LS is 43 with type 2 diabetes, with an A1C of 8.8%, UACR is 32 mg/g, GFR is 48, and blood pressure is 146/84 or greater on 2 different occasions. Current medications include metformin 1000mg BID, lovastatin 20mg, glipizide 20mg.
Based on the ADA standards of care, in addition to lifestyle encouragement, adding which medications would most improve outcomes?
Click Here to Test your Knowledge
Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.
Download Course Schedule | Download Course Flyer
If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.
Join us LIVE for this Virtual Course and enjoy a sense of community!
Team of expert faculty includes:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Deluxe Version includes Syllabus, Standards and Swag*:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live. Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version in the Online University.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Are you preparing for the CDCES Exam?
Starting your journey to becoming a CDCES? We recommend watching our FREE Preparing for CDCES Exam Webinar!
This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test taking readiness.
Read More: What is a CDCES? First awarded in 1986, as Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) credential and in 2020 with a new name: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) to more accurately reflect the specialty. CDCES has become a standard of excellence for the delivery of quality diabetes education. Those who hold this certification are known to possess comprehensive knowledge of and experience in diabetes prevention, management, and prediabetes. “Becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) is one of the best professional and personal decisions I have ever made.” – Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
Read More: 3 Reasons to Become a CDCES “The best part of becoming a CDCES is working with my colleagues and people living with diabetes. As diabetes educators, we hear compelling and beautiful life stories. I am astounded by the barriers they face and inspired by their adaptability, problem-solving skills, and resilience.” Reason 1: CDCES is a widely recognized certification by employers and health care professionals throughout the U.S. This credential demonstrates a specialized and in-depth knowledge in the prevention and treatment of individuals living with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Reason 2: Currently, 10% of people in the U.S. have diabetes and another 35% have pre-diabetes which means 45% of Americans are running around with elevated blood glucose levels. Given this epidemic, there will be plenty of future job opportunities. Reason 3: Having my CDCES along with my nursing degree, has opened many doors of opportunity; from working as an inpatient Diabetes Nurse Specialist in a hospital to working as a Manager of Diabetes Education in the outpatient setting to starting my own consulting company.
This bundle includes our CDCES Online Prep Bundle plus the ADCES Review Guide.
The online bundle includes Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (Boot Camp), plus two bonus courses. The ADCES Review Guide offers over 480+ practice questions and is a fantastic independent study tool and comprehensive resource for the Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Exam.
Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.
Download Course Schedule | Download Course Flyer
If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.
Join us LIVE for this Virtual Course and enjoy a sense of community!
Team of expert faculty includes:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Deluxe Version includes Syllabus, Standards and Swag*:
Basic Option for $399: Virtual Program includes:
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live. Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version in the Online University.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
For last week’s practice question, we quizzed test takers on the most accurate statement based on the new ADA Standards of Care on DSME Programs. 60% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer below: Answer Question
Question: Which of the following best represents the 2022 update to the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES)?
Answer Choices:
As shown above, the most common choice was option 1, the second most common answer was option 3, then option 2, and then finally option 4.
Answer 1 is incorrect. 16.73% chose this answer, “Due to the complexity of delivering DSME in today’s health care environment, 2 new standards have been added for a total of 12 Standards.” This was a juicy answer, but not the best one. The authors of this updated Standard of Practice for DSMES, decided that to INCREASE access to DSMES, there needed to be a DECREASE of bureaucracy and paperwork. They managed to maintain the essence of the original 10 Standards in this new streamlined version with only SIX standards. There was also a much needed intensive focus on recognizing and addressing Social Determinants of Health and breaking down barriers to DSMES access.
Answer 2 is incorrect. 11.49% of you chose this answer, “About 20 – 30% of people with Medicare or private insurance currently utilize DSMES services.” I wish this was the best answer. However, according to the ADA Standards, only 6-8% of Medicare recipients participate in DSMES. This lackluster level of participation is due to a multitude of factors and is best addressed by an interdisciplinary action committee, with stakeholders from the community and the health care team. Plus, creating a multi-pronged and thoughtful marketing plan is crucial to raise awareness of DSMES services.
Answer 3 is incorrect. 12.10% of respondents chose this answer, “To maintain quality, at least one of the DSMES team members needs to have either a CDCES or BC-ADM.” In the old days, this was a requirement. However, since many rural communities may not have access to a CDCES or BC-ADM, this requirement has been dropped for over 10 years. The good news is that a variety of health care professionals can make up the DSMES Team. Specifically, the new guidelines say that, “The DSMES team may include one or a variety of healthcare professionals. The evidence recommends the inclusion of dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, or all other disciplines with special certifications that demonstrate mastery of diabetes knowledge and training, such as BC-ADM and CDCES, can support all DSMES services, including clinical assessment.
Finally, Answer 4 is correct. 59.68% chose this answer, “Less focus on “checking the box” when delivering curriculum and more focus on the individual needs.” YES, this is the BEST Answer. The authors who gathered to write this paper, were from different parts of the country serving a wide variety of communities. I believe, by assembling this thoughtfully chosen and diverse group or diabetes advocates and educators, they created a fresh and more inclusive set of standards. The overall theme is more community engagement with a clearn focus on the individual needs versus completing check boxes of educational topics covered. I commend the authors and invite you to peruse this very important document that summarizes the delivery of effective and person centered DSMES.
2022 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support– A joint position statement of the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this important learning activity!
This course provides you with a succinct overview of the latest standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) and Support Programs. If you are taking certification exams or considering setting up a DSME program, this program is designed for you. We highlight the newly revised and simplified 2022 Standards and provide strategies on program implementation. In addition, we discuss Medicare Reimbursement and covered benefits. This course provides insights into the exam philosophy and also highlights critical content areas.
Objectives:
Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.
If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.
Download Course Schedule | Download Course Flyer
Join us LIVE for this Virtual Course and enjoy a sense of community!
Team of expert faculty includes:
Download Course Schedule | Download Course Flyer
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Deluxe Version includes Syllabus, Standards and Swag*:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live. Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version in the Online University.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Metformin is one of the most widely dispensed oral diabetes medications for good reason. It works great, lowering A1c 1-2% points, with an added benefit of dropping LDL cholesterol levels. It doesn’t cause hypoglycemia or weight gain and it is incredibly cheap. Many pharmacies offer a 3 month supply of this highly effective glucose-lowering medication for $10 or less, and that’s without insurance. This medication also seems to boost the diversity of the gut microbiota, in particularly increased levels of the very beneficial Akkermansia muciniphila.
However, it does have a few drawbacks. A small group of people on metformin will experience a B12 deficiency. This B12 deficiency may manifest as neuropathic pain or anemia.
Plus, a percentage of people will experience upset stomach, bloating, and diarrhea. People with these complaints will often respond better to the extended-release version (metformin XR), which isn’t any more expensive and it can be taken once a day. See our Mediation PocketCards for more info.
Currently, the ADA Standards have no clear recommendation for checking B12 for those on metformin, but it does note that long-term metformin use is associated with B12 deficiencies and that “measuring B12 levels should be considered for those with type 1 diabetes, peripheral neuropathy or unexplained anemia”.
To add to this, a study published this month in Human Nutrition and Metabolism, found the prevalence of B12 deficiency appears to be about 17% in people on metformin therapy. The highest rates of B12 deficiency were seen in those taking metformin for 2 years. Moreover, vitamin B12 deficiency is influenced by the occurrence and duration of diabetes.
They also measured the intake of vitamin B12 in the daily diet of the study participants. Those with lower vitamin B12 blood levels were also consuming less foods rich in vitamin B12 in their daily meal plan.
The authors of this article suggest that routine monitoring for vitamin B12 serum levels is needed in people with T2DM, particularly when metformin is used for more than 2 years with a dose of over 1000 mg per day. They also recommend further studies are needed to assess the correlation between metformin duration and dose and patients with T2DM and other metabolic syndromes.
B12 replacement therapy
This article, nor the ADA Standards recommend dosing for B12 replacement therapy. However, based on several articles, including this 2005 Cochrane review, high-dose oral replacement (1 mg to 2 mg per day) for B12 deficiency, seems to be as effective as parenteral B12 administration for correcting anemia and neurologic symptoms.
Conclusion – Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with worsening nerve pain and anemia. Testing B12 levels for those on long-term metformin therapy, especially for those taking more than 1000 mg of metformin a day seems like a reasonable approach. Increasing the intake of foods high in vitamin B12 and providing oral B12 replacement therapy of 1 mg to 2 mg a day, are both helpful interventions to boost B12 levels.
Resources from our Article Library
Plant Based Eating Resources and Recipes
Carbohydrate Counting Resource Page
Coach Beverly will highlight the key elements of the latest Medication Guidelines by AACE and ADA. We will explore clinical factors to consider when determining the best strategy to improve glucose management in people with type 2 diabetes and other co-conditions. There will be a special focus on cardiovascular risk reduction and renal protection.
Objectives:
This bundle is specifically designed for healthcare professionals who want to learn more about the ADA Standards of Diabetes Care for their clinical practice or for those who are studying for the BC-ADM or the CDCES certification exam.
Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
JR is experiencing lower extremity pain and asks to get their gabapentin (Neurontin) renewed? When asked, JR says the pain is so bad in their calf muscles when walking, that they have to sit down and rest. What best describes the cause of JR’s pain?
Click Here to Test your Knowledge
Join us live on March 22, 2022, at 11:30 am PST for our Level 2 | Lower Extremity Assessment Standards live webinar
People with diabetes are at increased risk of Lower Extremity Complications. This course reviews the steps involved in performing a detailed assessment of the lower extremities, including how to use a monofilament and tuning fork to detect neuropathy. We also discuss the significance of Ankle Brachial Index and strategies to prevent lower extremity complications.
Objectives:
Join us live on March 24, 2022, at 11:30 am PST for our Level 2 | Meds Management for Type 2 Standards live webinar
Coach Beverly will highlight the key elements of the latest Medication Guidelines by AACE and ADA. We will explore clinical factors to consider when determining the best strategy to improve glucose management in people with type 2 diabetes and other co-conditions. There will be a special focus on cardiovascular risk reduction and renal protection.
Objectives:
This bundle is specifically designed for healthcare professionals who want to learn more about the ADA Standards of Diabetes Care for their clinical practice or for those who are studying for the BC-ADM or the CDCES certification exam.
Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.
Download Course Schedule | Download Course Flyer
If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.
Join us LIVE for this Virtual Course and enjoy a sense of community!
Team of expert faculty includes:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Deluxe Version includes Syllabus, Standards and Swag*:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live. Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version in the Online University.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
For last week’s practice question, we quizzed test takers on the most accurate MNT statement based on the new ADA Standards of Care. 60% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer below: Answer Question
Question: Based on the 2022 ADA Standards of care on Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), which statement is most accurate?
Answer Choices:
As shown above, the most common choice was option 1, the second most common answer was option 3, then option 2, and then finally option 4.
Answer 1 is correct. 59.91% chose this answer, “MNT provided by a RD/RDN is associated with A1c absolute decreases of 0.3 to 2.0 percent.” Yes, this is the best answer. When people with prediabetes or diabetes work with a registered dietitian/nutritionist to develop an individualized approach to meal planning, they are able to make significant changes in their food choices, portions and improve their overall nourishment – all resulting in significant A1C drops. The ADA Standards recommend that a person with new diabetes meet with an RD soon after diagnosis and at least annually thereafter.
Answer 2 is incorrect. 7.78% of you chose this answer, “A low carbohydrate, high protein diet is associated with increased risk of renal failure.” This juicy answer is tempting. However, there is not evidence to support the statement that high protein diets increase the risk of renal failure. The ADA does state that there is evidence to support limiting carbohydrates to improve blood glucose levels. But most important, all approaches need to be individualized.
Answer 3 is incorrect. 16.89% of respondents chose this answer, “With new type 2 diabetes, try to achieve A1c targets with MNT for 3 months before advancing to medication therapy.” For most people it can take over 5-6 years to discover diabetes and for many, there is already vessel damage and the beginnings of complications at diagnosis. For this reason and to slow the progression of complications, lifestyle and medication therapy are started simultaneously.
Finally, Answer 4 is incorrect. 15.42% chose this answer, “People with diabetes and hypertension have improved outcomes when they decrease sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg a day.” The standards recommend limiting sodium intake to about 2,300mgs a day for people with diabetes. However, they do not recommend going lower than 1,500mgs a day, because there isn’t enough data demonstrating that very low sodium intake improves heart health and it may even be harmful.
We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this important learning activity!
Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.
If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.
Download Course Schedule | Download Course Flyer
Join us LIVE for this Virtual Course and enjoy a sense of community!
Team of expert faculty includes:
Download Course Schedule | Download Course Flyer
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Deluxe Version includes Syllabus, Standards and Swag*:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live. Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version in the Online University.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
This year we had a tremendous response, with nearly 50 applicants who are making amazing differences in their communities.
We had originally planned to offer two scholarships. However, after reading through all of the applications, there were so many exceptional candidates, we decided to expand our reach and offer a total of SIX winners this year; two Exemplar Winners for our Deluxe Virtual Conference Registration and four for our Basic Virtual Conference Registration.
Please join us in congratulating our six recipients who are truly “Making a Difference” in diabetes care!
The goal of these scholarships are three-fold:
Lori Jackson is a recipient of our “Making a Difference Exemplar Scholarship” because of Lori’s dedication to her community.
Lori Jackson works as an RN at her local Tribal Health Center where she serves a diverse community of various cultural backgrounds. She says that providing diabetes care is her “lifelong passion and calling to help my community and others whom we all share mother earth with, to live their best lives.”
?Lori creates care plans that recognize each individual’s unique needs. She has designed a person-centered DSME program where she hosts weekly support groups for people living with diabetes. She also leads a weekly “coffee chat” open to the community where each person can pop in and ask general questions. Her commitment to providing outstanding and compassionate care for her community made her a top-level candidate for this scholarship.
Jalak Patel is also a recipient of our “Making a Difference Exemplar Scholarship” for being an advocate for her community.
Jalak Patel works as an RD at a Free Medical Clinic where she provides direct care to those who are low or no income and have access to limited resources. She also volunteers at local churches and temples, elementary schools, and with her Dietetics Association where she provides free cooking classes, meal planning workshops and helped build community gardens.
?Jalak advocates at the state level to expand coverage for those who are insured under Medicaid so they can have wider access to nutritional services. Her advocacy and commitment to expanding access for those who have limited resources make her an obvious top contender for this scholarship.
Their contributions to improving diabetes care are outstanding. We are so impressed by their dedication and the good work they are doing in their communities.
To honor and recognize their current work and all of their future contributions, they have been recognized with complimentary registration to our DiabetesEd Specialist Basic Virtual Conference. Congratulations!
Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.
If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.
Join us LIVE for this Virtual Course and enjoy a sense of community!
Team of expert faculty includes:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Deluxe Version includes Syllabus, Standards and Swag*:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Can’t make it live? All paid registrants are guaranteed access to the video presentation, handouts and podcasts.
Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.
An implantable Continuous Glucose Monitor about the size of a matchstick, that only needs to be changed every 180 days, received approved by the FDA this February.
Eversense E3 will be available later this year, for people 18 and over. This implanted sensor determines interstitial glucose readings for 180 days. Sensor data is captured by a small transmitter patch that adheres to the skin, near the implanted device. The transmitter is rechargeable and sends glucose readings data via bluetooth connection to a mobile device. Users can download the mobile app on both iOS and Android devices to monitor glucose trends every 5 minutes and set custom alarms for highs and lows.
The transmitter patch is changed daily and can be set to vibrate as an alarm to alert the user of hypo and hyperglycemia.
To assure accuracy, sensor calibration is required twice per day for the first 21 days of wear. After day 21, once a day calibration a day is required.
In the PROMISE study, researchers analyzed the safety and accuracy of the Eversense E3 in 181 adults age 18 and up. Results showed that the Eversense E3 was very accurate, with a MARD of 8.5%. The accuracy of the Eversense E3 was also better than any currently available CGM on the market – though it does require daily meter calibrations.
According to Senseonics, the medical technology company that created the implantable device, the out-of-pocket cost will be the same as their original 90-day sensor. Most insurance companies should cover the cost of the device and for insertion and removal.
Senseonics has partnered with Ascencia Diabetes Care (the maker of the Contour blood glucose meters). Ascencia will handle the marketing and distribution of the Eversense products. Plus, Ascencia will offer a Patient Assistance Program that can save users up to $1,200 a year. To learn more, you can contact Ascencia here.
To read more about the Eversense E3, click here.
Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.
Download Course Schedule | Download Course Flyer
If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.
Join us LIVE for this Virtual Course and enjoy a sense of community!
Team of expert faculty includes:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Deluxe Version includes Syllabus, Standards and Swag*:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live. Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version in the Online University.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.