USC Westside Center for Diabetes | December 2001 Newsletter

INSIDE THIS ISSUE


		The Results Are In: Therapies to prevent type 2 diabetes compared.

		Pump Update: Minimed Paradigm release postponed, and Disetronic introduces a new infusion set.

		Sugar: Have your fruitcake and eat it too.

		Kids with Diabetes: Care at school is critical to a healthy life, now and later.

		Changing Rules: FAA issues guidelines for flying with diabetes supplies.

		Prevention: USC physician seeks causes and ways to head off diabetes.

Points of Interest


		Handling stress

		Cholesterol-lowering drugs

		Concern Over Atkins Diet

		Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy

		Diabetes... an Aspirin a Day

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	Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy - Tricks of the Trade - By Ruchi Mathur, MD Excerpted from MedicineNet.com As an endocrinologist, I frequently see patients with thyroid disease. Many of these patients suffer from a form of hypothyroidism, or low thyroid hormone blood levels, and I often must prescribe thyroid hormone replacement therapy for such patients. Once a stable dose of thyroid replacement has been reached, as indicated by normal thyroid blood tests, the patient may continue the same dose for years. But patients should keep a few things in mind to ensure they're achieving maximum results. A variety of conditions, such as advancing age or the administration of androgen therapy for breast cancer, can reduce dosage requirements. Other conditionsÑand many medicationsÑmay require an increase in the thyroid hormone dose. These are some common conditions that can alter thyroid hormone replacement requirements: Decreased Requirements: Aging Androgen therapy in women (breast cancer therapy) Increased requirements: Gastrointestinal disorders Pregnancy Medications including sulcrafate, antacids, iron, cholesterol-lowering drugs, seizure drugs and amiodarone Patients should let their doctor know of any medication changes made by other health care professionals. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy should be taken at the same time each day, usually on an empty stomach without any other medications, if possible. It's best to avoid taking multivitamins or antacids around the same time, as well. Following these suggestions can help patients assure the best therapy possible.
	Photos By Mark Harmel ©2001/2002 USC. All Rights Reserved

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