To Be Fair, New Diabetes Medications Have Some Use

by Dr. G. Pepper | Jun 15, 2011 | diabetes, diet, diet and weight loss, fitness, general health & nutrition, health, weight gain

In my last article on the newest generation of diabetes pills (the DPP-4 inhibitors), I basically said that their benefits were not impressive and the costs were too high. I stand by those comments, but I need to add some clarifying thoughts. I continue to use drugs...

Are New Diabetes Medications Worth the Money?

by Dr. G. Pepper | May 16, 2011 | diabetes, diet, general health & nutrition, health, metabolism, weight gain

(I don’t think so, and here’s why.) The FDA just announced its approval of linagliptin (Tradjenta), a new diabetes medication developed by Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Inglheim. Linagliptin is the third drug to be approved in the class of medications...

Endocrinologists Take a Backward Step in the Treatment of Hyperthyroidism

by Dr. G. Pepper | May 6, 2011 | fitness, general health & nutrition, health, hormones, metabolism, thyroid

When I became an endocrinologist in 1981 I was truly excited about the field. At that time it seemed that the science of endocrinology was expanding rapidly and new discoveries were on the horizon particularly in regards to the way hormones effect the brain, mood and...

Suzi’s Amazing Blood Pressure Response to Cytomel (t3)

by Dr. G. Pepper | Apr 28, 2011 | blood pressure, general health & nutrition, health, hormones, metabolism, thyroid

Suzi has hypothyroidism and high blood pressure. She sends the following story describing how t3 treatment appeared to help normalize her blood pressure. This is the first time I have come across this effect and thought it would be helpful to share her story on the...

How Greg Stopped Smoking and Overcame His Weight Gain Issues

by Dr. G. Pepper | Apr 4, 2011 | diet, diet and weight loss, fitness, general health & nutrition, health, hormones, metabolism, weight gain

In this emotional blog posted to metabolism.com, Greg (from Tampa) shares insights from his personal struggle to stop smoking and deal with the weight fluctuations that accompanied those efforts. Not everyone can achieve this kind of success but, according to Greg, by...

Can Actos Really Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

by Dr. G. Pepper | Mar 27, 2011 | diabetes, diet, general health & nutrition, health, hormones, metabolism, weight gain

Diagnosing diabetes is simple. If the blood sugar is found to be elevated you are diabetic. Increasing or decreasing the cut off level between normal and diabetic will dramatically change the number of people diagnosed with diabetes. In 1997 the American Diabetes...