Type II Diabetes Treatment & Management in Houston, TX and serving the surrounding communities of Katy, Memorial, The Heights, and Uptown

Type II diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body uses insulin and regulates blood sugar. At The Endocrine Center, the team provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management for Type II diabetes and related metabolic concerns.

The practice serves patients throughout Houston and surrounding communities, including Katy, Memorial, The Heights, and Uptown.

What is Type II diabetes?

Type II diabetes occurs when your body does not use insulin properly or does not produce enough insulin to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body regulate the amount of glucose in your blood.

When your body becomes resistant to insulin, your pancreas may produce more insulin to compensate. Over time, your blood sugar levels can increase. If blood sugar remains elevated, you may be at greater risk of developing serious health complications, including heart disease and other problems related to diabetes.

At The Endocrine Center, the team views Type II diabetes as both a metabolic and cardiac health concern and focuses on helping patients manage their condition and reduce their risk of complications.

What is insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance occurs when your body's cells do not respond to insulin as effectively as they should. As a result, your body may need to produce more insulin to help move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells.

Insulin resistance is closely associated with Type II diabetes and can contribute to elevated blood sugar levels over time.

Managing Type II diabetes involves addressing blood sugar levels as well as the underlying factors that can affect metabolic health. Your provider can evaluate your individual health history, symptoms, laboratory results, and risk factors to determine the most appropriate approach to care.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to meet the criteria for Type II diabetes.

Prediabetes can be associated with insulin resistance. For some patients, healthy lifestyle changes and routine medical care can help improve blood sugar levels and reduce the likelihood of progressing to Type II diabetes.

If you've been diagnosed with prediabetes, regular monitoring and follow-up with your healthcare provider can help you understand your blood sugar levels and determine whether additional evaluation or treatment is appropriate.

What are the symptoms of Type II diabetes?

Type II diabetes can develop gradually, and some people may not notice symptoms initially.

Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Unintended weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Frequent infections

As Type II diabetes progresses, some people may also develop areas of darker or discolored skin, particularly around the neck or armpits.

If you're experiencing symptoms associated with diabetes, an endocrinology evaluation can help determine whether blood sugar or other metabolic concerns may be contributing to your symptoms.

Can Type II diabetes cause weight gain or weight loss?

Changes in weight can be associated with diabetes and other metabolic conditions, although the relationship can vary from person to person.

Unintended weight loss can occur when blood sugar levels remain elevated and the body is unable to use glucose effectively for energy. Weight changes can also be influenced by insulin resistance, medications, lifestyle factors, and other health conditions.

If you're experiencing unexplained weight gain or weight loss along with other symptoms associated with diabetes, an evaluation can help determine whether blood sugar or metabolic health may be contributing to the change.

The Endocrine Center focuses on identifying and treating underlying endocrine and metabolic conditions rather than simply treating weight as an isolated concern.

What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia refers to blood sugar that is lower than the normal range. For people with diabetes, low blood sugar can sometimes occur as a result of diabetes medications or other factors affecting blood glucose levels.

Symptoms of low blood sugar can include shakiness, sweating, weakness, dizziness, confusion, or feeling unusually hungry.

If you have Type II diabetes and are experiencing episodes of low blood sugar, talk with your healthcare provider. Your provider can review your medications, blood sugar patterns, and overall health to determine whether adjustments or additional evaluation may be appropriate.

What causes Type II diabetes?

Researchers continue to study the factors that contribute to Type II diabetes. Insulin resistance, genetics, and certain environmental and lifestyle factors can all play a role.

Your risk of developing Type II diabetes may be higher if you are overweight or have a primarily sedentary lifestyle. Other factors that may increase your risk include polycystic ovary syndrome and being over the age of 45.

Having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will develop Type II diabetes. Regular medical care and appropriate blood sugar monitoring can help identify changes in glucose levels and metabolic health.

How is Type II diabetes diagnosed?

To diagnose Type II diabetes, the team at The Endocrine Center reviews your medical history, performs a physical examination, and asks about your symptoms, lifestyle, and overall health.

Your provider may order laboratory testing, including a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. An A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the previous few months.

Depending on your individual circumstances, additional testing may be recommended, including a random blood sugar test, fasting blood sugar test, or oral glucose tolerance test.

The appropriate testing depends on your symptoms, medical history, and individual health needs.

How is Type II diabetes treated?

Treatment for Type II diabetes depends on factors such as the severity of insulin resistance, blood sugar levels, symptoms, overall health, and individual treatment needs.

Treatment may include healthy lifestyle changes, such as:

• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a balanced diet
• Monitoring blood sugar levels

Some patients may also benefit from prescription medications or insulin therapy.

The goal of treatment is to help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications. Your provider can work with you to determine an appropriate treatment and monitoring plan based on your individual needs.

How do you monitor Type II diabetes?

Monitoring blood sugar can be an important part of Type II diabetes management. A glucose meter is a digital device that uses a small drop of blood to measure blood sugar levels.

Some patients may also benefit from continuous glucose monitoring. These devices can provide additional information about blood sugar patterns and may help patients and their providers better understand how glucose levels change throughout the day.

Your provider can help determine which type of glucose monitoring is appropriate for you.

What complications can Type II diabetes cause?

When blood sugar remains elevated over time, Type II diabetes can increase the risk of serious health complications.

Managing blood sugar and maintaining regular medical care can help reduce the risk of complications. Because diabetes can affect multiple aspects of your health, ongoing management may involve monitoring your blood sugar as well as your overall metabolic and cardiovascular health.

Your provider can discuss your individual risk factors and recommend appropriate monitoring and treatment.

When should I see an endocrinologist for Type II diabetes?

You may benefit from an endocrinology evaluation if you have been diagnosed with Type II diabetes, have difficulty managing your blood sugar, are experiencing unexplained changes in weight, or have other concerns related to your metabolic health.

An endocrinologist can evaluate your symptoms, laboratory results, medications, and overall health to help determine an appropriate approach to diabetes management.

The Endocrine Center provides Type II diabetes care for patients throughout Houston and surrounding communities, including Katy, Memorial, The Heights, and Uptown.

Type II Diabetes Care at The Endocrine Center

Managing Type II diabetes is an ongoing process. The team at The Endocrine Center provides evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring to help patients maintain healthy blood sugar levels and manage their overall metabolic health.

The practice also regularly conducts medical research and participates in clinical trials to advance the understanding and treatment of endocrine conditions.

If you have concerns about Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, blood sugar levels, or unexplained changes in weight, request a consultation with The Endocrine Center. Book online to schedule an appointment or contact the nearest office today.