Aggressively managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and bone loss

Physicians have many options available for treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Making decisions on types of pharmaceuticals to use and when to introduce them into the treatment regimen can be a complex process. In addition, nutrition and exercise must be considered in any comprehensive treatment plan. The author describes the case of an African American woman with uncontrolled T2DM, obesity, hyperlipidemia, low bone mass, menopausal symptoms, stage 3 chronic kidney disease, distal sensory neuropathy, and background retinopathy. An aggressive, comprehensive treatment plan developed for this patient included pharmaceuticals (triple oral therapy: metformin, pioglitazone hydrochloride, and sitagliptin phosphate), nutrition counseling (with a registered, licensed dietician), and exercise. Treatment led to substantial improvements in the patient's daytime glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin level, and body weight at 3-month follow-up. Further interventions were needed to address the patient's hyperlipidemia and low bone mass. The author offers physician guidelines for making decisions on glycemic control for patients with T2DM and for managing hyperlipidemia. He also strongly recommends incorporating nutrition counseling by registered, licensed dietitians and exercise (preferably of a weight-bearing nature) into treatment plans for patients with T2DM, hyperlipidemia, and low bone mass.