August 20, 2008 Issue #430 Recommend Us

Richard K. Bernstein, M.D., F.A.C.E., F.A.C.N., FCCWS, discusses the use of Semiliquid or Liquid Meals to balance glucose in patients with gastroparesis

Generics are often the best way for our patients to afford their medications. Now the The U.S. Pharmacopeia is looking at manufacturers outside the U.S. to see if they are meeting the new the FDA requirement, which takes effect October 2009, that specifies that the levothyroxine potency be 95 percent to 105 percent throughout its shelf life. The potency range was tightened from a specification of 90 percent to 110 percent.

Although the new specification is well known by firms marketing in the U.S., firms producing levothyroxine sodium products to USP specifications in other countries may not be prepared for the new standard. The FDA revised the specification last year after evaluating stability data from all levothyroxine sodium products. It found variable stability profiles and shelf lives for different versions of the drug, a concern for patients who use the thyroid replacement therapy and may get prescription refills made by different manufacturers with different potencies.

Fasting Glucose over 126mg/dl or 2 random glucose readings over 200mg/dl mean your patient has diabetes. But what about their A1c? We use to measure therapy success, but what about using A1c to diagnose diabetes?  According to David Sacks, MD, Assistant Professor of Pathology Harvard Medical School we should be officially doing that now. Click here to learn how that might change

The Diabetes Day of Hope is coming to Chicago and maybe a city near you.  Check it out and let us know if you would like to do the same for your city.
http://www.diabetesdayofhope.com/

Aug. 24, 7PM ET on CNBC
Minding your manners over diabetes - how to teach your friends and family boundaries that keep everyone happy. Then, Chef Michel Nischan serves up a diabetes-friendly Italian classic, and dLife visits "Hardball's" Chris Matthews.  Catch another new episode of dLifeTV: on: Sundays on CNBC at 6:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM CT, and 3:00 PM PT

We can make a difference!

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More Current News on Diabetes
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Item #3:  15.  New Treatment for Diabetes Growing on Trees*
Item #5:  Diabetics Should Include More Herbs And Spices In Their Foods
Item #7:  Vitamin K Supplementation Reduces Insulin Resistance in Men
Item #11:  Exercise Can Improve Blood Pressure, If Only Patients Knew
Item #12:  Arsenic Exposure May Be Associated With Type 2 Diabetes
Item #13:  Survey Explores the Impact of Insulin Injections and Communications between Patients and Healthcare Providers
Item #14:  Cardiovascular Disease Risk Increased in Women Following Gestational Diabetes

Check out this weeks "Test Your DIABETES Knowledge" question. 

LIVE WEBCAST:
Dr. Bernstein will participate in another 60 minute Tele-Seminar on Aug 27th, 2008 that we invite you and your patients to attend. In addition to calling in, this upcoming call will also be broadcast through a LIVE web-cast on the Internet. Don't miss it. Click here to register for this free teleconference.
http://www.diabetes911.net/askdrb/index.php

Dave Joffe, Editor-in-Chief, CDE, FACA

Top Diabetes Stories

Combo of Diabetes Drugs Increases Mortality*
Weight Loss After Diabetes Diagnosis Improves Outcomes*
Heart Disease Risk Soars 80% With Obesity And Diabetes*
Retinopathy Increases CHD Risk Even Without Diabetes*
Diabetes Linked to Accelerated Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression*
Fasting Glucose Levels In Normal Range Independent Risk Factor For Diabetes*
Specialized Self-Assessment Program Improved Glycemic Control*
New Treatment for Diabetes Growing on Trees*

Dave Joffe, Editor-in-Chief, CDE, FACA

NewsFlash
Heart Disease Risk Soars 80% With Obesity And Diabetes -See This Weeks' Item #4

Combo of Diabetes Drugs Increases Mortality
Weight Loss After Diabetes Diagnosis Improves Outcomes
Overweight Hispanic Children at Significant Risk for Pre-Diabetes
Heart Disease Risk Soars 80% With Obesity And Diabetes
Diabetics Should Include More Herbs And Spices In Their Foods
Retinopathy Increases CHD Risk Even Without Diabetes
Vitamin K Supplementation Reduces Insulin Resistance in Men
Diabetes Linked to Accelerated Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression
Fasting Glucose Levels In Normal Range Independent Risk Factor For Diabetes
Specialized Self-Assessment Program Improved Glycemic Control
Exercise Can Improve Blood Pressure, If Only Patients Knew
Arsenic Exposure May Be Associated With Type 2 Diabetes
Survey Explores the Impact of Insulin Injections and Communications between Patients and Healthcare Providers
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Increased in Women Following Gestational Diabetes
New Treatment for Diabetes Growing on Trees

Tools For Your Practice
The 25 Lowest-Carb Fruits and Vegetables
It's not always easy to compare apples to oranges when it comes to carbs. Fruits and vegetables come in all shapes and sizes, and while it might seem like one is a lower-carb choice than another, it may just seem that way because of size and weight differences. We leveled the playing field for you here, so you can compare apples to apples ... so to speak!  Check out this weeks' Tool: The 25 Lowest-Carb Fruits and Vegetables