By Dr. Lindsey VanDyke, DO, FACOI, FEAA
Director, Advanced Institute for Diabetes & Endocrinology
At the Advanced Institute for Diabetes & Endocrinology (AIDENDO), one of our most important responsibilities is helping patients catch chronic conditions early—before they turn into long-term complications. And when it comes to diabetes, the earlier we detect it, the more empowered you’ll be to take control of your health.
So let’s talk about the three signs I always encourage people to watch for—because while they might seem subtle at first, they can be red flags that your blood sugar is out of balance.
1. You’re Thirsty All the Time
Do you feel like no amount of water quenches your thirst? Do you constantly find yourself reaching for another glass, even after you just drank one?
Excessive thirst—known medically as polydipsia—is often one of the first symptoms of high blood sugar. Here’s why: when there’s too much glucose circulating in your bloodstream, your kidneys work overtime to try and flush it out. In order to do that, they need water. A lot of it.
That’s why your body is essentially begging for hydration—it’s attempting to dilute and excrete the sugar through urine. Unfortunately, this leads to another symptom you might have already noticed…
2. You’re Constantly Running to the Bathroom
Frequent urination—especially at night—is another early clue that diabetes might be developing.
If your blood sugar is elevated, your kidneys can’t keep up with filtering all that glucose, and they start dumping it into your urine. This pulls more fluid from your tissues, making you feel dehydrated, and the cycle continues: you drink more, and you urinate more.
Known as polyuria, this symptom can easily be mistaken for something else—like a urinary tract infection, prostate issues, or just “getting older.” But if it’s combined with increased thirst and fatigue, it’s time to have your blood sugar checked.
3. You’re Losing Weight… Without Trying
This is the one that often surprises people. “Isn’t losing weight a good thing?” many ask. And it can be—but not when it happens without effort, especially if you’re also experiencing the symptoms above.
When you have uncontrolled diabetes, your body isn’t able to use glucose effectively as fuel. Even though your blood is full of sugar, your cells are essentially starving. So your body starts breaking down muscle and fat for energy instead.
This leads to unintentional weight loss, which can be dangerous. You’re not losing the “right” kind of weight—you’re losing lean body mass and strength, which can affect everything from balance to immune function.
So What Should You Do If You Recognize These Signs?
Don’t panic—but don’t ignore them either. At AIDENDO, we believe in education, early intervention, and empathy. Diabetes is manageable—especially when caught early—and our clinic is designed around comprehensive, patient-centered care that includes:
- Full hormonal and metabolic workups
- Advanced glucose monitoring tools (like Eversense CGMs)
- Medication and nutrition plans tailored to your biology
- Remote monitoring via DiaDirect, our proprietary app that tracks blood sugar and blood pressure in real-time
- A team that listens to you, explains your condition, and walks with you every step of the way
As I always say: you deserve more than “just eat better” advice. You deserve structure, support, and a strategy.
Coming Soon: Endocrinology and Diabetes Care, Wherever You Are
If you live in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, or Colorado, expert help is now closer than ever. Dr. VanDyke’s virtual endocrinology services are expanding across these states—with Oregon and California coming soon.
Whether you’re managing diabetes, navigating new symptoms, or want an expert second opinion, you can now access board-certified, highly personalized care—without the wait, the drive, or the overwhelm.
Take the first step today.
Visit aidendo.com or call/text (817) 380-4880 to schedule your consultation.
Advanced endocrinology, now across state lines
You don’t have to live in Mansfield, Texas, to access the kind of care that treats the whole person, not just the diagnosis. Dr. Lindsey VanDyke, DO, FACOI, FEAA—board-certified in Endocrinology and Internal Medicine—offers a refreshingly different experience for patients facing diabetes, menopause, and metabolic challenges. With her background in osteopathic medicine and national recognition as a leader in cutting-edge therapies like radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and continuous glucose monitoring, Dr. VanDyke believes in getting to the root of the issue, not rushing through checklists.
From empathetic communication to evidence-based medicine, every visit is designed to educate, empower, and equip you for real, lasting progress. Now, that level of care is expanding beyond Mansfield. Through secure, convenient telehealth visits, patients across Oklahoma, Colorado, Washington, Texas, California and New Mexico can now receive expert-level endocrinology care—without long wait times or impersonal visits.
Coming soon: Oregon.
Because good medicine isn’t just about access. It’s about listening, explaining, and treating with integrity.
Wherever you are, expert endocrine care is only a click away.