Letter from the Editor: August 26, 2009, Issue #483

Humulin U-500 insulin once again is on my agenda, as I had three calls from hospital pharmacists and educators asking for a method to convert and write orders for patients on pumps and for sliding scale use. Many of our syringe or pen patients are injecting 60 or more units of fast or rapid acting insulin and they often complain of insulin coming back out and pain. Our pump patients are changing sets daily because they cannot get enough insulin in the reservoir, and clinicians are using Humulin U-500 more than ever. Check out this week’s Tool for an easy to use conversion sheet for both pump and non-pump users.

Sheri Colberg, Ph.D., FACSM, has spent a good deal of time looking at sports injuries amongst people with diabetes and this week she helps us understand Injuries Related to Being Active with Diabetes: Part 1 (Common Overuse Injuries).

Vitamin D as of late has been getting a lot of news coverage as a potential therapy for diabetes. This is based on some recently released studies. Our current intern, Ingrid Dean, PharmD Candidate, FAMU, has some thoughts on the studies and what they are really saying. See Vitamin D: Potential Difference Maker in Diabetes Mellitus.

TCOYD Diabetes Conference, September 19, 2009, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Join the "Taking Control of Your Diabetes" staff and enjoy a whole day of learning about your diabetes. TCOYD will be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 19. Just go to www.TCOYD.com and register.

dLife: August 30, 7PM ET on CNBC

NEW! Learn how diabetes can affect your memory and mental function, and how to reduce your risk. Plus, dLife goes back to school with a look at diabetes on the college campus; one woman’s amazing weight loss story; a healthy steak dinner that won’t break the bank; and dLife’s doctor on call explains the ins and outs of alcohol. Sundays on CNBC at 7 PM ET, 6 PM CT, and 4 PM PT.