At the Pennington Biomedical Research Center of Baton Rouge, Type 2 diabetics are receiving new medication in a study designed to help lower blood sugar levels.
Doctor Daniel Hsia is conducting a new experiment called the Grade Study.
“We’re looking for people who have had Type 2 diabetes for less than ten years, who are aged 30 years and older and are only taking a drug called Metformin,” Hsia said.
Metformin is a typical medication given to Type 2 diabetics. Patients receive medicine, doctor visits and other supplies for free.
“We’re basically adding on an additional medication to try to see which combination of drugs helps patients the most and brings their blood sugar down the best,” Hsia said.
Hsia explained that Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in young people. College students may be at a higher risk now than in previous years.
“All of the weight gain that you accrue throughout childhood, into college — all of that adds up and can increase your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes,” Hsia said.
Though the Grade Study is primarily focused on Type 2, Hsia said he’s interested in studying patients with Type 1 diabetes, which develops early on in childhood.
Ann Farris has lived with the disease for nearly 50 years.
“Type 1 diabetes is similar to having a job,” Farris said. “Twenty-fours hours a day, seven days a week. No time off for vacation or sick leave.”
Like other Type 1 diabetics, Farris must check her blood sugar levels multiple times per day. She wears an insulin pump to maintain insulin uptake in her body.
“These new advances have made my life easier and more flexible,” Farris said. “I’m better able to control my blood sugars.”
But Farris said that despite developments in technology, she still struggles to have a day with a normal blood glucose reading.
Even with these hardships, she says diabetics are still able to live normal lives and carry out every day functions like other people.
“A diabetic must be in constant contact and constant awareness of where their blood sugars are especially with Type 1 because the reaction or dangers of it can be immediate,” Farris said.