In Other News

28 Jan 2021

Endocrinologist warns of medicines shortages

An endocrinologist in Adelaide has warned that  medications used to treat hyperthyroidism, such as cortisone and carbimazole and other essential medicines are in short supply as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt global supply chains. Dr Wilton Braund told the ABC that some patients are reportedly paying more for their essential medications as pharmacies run out of generic brands while other patients are lowering doses in a bid to stretch out their prescriptions. Read more.


Low carb diets reviewed for T2D

The first systematic review to examine the safety and efficacy of low carb diets in adults with type 2 diabetes finds adhering to a low carb eating plan could help  push T2DM into remission. Patients who followed a diet containing less than 26% of daily calories from carbohydrates achieved greater rates of type 2 diabetes remission than those who followed the low fat diets traditionally recommended for managing the disease. At the six-month mark participants on carb-restricting diets achieved greater weight loss, reduced diabetes medication and improved glucose control. But by 12 months most of the advantages of low-carb diets had diminished said investigators, including Professor Grant Brinkworth, CSIRO Research Scientist. They also flagged some evidence for an increase in LDL cholesterol among the low-carb diet participants. Investigators suggest that, in the short term, low carb diets could be an effective alternative while monitoring and adjusting diabetes medication. Read more.


New diabetes research centre funding

The federal government will invest $38 million into two new major heart disease and diabetes research centres. Announcing the funding last week the Department of Health said $20 million will go to the centres, which will be dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The remaining $18 million will be dedicated to several translational research projects focusing on diabetic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy and diabetic foot syndrome and the short term complications of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) and ketoacidosis. Priorities for the Cardiovascular Disease Research Centre will be coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy and heart failure and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and stroke. Read more.

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