Guadalupe Regional Medical Center | Health Currents | Winter 2022

2 | GRMC Heal th Currents WHAT DOES AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST DO? Meet Dr. Attia Turning prediabetes around Jonven Attia, MD, endocrinologist, joined the Seguin medical community in October 2021. Originally from New York City, Dr. Attia had decided by the end of her residency that she wanted to establish a practice in a place where she could make a difference to the community and that provided a welcoming, noncorporate, collaborative medical home. Recently married, she and her husband agreed that the Seguin area would be an excellent location for them to lay down roots, have a family and for him to establish a new Mediterranean restaurant. Why endocrinology? Dr. Attia explains that the field of endocrinology chose her. Her life has been deeply affected by diabetes, starting when she and her sister were both diagnosed with the disease when she was only 11 years old. She witnessed firsthand the long and difficult road her mother endured because of complications from diabetes. Further, she recognizes that obesity and diabetes have become epidemic in the United States, affecting more than 30 million Americans of all ages and socioeconomic classes. Dr. Attia stresses how important it is for patients with diabetes or other endocrine disorders to maintain a strong relationship with their primary care physicians. Very often that’s all the medical management these patients need—along with a healthy lifestyle—to control their disease. There is no reason for patients who have their diabetes under control to see Dr. Attia. However, a referral for her expertise is appropriate for patients who regularly have A1C lab values of 7.5 or higher or consistently low blood sugar. What else does she treat? As an endocrinologist, in addition to treating diabetes, Dr. Attia manages disorders of the endocrine system, such as osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, thyroid cancer, endocrine tumors, adrenal nodules and many more conditions. Her practice philosophy is that she provides the tools and resources to help her patients, but she emphasizes that they are the boss—they must make the needed lifestyle changes to manage their condition and prevent complications. She appreciates that every patient is different, from varied backgrounds and cultures, and that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for a disease as complicated as diabetes or other related disorders. Dr. Attia is enthusiastic about the constantly improving technology and new medications available for the treatment of diabetes and other endocrine disorders, and she looks forward to helping guide her patients so they can live long, healthy lives. Jo Anna Trimble made a decision back in 2010 to start exercising as a regular part of her schedule. She loved her cardio workouts, lifting weights, attending group classes and seeing the results of her efforts as she started losing weight and getting in shape. So she was concerned when she started experiencing a setback in 2017, including a significant lack of energy and a downward spiral from not exercising. Trimble’s primary care provider (PCP), Alba-Sierra Perez, NP, ordered tests to assess her situation, which revealed that she had prediabetes. Perez referred her to Ann Camacho, RN, Diabetes Educator at GRMC, for guidance on understanding the disease and how to make needed changes to her diet. Trimble says that she was “scared straight” with this finding, and she was grateful to have Camacho teach her all about the diabetic process; how it affects the body; how the wrong foods can make it worse; and how to read labels to check for cholesterol, sodium and added sugars. Trimble changed her diet significantly by reducing carbohydrates, eliminating sodas and fast food, and increasing vegetables and water consumption. As a result, her A1C level dropped from 6.4 (alarming) to 5.7 (normal), she has lost 100 pounds, and her energy and health have improved dramatically. Trimble would encourage anyone who is struggling with their health to check with their PCP and take their diet and physical activity seriously—your life literally depends on a healthy lifestyle!