Podcast Summary: Top 10 Tips for Living With Type 2 Diabetes – Practical Hacks From Two Endos Who Get It

Podcast: Taking Control Of Your Diabetes® - The Podcast!
Hosts: Dr. Steve Edelman & Dr. Jeremy Pettis
Episode Date: September 29, 2025

Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettis—both long-term endocrinologists and individuals living with diabetes themselves—share their top 10 practical tips for managing type 2 diabetes. Drawing from personal and professional experience, they demystify the condition, advocate for patient empowerment, bust stigma, and break down both lifestyle and medical strategies into approachable, actionable hacks. The episode balances serious medical advice with humor and empathy to support and educate listeners managing type 2 diabetes or supporting loved ones.

Key Discussion Points & Segmented Timestamps

1. The Realities & Opportunities of Type 2 Diabetes

[01:22 - 03:04]

• Type 2 diabetes is common and complex, affecting 40 million Americans, with another 80 million at risk (pre-diabetes).
• While diagnosis can feel daunting, Dr. Edelman reframes it as an opportunity:

  "It's important that everyone know, before I get into the 10 tips, that type 2 diabetes is a controllable disease. It's manageable.” – Dr. Steve Edelman [01:57]

2. Tip 1: Understand Type 2 Diabetes – Get Educated

[03:04 - 05:00]

• Know what’s happening in your body: Type 2 isn’t just “not enough insulin,” but also insulin resistance, and often includes other metabolic issues (metabolic syndrome).
• Emphasize self-education to fight stigma and frustration:

  “It may not be your fault... that's part of the metabolic syndrome… they're all treatable, but it's important that everyone know that you're not going to be just treating the glucose levels.” – Dr. Steve Edelman [04:36]

3. Tip 2: Know Your Numbers—A1C, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, and More

[05:17 - 09:16]

• Set realistic targets:
  • A1C: Aim for less than 7%, but progress toward your personal goal matters (“it's not binary…” – Dr. Jeremy Pettis [06:28])
  • Pre-meal glucose: <140 mg/dL; Post-meal: <200 mg/dL (ideally <180 for some)
  • LDL ("bad" cholesterol): Target <70 mg/dL (even <55 if heart disease)
  • Blood pressure: <130/80 mmHg
  • Focus on incremental improvement:

    "Going from 11 to 10 helps, 10 to 9... always be etching towards your particular goal." – Dr. Steve Edelman [06:00]

4. Tip 3: Build a Knowledgeable Care Team

[09:38 - 11:51]

• Seek out the right healthcare providers, not just any doctor. Lean on local diabetes communities, even pharmaceutical reps, for recommendations.
• When should you see an endocrinologist?: Usually, if things get complex or poorly controlled, but early intervention is best:

  "I really wish I could see every newly diagnosed type 2 because... that's actually the most important time to intervene.” – Dr. Jeremy Pettis [11:25]

• Treat to target policy: Intervene and titrate aggressively early, rather than waiting for loss of control.

5. Tip 4: Food—Don’t Eat Cardboard

[11:51 - 14:09]

• Enjoy food in moderation. Focus on portion control and balanced meals rather than total restriction.
• Make simple substitutions, especially with drinks:

  “If you're throwing down a lot of juice and soda, that's a lot of empty calories. Maybe switching over to diet soda or Gatorade zero…” – Dr. Jeremy Pettis [12:37]
  “You don't have to eat cardboard. You can eat the foods you like.” – Dr. Steve Edelman [11:51]

• Ignore fad diets/”magic pills”; focus on common sense and gradual improvement.

6. Tip 5: Exercise—Move Your Body

[14:09 - 16:50]

• Exercise = Movement. Walking, gardening, dancing, swimming—it all counts.

  “I wouldn't even call it exercise sometimes… It's moving your body.” – Dr. Jeremy Pettis [15:15]

• Official recommendation: 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week. Start slow, aim for sustainability.
• Safety tip: If you haven’t been active, check with your doctor first, possibly get a stress test, to avoid unknown heart problems.

7. Tip 6: The Game-Changing Medications—GLP-1s

[17:37 - 19:58]

• GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity):
  • Once-weekly injections
  • Lower glucose, support weight loss, protect heart, kidneys, liver, even help sleep apnea

  “Usually, when a drug comes out... something negative comes out. ...This is the opposite with GLP-1s… The benefits keep adding up.” – Dr. Jeremy Pettis [18:36]

• If you have any cardiovascular or kidney disease, guidelines prioritize getting on a GLP-1.

8. Tip 7: SGLT2 Inhibitors—Pills That Protect

[19:58 - 21:30]

• SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., Farxiga, Jardiance, Invokana, Steglatro):
  • Once-daily pills
  • Lower glucose, reduce risk of heart failure, protect kidneys

  “They came out, they were supposed to just lower glucose, and they quickly learned that they also reduce... congestive heart failure.” – Dr. Steve Edelman [20:17]

9. Tip 8: Maximize Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

[22:11 - 23:57]

• CGMs are now available over the counter for non-insulin users (e.g., Dexcom Stelo, Libre Rio).
• Even a short trial gives eye-opening insights into daily effects of food, activity, and medications.

  “It's your own personal laboratory in the palm of your hand… It'll change the way you take care of your diabetes.” – Dr. Steve Edelman [22:11]

10. Tip 9: Find Community and Diabuddies

[23:57 - 25:00]

• You’re not alone. Seek support from others with type 2—local groups, online communities, or even TCOYD’s own groups.

  “It's so nice to have a diabuddy… If you're living isolated, no one with type two, it's tough.” – Dr. Steve Edelman [23:57]

• Type 2 stigma is real—community helps combat blame and misinformation.

11. Tip 10: The Diabetes Warranty Program

[25:00 - 27:30]

• Routine screening is essential for catching asymptomatic complications:
  • Eyes: Yearly dilated eye exam (even without symptoms)
  • Kidneys: Yearly labs (eGFR, microalbumin/creatinine)
  • Nerves: Foot checks (10g monofilament test)
  • Heart: Regular evaluation—sometimes even baseline stress tests, especially as problems are underdiagnosed
• Remember your "ABCs" for prevention:
  • A: A1C (& aspirin)
  • B: Blood pressure
  • C: Cholesterol
  • D: Diabetes drugs (GLP-1, SGLT2)
  • E: Evaluation (heart tests)

Empowerment and Knowledge

[27:30 - End]

• Ask questions, keep learning:

  “You have the main responsibility for taking control of your diabetes. It's not your wife's, it's not your husband's... You have to be your own best advocate, know what you need and go out and get it... Be smart and be persistent.” – Dr. Steve Edelman [29:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Stigma & Metabolic Syndrome:
  “People with type 2 have central obesity. It runs in the genes, and it's not like the type of fat that people get when they just overeat for years and years… it's very frustrating for a lot of people... that's part of the metabolic syndrome.” – Dr. Steve Edelman [04:00]

• On Diet vs. Medications for Cholesterol:
  “I don't care if you ate grass all day long. You can't make that much of a dent in your cholesterol from just dietary interventions.” – Dr. Jeremy Pettis [07:47]

• On Early Aggressive Treatment:
  “Rather than 'we'll start one medication, wait for you to get out of control, then try to intervene.' I think being more aggressive early is really important.” – Dr. Jeremy Pettis [11:46]

• On Exercise Terminology:
  “Sometimes (exercise) can be off putting... It's moving your body.” – Dr. Jeremy Pettis [15:15]

• On Medications:
  “If I had it my way, if you have type 2 diabetes, every single person should be on a GLP-1 plus one of these SGLT2 inhibitors…” – Dr. Jeremy Pettis [19:58]

Episode Structure - Jump To Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|------------| | Intro & Overview | 00:20-01:57| | Tip 1: Get Educated | 03:04-05:00| | Tip 2: Know Your Numbers | 05:17-09:16| | Tip 3: Find a Knowledgeable Team | 09:38-11:51| | Tip 4: Food and Diet | 11:51-14:09| | Tip 5: Exercise/Motion | 14:09-16:50| | Tip 6: GLP-1 Medications | 17:37-19:58| | Tip 7: SGLT2 Inhibitors | 19:58-21:30| | Tip 8: Continuous Glucose Monitoring | 22:11-23:57| | Tip 9: Find Support | 23:57-25:00| | Tip 10: The Diabetes Warranty Program | 25:00-27:30| | Final Empowerment Message | 27:30-End |

Final Takeaways

• Type 2 diabetes is common and manageable—take charge, get educated, and don’t let stigma hold you back.
• Modern medications and monitoring tools are game changers—ask your provider about GLP-1s, SGLT2s, and CGM.
• Find a supportive team and community, and keep up with annual screenings to head off complications.
• You are your own best advocate. Be persistent, stay informed, and take control for yourself and your family.

For resources, support groups, and the latest educational videos, visit tcoyd.org.

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