‘HIV and Diabetes’ on December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast

We’re excited to announce our December edition of Diabetes Late Nite. Sara (Dr. Mandy) Wilson Reece, PharmD, CDE, BC-ADM is Vice-Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and will stop by the studio to talk about HIV and Diabetes while Kelly Clarkson provides musical inspiration. Join us here on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 from 6 – 7:30 PM.

Wrapped In Red, Kelly Clarkson’s holiday album, inspires us to talk about all things ‘red’ such as the iconic red ribbon worn as a symbol for the solidarity of people living with HIV/AIDS. People with HIV are more likely to have type 2 diabetes than people without HIV and some HIV medicines may increase blood glucose levels and lead to type 2 diabetes.

World AIDS Day is December 1, a fitting occasion to speak with Dr. Mandy about the link between HIV medications and diabetes prior to our podcast interview.

Q: I’ve read that some HIV medicines may increase blood glucose levels and lead to type 2 diabetes. Can you explain why could happen?

Dr. Mandy Reece: Some HIV medication cause insulin resistance with insulin deficiency which increases risk for Type 2 diabetes. Specifically, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (zidovudine, stavudine and didanosine) and protease inhibitors (indinavir and lopinavir/ritonavir) increase risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Q: Do you feel people taking HIV medicines should check their blood glucose? If so, what do you recommend?

Dr. Mandy Reece: Yes, they should check their blood glucose before they start their medication and then every few months as recommended by the U.S. Department of Health.

According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it is recommended to have either fasting blood glucose or hemoglobin A1c when entering into care for HIV, initiating or modifying antiretrovial therapy and annually if glucose or A1c were in target range at least measurement. Target range is < 5.7% for hemoglobin A1c and <126 mg/dL fasting blood glucose. It is advised to have fasting blood glucose or hemoglobin A1c tested every 3 – 6 months if above target range at last measure.

(Guidelines for Use of Antiretrovial Agents in Adults and Adolescents Living with HIV. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/html/1/adult-and-adolescent-arv/3/tests-for-initial-assessment-and-follow-up. Updated October 25, 2019. Accessed November 18, 2018.

Q:Dealing with two or more chronic conditions could be complicated and time consuming. What medication organizing tips can you recommend to help make life more manageable?

Dr. Mandy Reece: Personally, my favorite tool for organizing medications is a pill box where medication is stored by day and time of day. It is easy to identify visually if medication has been taken. Many pharmacies have medical refill reminder calls which work wonderfully if you get all of your medications from the same pharmacy. Pharmacies can utilize a medication synchronization system which allows for your getting all refills at same time. Additionally, there various apps such as Round Health, Medisafe -Pill & Med Reminder and Pill Reminder – All in One would provide digital reminder system. Services such as PillPack sorts and organizes medication by dose and timing each dose with monthly delivery.

Q: With the holidays quickly approaching what advice can you give to people about managing their medications during this busy time of year?

Dr. Mandy Reece: Taking time to get organized is absolutely key. An easy way to get organized is to using a pill box or service such PillPack to organize your medications, and utilizing reminder system to follow through on taking medications. Ensure that you have at least a 10 day supply of medication on hand at all times is essential. Remember keeping your health a priority hence taking your medication during this busy season is key as it has lasting effects that you will not see or feel in the moment.

Q: Holiday travel can lead to long delays and/or missing luggage. What advice can you give to traveler’s

Dr. Mandy Reece: Always pack all of your medications in your carry bag rather than checked luggage. It is absolutely vital to have your medication available at all times.

Sara (Dr. Mandy) Wilson Reece, PharmD, CDE, CDE, BC-ADM, vice-chair and associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. ‘Dr. Mandy’ shares practical information about medications for people living with diabetes on her blog, Reece’s Pieces. Follow her on Twitter @ReecesPiecesDi and Instagram ReecesPiecesDI

Don’t miss December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music from Kelly Clarkson’s Wrapped In Red album courtesy of SONY Music on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, 6 PM, EST.

Kelly Clarkson’s inspiring us to lend our ‘voice’ to topics such as the link between HIV medications and type 2 diabetes, how the homeless manage diabetes, great gift ideas for loved ones with diabetes, and how you can lose weight during holidays (!). Plus, one lucky listener tries their luck during Mr. Divabetic’s ‘Wrapped In Red’ Health Game challenge. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Kathy Gold RN, MSN, CDE, FAADE, Glucose Delivery Necklace co-creator Kris Maynard, Dr. Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE, BC=ADM, BCACP, FAADE, Maria Sakowitz, MS, RDN, LDN, CLT, Mama Rose Marie and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”