Recently, Bao’an Daily focused on Shenzhen Hengsheng Hospital, a member of Fosun Health. It reported on a 53-year-old Spanish patient with diabetes, diagnosed at age 10, who traveled across the world to seek treatment from Chief Physician An Chiying of the Endocrinology Department. After systematic intervention by Dr. An, his blood sugar became well-controlled, and his quality of life improved significantly.

“For the first time in 43 years, I feel I have regained control of my life,” said Thomas (pseudonym), a Spanish construction engineer who has lived with type 1 diabetes for half his life. He spoke these heartfelt words in Shenzhen, China, far from his home.

In the summer of 2025, a short news report from the Associated Press, reprinted in a Spanish newspaper, rippled through his peaceful life like a stone dropped into water, stirring waves of hope.

From “Impossible” to “Let’s Try”: A Spark Ignited by One News Report

Thomas’s struggle reflects that of type 1 diabetes patients worldwide. It is not only a metabolic disease requiring careful management but also a long-term test of physical and mental endurance.For years, Thomas’s daily life consisted of multiple insulin injections, constant blood sugar monitoring, persistent skin problems, and ongoing physical and mental exhaustion.

He had long accepted the reality of lifelong insulin dependence.

Therefore, when he read a newspaper report about the Integrated Medicine Center at Shenzhen Hengsheng Hospital helping type 1 diabetes patients greatly reduce or even discontinue insulin use, his first reaction was deep doubt: “This cannot be true.”

The “Answer” Found in China: More Than Numbers, But How He Feels

At Shenzhen Hengsheng Hospital, Thomas was greeted not with a rigid, impersonal plan.Led by Chief Physician An Chiying, the Integrated Medicine Center conducted a thorough, comprehensive evaluation. It revealed that his long-term struggles stemmed not only from diabetes but also from a series of interconnected health imbalances.Based on these findings, the team designed a holistic, restoration-focused plan. Its goal was not only to lower blood sugar readings but also to improve his internal physical environment at the root.

Signs of improvement came quickly. Within just a few weeks, Thomas felt a sense of physical lightness he had not experienced in a long time.This encouraged him to return to Shenzhen at the end of 2025 for more in-depth, systematic treatment.

The most striking surprise came from the treatment itself: his multiple daily insulin injections were reduced to just once a week, greatly easing his fear of needles and daily burden.An even deeper change was in how he felt: the frequent hunger and intense sugar cravings caused by extreme blood sugar fluctuations disappeared. “With my current blood sugar levels, I don’t feel hungry. I feel good, full, and satisfied,” Thomas said.According to Chief Physician An Chiying, although Thomas is 53 years old, he becomes joyful like a child whenever he notices improvements and shares them with the team immediately.

Exploring More Possibilities Based on the Integrated Medicine Model

Comparative data before and after treatment strongly confirms these results: Thomas’s time in target blood glucose range rose sharply from less than half (46%) to most of the day (88%), meaning he spends over 21 hours daily within a safe glucose range. He also achieved a healthy weight loss of more than 8 kilograms. For him, however, more precious than these figures are the tangible improvements in his daily life: “I have never made such progress in blood glucose control and quality of life. Even my personality has become calmer and better.”

Today, Thomas maintains close contact with the Shenzhen medical team through a digital health platform and continues his health journey. Chief Physician An Chiying said: “We do not promise miracles. Based on rigorous science—the integrated medicine model—we explore the greatest possible improvement for each patient. Thomas’s smile and vitality are the best affirmation of our work.”

From a newspaper report in Spain to a life-changing turnaround in Shenzhen, China, Thomas’s cross-continental journey has lit a beacon of hope for countless patients around the world who are also seeking solutions. His story shows that on the long journey of fighting illness, distant persistence and an innovative approach can sometimes bring unexpected light to life.

Dr. An Chiying

•   American visiting scholar, medical postdoctoral fellow, functional medicine expert

•   Pioneered intestinal flora transplantation in Shenzhen to reverse diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases

•   Director of the Endocrinology Department

•   Associate Chief Physician/Associate Professor

•   Postdoctoral Fellow in Preventive Medicine

•   Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, USA

Social Appoinments

Director of the Functional Medicine Branch of the China Health Management Association (Founding)

Member of the Expert Committee on Precision Blood Glucose Management of the China Health Management Association

Standing Committee Member of the Obesity and Weight Management Professional Committee of the Guangdong Association of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine

Member of the Diabetes Management Branch of the Guangdong Medical Industry Association

Standing Committee Member of the Osteoporosis and Bone Mineral Salt Committee of the Shenzhen Medical Doctor Association

Director of the Diabetes Professional Committee of the Shenzhen Medical Doctor Association

Professional Expertise

Functional medicine reversal treatment for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, with rich experience in the treatment of various types of diabetes; Especially good at intestinal flora transplantation technology, proficient in healthy scientific weight gain/loss management and nutritional conditioning of chronic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperuricemia; Rich clinical experience in hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules, etc.; Profound attainments in the diagnosis and treatment of gout, osteoporosis, pituitary diseases, hyperprolactinemia, adrenal diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility caused by endocrine disorders, etc.

Department of Endocrinology

•   Member of Guangdong Obesity & Diabetes Specialty Alliance

•   Guangdong Multidisciplinary (MDT) Center for Gut Microbiota Transplantation

•   Guangdong Clinical Remission Center for Obesity & Diabetes

•   Guangdong Youth Obesity Prevention & Treatment Base

•   Member of Shenzhen Endocrinology Medical Quality Control Alliance

•   Academic Lead: Dr. An Chiying, Postdoctoral Researcher and Visiting Scholar from the U.S., formerly at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University

Specialized Services & Technologies

Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes reversal and management of diabetic complications

Gut Microbiota Transplantation (FMT): First in Bao’an District and among the first in Shenzhen to treat metabolic disorders including diabetes, gout, and obesity; also used for constipation and diarrhea

Thyroid Disorders: Comprehensive treatment of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and thyroid nodules through holistic mind–body balance therapies combined with medication

Menopause, Premature Aging & Subhealth: Endocrine regulation and metabolic optimization

Obesity Management: Successfully treated over 300 children and adults, reducing obesity-related complications, promoting a leaner body type, and minimizing rebound