely shut. Place this bottle in the middle of the trash bag, and double-bag. Do not recycle hazardous materials!

SOURCE

Molecular Mechanism Underlying A Form Of Diabetes Revealed

2009-09-09T05:35:00.000-07:00

By investigating a rare and severe form of diabetes in children, University of Iowa researchers have discovered a new molecular mechanism that regulates specialized pancreatic cells and insulin secretion. The mechanism involves a protein called ankyrin, which UI researchers previously linked to potentially fatal human heart arrhythmias.

The findings, which appear this week in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may help identify new molecular targets for treating both rare and common forms of diabetes and hyperinsulinemia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 23.6 million people have diabetes in the United States. The condition doubles the risk of death and includes complications such as heart disease, stroke, eye and kidney problems, and peripheral vascular disease.

The University of Iowa team, working with researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, used animal and cellular models to focus on a gene mutation linked with permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus. Children with this genetic form of diabetes have symptoms by age 6 months and require lifelong dependence on insulin to maintain proper glucose levels.

The team discovered that the specific human gene mutation disrupts the ability of the protein ankyrin to regulate a key protein complex known as the KATP channel.

"We have known for some time that human mutations in the KATP channel complex may cause diabetes or hyperinsulinemia," said Faith Kline, Ph.D., the study's lead author and postdoctoral fellow in internal medicine in the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. "Now we know something about how this specific KATP channel mutation results in disease.

"The KATP channel essentially functions as a gatekeeper for insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells. Without proper regulation by this gatekeeper, the pancreatic beta cells are unable to efficiently regulate insulin secretion."

In a healthy individual, pancreatic beta cells respond to changes in blood glucose levels by secreting the appropriate amount of insulin. Beta cell dysfunction may result in abnormal blood glucose regulation and severe diabetes.

"A key finding in this study was identifying the ankyrin protein in the pancreatic beta cell, which is a type of excitable cell. Ankyrins also play critical roles for ion channel regulation in other excitable cells, such as neurons and heart cells called cardiomyocytes," said the paper's senior author, Peter Mohler, Ph.D., University of Iowa associate professor of internal medicine and a Pew Scholar.

Specifically, the team found that the gene mutation prevents most KATP channels from binding with ankyrin, which typically acts as a cellular chaperone. This failure prevents the KATP channels from reaching their normal destination in the cell membrane.

"Ankyrin proteins are like cellular taxi-cabs that carry passenger channels to the cell membrane. In the case of this KATP gene mutation, the ankyrin and channels cannot interact properly, and so the channels basically 'miss their ride' and do not get to the desired location," Mohler said.

The team also found that the few mutant KATP channels that do reach the pancreatic cell membrane do not respond to alterations in cellular metabolism. As a result, the pancreatic beta cells do not release insulin appropriately.

"This is another exciting example of how understanding the basis of rare disease has provided unexpected and fascinating insight into the molecular pathways that govern human physiology," Mohler said.

The Washington University members of the research team were Harley Kurata, Ph.D., and Colin Nichols, Ph.D. Other University of Iowa members of the team included Mark E. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., Thomas J. Hund, Ph.D., Shane R. Cunha, Ph.D., Patrick Wright, and Olha Koval, Ph.D.

Source:
Becky Soglin
University of Iowa
From medicalnewstoday.com

FDA Issues Warning on Certain Diabetes Test Strip

2009-09-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

Last August 14, 2009 the The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory Friday warning healthcare practitioners against using a type of glucose test strip in diabetes patients because it may produce falsely high blood-sugar results when the patients are using therapies containing nonglucose sugars.

The FDA said non-glucose sugar products in some products such as peritoneal dialysis solutions and some immunoglobulins, mostly used in patients with kidney failure and rheumatoid arthritis, can falsely elevate glucose results if used along side test strips that use glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinoline quinone, which could prompt administration of too much insulin.

Most GDH-PQQ devices are used in healthcare facilities, and Bayer Diabetes Care released a statement earlier saying that its diabetes testing products did not use GDH-PQQ.

Source : FDA Issues Warning Over Certain Diabetes Test Strip by Alaric DeArment

Non Invasive DIABETES TESTING

2009-09-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking of buying a non invasive DIABETES TESTING kit. I'm just not sure yet if this is good for monitoring per se or for diagnosing diabetes. If you happen to be using any of the non-invasive DIABETES TESTING kits, please share with me your experiences by posting a comment. Thank you.

By the way, on my way to researching on this non invasive DIABETES TESTING, i found this short article naming a particular brand. I wonder if it really works.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a noninvasive blood glucose monitoring device for adults, children, and adolescents with diabetes. Noninvasive monitoring means checking blood glucose levels without puncturing the skin for a blood sample. The GlucoWatch G2 Biographer, manufactured by Cygnus Inc., was approved to detect glucose level trends and track patterns in people with diabetes. It must be used along with conventional blood glucose monitoring of blood samples. The device, which looks like a wristwatch, pulls body fluid from the skin using small electric currents. It can provide six measurements per hour for 13 hours.

Over the years, scientists have been trying to find noninvasive ways for people with diabetes to measure their blood glucose. Most methods of monitoring blood glucose require a blood sample, usually obtained by using an automatic lancing device on a finger. Some meters use a blood sample from a less sensitive area, such as the upper arm, forearm, or thigh. Other devices use a beam of light instead of a lancet to pierce the skin. SOURCE

DIABETES AMBASSADOR: Nick Jonas

2009-08-25T01:13:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2009 -- Nick Jonas made a passionate plea to an audience of journalists at the National Press Club asking them to raise more awareness about type 1 diabetes to motivate young people like him and their families to properly manage their condition. Nick, 16, is one of the youngest guests ever invited to speak at the Club. He talked about his own journey with diabetes, the charitable efforts of the Jonas Brothers' Change for the Children Foundation and why he embraces the role of diabetes ambassador.

Nick recounted that until he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes almost four years ago, he didn't know anything about, or anybody else with, the condition. That has all since changed. With the love and support of his family, he has learned how to live with and manage his condition. He wrote the song, "A Little Bit Longer," to share that experience and inspire others. In 2007 Nick went public with his diabetes. The impact of that announcement and his subsequent work with the Bayer Diabetes Care NicksSimpleWins.com campaign has had far reaching global impact, helping to raise awareness of the disease. Much more needs to be done, he said, and he asked reporters to help.

"So many fans with diabetes from all over the world share their stories and thank me for being an inspiration to them," said Nick. "It's important for them to know that they motivate and inspire me as well. I'm lucky to have a great support system in my family as well as the tools I need to manage my diabetes properly. By speaking publicly about my experience I hope to increase diabetes awareness, encourage diabetes education and help fundraising for research and other programs for kids with diabetes. The more you report about diabetes, the more people will know," he told members of the press.

Nick's passion for helping other young people with diabetes by sharing his experience is just one of the ways he "gives back" to fans. He and his brothers, Kevin and Joe, started the Jonas Brothers' Change for the Children Foundation through which they donate funds to several causes including pediatric diabetes research, education and treatment.

"When Nick talks about diabetes, people listen. And until there is a cure, the greatest weapon against diabetes is increased awareness and knowing how to manage it," said Nancy Katz, head of North America for Bayer Diabetes Care. "That includes working with a health care professional for guidance on regular monitoring of blood sugar and A1C levels, proper diet and exercise and having a positive attitude to achieve every day simple wins."

Since the announcement of their partnership last year, Bayer and Nick have taken many steps to inspire young people with diabetes to achieve their simple wins: small, everyday victories for managing diabetes that can lead to big differences over time.

In recognition of his efforts in raising diabetes awareness over the past year, Bayer presented Nick with another $100,000 donation to the Jonas Brothers' Change for the Children Foundation to support its ongoing commitment to pediatric diabetes.

In August 2008, announcing the start of their partnership with Nick, Bayer presented the Jonas Brothers with a $100,000 donation for their foundation. In the interim, Nick and Bayer created special dog tags, like the one Nick wears featuring a lyric from his song, "A Little Bit Longer." Proceeds from the sales of the dog tags benefit the Jonas Brothers' Change for the Children Foundation. The dog tags are available through www.NicksSimpleWins.com for a donation of $5. Since the dog tag program launched in November 2008, it has raised an additional $75,000 for the Jonas Brothers' Change for the Children Foundation.

To read the full article. click Nick Jonas Speaks at National Press Club in Effort to Inspire Kids with Diabetes

Recommendations on DIABETES TESTING

2009-08-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

This article is from www.mayoclinic.com. I find it very helpful in understanding the DIABETES TESTING procedures we undergo upon consultation. I hope you'll find it informative too.

In June 2009, an international committee composed of experts from the American Diabetes Association, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and the International Diabetes Federation recommended that type 1 diabetes testing include the:

Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. It works by measuring the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The higher your blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin you'll have with sugar attached. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. A result between 6 and 6.5 percent is considered prediabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes.

If the A1C test isn't available, or if you have certain conditions that can make the A1C test inaccurate — such as if you're pregnant or have an uncommon form of hemoglobin (known as a hemoglobin variant) — your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose diabetes:

Random blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken at a random time. Blood sugar values are expressed in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Regardless of when you last ate, a random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher suggests diabetes, especially when coupled with any of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, such as frequent urination and extreme thirst.
Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes.

If you're diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor will also run blood tests to check for autoantibodies that are common in type 1 diabetes. These tests help your doctor distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The presence of ketones — byproducts from the breakdown of fat — in your urine also suggests type 1 diabetes, rather than type 2.

After the diagnosis

Once you've been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you'll regularly visit your doctor to ensure good diabetes management. During these visits, the doctor will also check your A1C levels. Your target A1C goal may vary depending on your age and various other factors, but the American Diabetes Association generally recommends that A1C levels be below 7 percent, which translates to an estimated average glucose of 154 mg/dL (8.5 mmol/L).

Compared with repeated daily blood sugar tests, A1C testing better indicates how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. An elevated A1C level may signal the need for a change in your insulin regimen or meal plan.
In addition to the A1C test, the doctor will also take blood and urine samples periodically to check your cholesterol levels, thyroid function, liver function and kidney function and to test for celiac disease. The doctor will also examine you to assess your blood pressure, and he or she will check the sites where you test your blood sugar and deliver insulin.

What is Oral Glucose Tolerance Test?

2009-08-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

This article is from www.medicine.net

Oral glucose tolerance test: A test to determine the body's ability to handle glucose .

In the test, a person fasts overnight (at least 8 but not more than 16 hours). Then first, the fasting plasma glucose is tested. After this test, the person receives 75 grams of glucose (100 grams for pregnant women). Usually, the glucose is in a sweet-tasting liquid that the person drinks. Blood samples are taken up to four times to measure the blood glucose.

For the test to give reliable results, the person must be in good health (not have any other illnesses, not even a cold). Also, the person should be normally active (not lying down, for example, as an inpatient in a hospital) and the person should not be taking medicines that could affect the blood glucose. For 3 days before the test, the person should have eaten a diet high in carbohydrates (150-200 grams per day). The morning of the test, the person should not smoke or drink coffee.

The oral glucose tolerance test measures blood glucose levels 5 times over a period of 3 hours. In a person without diabetes, the glucose levels rise and then fall quickly. In someone with diabetes, glucose levels rise higher than normal and fail to come back down as fast.

People with glucose levels between normal and diabetic have what is termed "impaired glucose tolerance" (IGT). People with IGT do not have diabetes. Each year, only 1-5% of people whose test results show IGT actually develop diabetes. And with retesting, as many as half of the people with IGT have normal oral glucose tolerance test results. Weight loss and exercise may help people with IGT return their glucose levels to normal.
Oral glucose tolerance depends on a number of factors including the ability of the intestine to absorb glucose, the power of the liver to take up and store glucose, the capacity of the pancreas to produce insulin, the amount of "active" insulin it produces, and the sensitivity of the cells in the body to the action of insulin.

To know what outcomes the test would show, click SOURCE

Free DIABETIC SUPPLIES

2009-08-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Good day! This morning, I found this website called www.mydiabetessupply.com advertising Free DIABETIC SUPPLIES. I'm just wondering if anyone has ever tried this before. Please share your experiences with me/us by posting a comment. Thank you.

I found this bit of information in their site. However, upon clicking the link which supposedly leads to the Free section, I was diverted to another website offering Free Smileys. Disappointing. Anyway, I've manage to post the name of the company who is advertising the Free DIABETES SUPPLIES. Please see below:

QualityHealth is the best rated and fastest growing community for diabetic people, their caregivers and/or loved ones, and health care professionals. If you are one of the millions of Americans suffering from diabetes, you may qualify to receive free diabetic supplies or at little cost.

Tips on DIABETIC TESTING

2009-08-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Getting a Blood Sample from your Fingers:

All glucose meters vary in technique. Refer to your owner's manual for more information specific to your glucose meter and diabetic testing strips. However, here are some simple diabetic testing tips for getting a blood sample from your fingers.

Wash hands with warm soapy water
Avoid using alcohol, since it can cause drying and cracking of the skin
Shake hand down at the side of your body to increase blood flow
Grasp finger near the area to be lanced and squeeze gently until redness appears
Prick the side, rather that the center of the finger, because there are fewer nerve endings
Squeeze gently until you obtain a large drop of blood; do not apply force
If necessary, gently rub hand from the base of the palm to the finger tip to increase flow
When you have a large hanging drop of blood, apply it to pad on the test strip. Or, if your strips are "sip-in" style, touch the strip to the blood droplet.

NOTE: All glucose meters and their corresponding testing strips require varying amounts of blood to acquire an accurate reading. If you have difficulty acquiring blood, consider changing to a glucose meter that requires a minimal sampling. SOURCE

What is the Fasting Plasma Glucose Test?

2009-08-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Fasting Plasma Glucose Test is a DIABETES TEST that screens for diabetes by measuring the level of glucose in a person’s blood plasma after a period of fasting (not eating). It is given to nonpregnant adults who are at high risk for diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, these “high-risk” candidates for testing include everyone age 45 or older, obese individuals (people who are 120% of their recommended body weight or above), individuals with first-degree relatives (parents, children, or siblings) with diabetes, members of high-risk ethnic groups (Native Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, and African-Americans), women who’ve had gestational diabetes or given birth to big babies (9 pounds or more), people with high blood pressure, people with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels at or below 35 mg/dl or triglyceride levels at or above 250 mg/dl, and individuals who have impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance.

The fasting plasma glucose test is performed after a person has fasted for at least 8 hours. A sample of blood is taken from a vein in the arm. If the blood glucose level is greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl, the person is retested and, if the results are consistent, diagnosed with diabetes. (Until a few years ago, the diagnostic cut-off point was 140 mg/dl, but the ADA lowered it because research has shown that even people with fasting plasma glucose levels between 126 mg/dl and 140 mg/dl tend to develop the medical complications of diabetes.)
Individuals with a fasting plasma glucose level less than 126 mg/dl but greater than or equal to 110 mg/dl are classified as having impaired fasting glucose. Though they do not have diabetes, these individuals do not metabolize glucose normally, and they have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, blood lipid disorders, and Type 2 diabetes. SOURCE

How does the A1C Test work?

2009-07-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

An A1C (also known as glycated hemoglobin or HbA1c) test gives you a picture of your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months. The results give you a good idea of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.

In some ways, the A1C test is like a baseball player's season batting average. Both A1C and the batting average tell you about a person's overall success. Neither a single day's blood test results nor a single game's batting record gives the same big picture.

How does this type of DIABETES TESTING work?

You know from the name that the test measures something called A1C. You may wonder what it has to do with your blood sugar control. Hemoglobin is found inside red blood cells. Its job is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body. Hemoglobin, like all proteins, links up with sugars such as glucose.

You know that when you have uncontrolled diabetes you have too much sugar in your bloodstream. This extra glucose enters your red blood cells and links up (or glycates) with molecules of hemoglobin. The more excess glucose in your blood, the more hemoglobin gets glycated. It is possible to measure the percentage of A1C in the blood. The result is an overview of your average blood glucose control for the past few months.

To know more about the A1C DIABETES TEST, click SOURCE.

Gestational DIABETES TESTING

2009-07-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Three-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test

Why it’s done: To confirm or rule out gestational diabetes.

When it's done: After you have received an abnormal reading on the one-hour oral glucose tolerance test.

How it's done: You must fast for 10 to 14 hours before the test. Be sure to discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor to see if they may interfere with the test results.

This test is similar to the one-hour oral glucose tolerance test, except the sugary beverage now contains 100g of glucose, not 50g. Blood is first drawn before you drink the glucola. This is called your fasting glucose level. Blood is drawn again after one hour, two hours and three hours.

What your results mean:

Abnormal readings for each section of the test are:

Fasting: 95 mg/dL or higher
One hour:180 mg/dL or higher
Two hours:155 mg/dL or higher
Three hours: 140 mg/dL or higher

Tips

Due to the 10- to 14-hour fast, most women schedule the test first thing in the morning.
Some people may feel faint or lightheaded during this test. It is a good idea to have a designated driver and to bring food to eat when the test is over.
Bring a magazine or book so you’ll have something to do between blood test.

To know what Gestational DIABETES is about, click SOURCE.

Gestational DIABETES TESTING

2009-07-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Why it's done: The oral glucose tolerance test (also known as the glucose challenge screening) is routine for all pregnant women. It is far from definitive, so don't worry if you get a call that you need to come back for a follow-up test.

When it's done: During weeks 24 through 28 of pregnancy, or earlier if you have any risk factors.

How it's done: There is little you can do to prepare for this test. During the test, you will drink glucola, a sugary beverage containing 50g of glucose. Your doctor will draw your blood one hour later to see how efficiently your body processes the glucose. Some women may feel nauseated from the sugary beverage.

What your results mean: If your one-hour plasma glucose level is greater than or equal to 140 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) -- some doctors place the cutoff at 130 mg/dL -- gestational diabetes is suspected and further testing is recommended. If your one-hour plasma glucose level is less than 120 mg/dL, you likely do not have gestational diabetes.

SOURCE

Where to buy DIABETES TESTING kits

2009-07-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Good day! Today, I found a website called the American Diabetes Wholesale. It's an online store selling everything related to diabetes. You might want to check it out but before that, I took the liberty of attaching their company information below. For those who have already tried their service, please feel free to comment and share with me/us your experiences with ADW. Thank you.

"American Diabetes Wholesale focuses on helping you to effectively manage your diabetes. We serve everyone who must pay out of pocket for testing supplies by providing top quality brand name diabetic supplies and over-the-counter pharmacy items at prices that are up to 60% lower than retail prices. As part of our commitment to helping uninsured and underinsured patients with diabetes self-management, American Diabetes Wholesale strives to remove some of the economical challenges that patients face without health coverage. We provide low cost diabetic supplies directly to you with a friendly and courteous customer support staff.

We carry an extensive stock of all major brands; blood glucose monitors, glucose test strips, lancets, and other top quality diabetic supplies, while offering significant savings to the customer. Our superior customer service staff is trained to answer all your questions about our products, service and shipping. Our convenient ordering system enables customers to purchase low cost diabetic supplies without any qualifying questionnaires or tedious paperwork. You simply buy supplies at discounted prices.

Through long-term working relationships with Physicians, Certified Diabetes Educators, Registered Nurses and other providers, American Diabetes Wholesale acts as a resource for these healthcare professionals to help their patients maintain healthy and active lifestyles. These professionals know that affordable diabetic supplies are essential to effective diabetes self management.

Diabetes affects many lives; almost every person who isn’t diabetic knows someone who is. Therefore, we joined the fight against diabetes - in the community, national and global levels, to help find a cure. As proud supporters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators and Eye Care for Kids, we volunteer time, and sponsor countless efforts through health fairs, fundraisers and other community events.

Since 2002, we have been delivering our promise to provide quality products at affordable prices with fast shipping. We work hard at earning and keeping our customers loyalty and confidence, with a personal touch that makes a difference."

For a link to their website, please click SOURCE.

More on DIABETES TESTING

2009-07-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

When Should I Test My Blood Sugar?

Blood sugar testing is usually recommended before meals, after meals, and at bedtime. Daily blood sugar checks are especially important for people on insulin or the sulfonylureas class of antidiabetes drugs.
Frequency and timing of blood sugar measurements should be individualized. Your health care provider will tell you when and how often you should check your blood sugar.
Note: Acute or chronic illnesses or changes in medications may affect your blood sugar level. You may need to test your blood sugar more frequently when you are ill.

Conditions That Affect Your Blood Sugar

Certain conditions may interfere with an accurate reading of blood sugar and include:

Anemia
Gout
High air temperature
Humidity
Altitude

If you are consistently seeing abnormal results, recalibrate your meter and check the strips.
The chart below gives you an idea of where your blood sugar level should be throughout the day. Your ideal blood sugar range may be different from another person's and will change throughout the day.

Time of Test	Ideal for Adults With Diabetes
Before meals	70-130 mg/dL
After meals	Less than 180 mg/dL
*Source: American Diabetes Association, 2009

Home Blood Glucose Monitoring and HbA1c
Monitoring your HbA1c level is also important for diabetes control. Many home glucose monitors have the capacity to display an average blood glucose reading, which correlates with the HbA1c.
Learn more about HbA1c.

Average Blood Glucose Level (mg/dL)	HbA1c (%)
124mg/ dL	6.3
147mg/ dL	7
180mg/ dL	8
214mg/ dL	9
247mg/ dL	10
280mg/ dL	11

When Should I Call My Doctor About my Blood Sugar?

In most cases, a fasting blood sugar level more than 180 mg/dL is too high and a blood sugar level less than 70 mg/dL is too low. If you are having symptoms of low blood sugar, or if your blood sugar is less than 70 mg/dL and you have more than one unexplained low blood sugar reaction a week, call your health care provider.
If you are having symptoms of high blood sugar, or if your blood sugar is greater than 180 mg/dL for more than a week, or if you have two consecutive readings greater than 300 mg/dL, call your health care provider. In most cases, your doctor will suggest changes in your diabetes management plan.

How Do I Record My Blood Sugar Test Results?

Keep good records of any blood, urine, or ketone tests you do. Your records can help alert you to any problems. Also, these test records help your health care provider make any needed changes in your meal plan, medicine, or exercise program. Bring these records with you every time you visit your health care provider. SOURCE

Free DIABETES TESTING

2009-07-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Friends, I got chanced upon this website called www.lloydspharmacy.com and my attention was caught by their Free DIABETES TESTING. I hope this will be helpful to you too. God bless.

Here's what they have to say:

Lloydspharmacy was the first pharmacy retailer to establish a FREE DIABETES TESTING Service in 2003; since then, we have tested over 1 million people in the UK and nearly 60,000 of these were referred to their Doctor with high blood glucose readings. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition and the symptoms are often undetected for a number of years. If caught early enough, Type 2 diabetes can be controlled and the risk factors reduced.

In total, over 2million people in the UK are diagnosed as having diabetes, however it is suspected there are another ½ million people in the UK who have the condition but aren’t aware of it. Lloydspharmacy remains committed to offering those people who might be at risk a FREE DIABETES TEST.

The symptoms of diabetes aren't always obvious and can develop slowly. We can help identify your risk of developing diabetes and provide advice on reducing the chances.

Reducing the risk of diabetes

There are thought to be almost a million people living in the UK who have diabetes and don’t know it. The symptoms can often be missed, but unfortunately if the condition is ignored it can cause long-term complications including heart disease, high blood pressure and eye damage.

Some people are more at risk than others. If you're over 40, have a history of diabetes within your family, are overweight or don’t do much exercise you may be at an increased risk. Our diabetes service will help identify your risk of developing diabetes. And if you have one or more of the following symptoms it’s also a good idea to speak to a member of our pharmacy team:

• You’re always thirsty
• You pass water a lot
• You’re always tired
• Your vision is sometimes blurred
• You get cramps at night
• You often get infections
• Your wounds heal slowly
• You often get thrush or genital itching
• Your hands and feet often feel numb

A simple way to spot your risks

By identifying your risk of developing diabetes, you can make lifestyle changes to prevent it. Our diabetes service includes a simple blood test to check your blood glucose level, and help and advice on leading a healthy lifestyle. SOURCE

Various ways of DIABETES TESTING

2009-07-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

This article on DIABETES TESTING is from www.webmd.com

Everyone with DIABETES should TEST their blood sugar, or glucose, levels regularly. Knowing your blood sugar levels allows you to alter your diabetes management strategy if your levels aren't near your target blood sugar.

Also, regular TESTING of your blood sugar can help reduce your risk of having long-term complications from DIABETES. Based on studies of people with type 1 diabetes (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial [DCCT]) and type 2 diabetes (United Kingdom Prevention of Diabetes [UKPDS]), maintaining near normal blood sugar and HbA1c levels significantly reduces the risks of complications from diabetes.

Ways to Test Your Blood Sugar With Diabetes

    Traditional Home Blood Sugar Monitoring. The traditional method of testing your blood sugar involves pricking your finger with a lancet (a small, sharp needle), putting a drop of blood on a test strip and then placing the strip into a meter that displays your blood sugar level. Meters vary in features, readability (with larger displays or spoken instructions for the visually impaired), portability, speed, size, and cost. Current devices provide results in less than 15 seconds and can store this information for future use. These meters can also calculate an average blood sugar level over a period of time. Some meters also feature software kits that retrieve information from the meter and display graphs and charts of your past test results. Blood sugar meters and strips are available at your local pharmacy.

    Meters That Test Alternative Sites. Newer meters allow you to test sites other than your fingertip; these alternative testing sites include upper arm, forearm, base of the thumb, and thigh. However, testing at alternative sites may give you results that are different from the blood sugar levels obtained from the fingertip. Blood sugar levels in the fingertips show changes more quickly than those in alternative testing sites. This is especially true when your blood sugar is rapidly changing, like after a meal or after exercise. It is also important to know that if you are checking your sugar at an alternative site while you are experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia, you should not rely on these test results.

    Lasers to draw blood. In 1998, a laser to draw blood was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The laser device produces a precise beam of light that penetrates the skin on the finger instead of pricking it, reducing pain and discomfort.

    MiniMed Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. This device involves a small plastic catheter (very small tube) that is inserted just under the skin. It collects small amounts of fluid and measures the sugar content over 72 hours.

    GlucoWatch. In 2001, the FDA approved the GlucoWatch, a watch-like device that helps people with diabetes measure their blood sugar via tiny electric currents. It draws small amounts of fluid from the skin and measures blood sugar levels three times per hour for up to 12 hours. The GlucoWatch is considered a first step toward noninvasive, continuous sugar monitoring, but it does have some shortfalls.

According to the FDA, these newer devices should not replace the traditional daily finger pricks. SOURCE