Amanuel Habtu was 16 years old when a ketone test revealed he had type 1 diabetes. Commonly known as T1D, it is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to kill off the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin is used to convert carbohydrates, starches and other food into the energy the body needs to function properly.
Habtu’s symptoms were text book distinct, starting with losing 20 pounds for no reason.
“I was drinking water and was urinating a lot – like throughout the night and things like that,” Habtu said. “I was always tired. It would be tough for me to like walk from point-A to point B without being like completely out of breath – like class to class when I was in school. I remember that. It was really hard.”
And Habtu said he would cramp up all the time, due to dehydration.
He said a urine ketone test and blood sugar analysis confirmed he had T1D. Habtu now gives himself insulin injections at mealtime to keep his blood sugars under control.
“ A lot of it is just like making sure that I always know – and have a set time of a day that I need to take my medicine and at night -every night at the same time,” he said.
Now, as a busy student at St. Louis School of Pharmacy, Habtu is following the footsteps of his pharmacist dad, who also graduated from STLCOP. Busy, yes – but committed to doing what it takes to make sure diabetes doesn’t slow him down.
“I’m making sure that I watch what I eat – always being able to look up the carbs to know what’s going to be in it and how much sugar is going to be in the meal,” Habtu said, “and always trying to exercise because I know that’s helps you to maintain a good blood sugar – working out – sweating lowers blood sugar and helps you control it better.”
Habtu said he also has to know his limits and know exactly what he is eating. Since his diagnosis three years ago, Habtu eats a lot less sweets and he eliminated some sugars altogether. If he drinks soda, they are the diet kind.
“The one thing that I’ve learned that I didn’t know before is that [diabetes] really isn’t something that stops you, and you can do anything that you want to do.” Habtu said. “It’s just another thing that you have to do and keep in your mind and make it a part of your day and your routine daily.”
