There are some things you can control. And there are some things you can’t control. Up until recently, hormones fell into the second bucket. We were expected to put up with aging and all the discomforts, irritations, and conditions that came along with it.
Lucky for us that that has changed.
With all the medical advances that have occurred over the last few decades, we now know what causes many of the conditions that come with aging and have learned how hormone levels affect how our bodies work. We’ve also found ways to take control of our hormone levels with things like insulin and hormone optimization therapies.
It’s not just menopausal women who are affected by changing hormones. Men do too. And when your hormones change – the rest of your body functions follow.
Hormonal fluctuations can lead to more than just low libido, muscle wasting, hot flashes, and hair loss. They can also lead to conditions like Diabetes.
WHAT? Did you just say Diabetes??? Yes, we did. Hormones help regulate your blood sugar levels. And we aren’t just talking about the hormone insulin.
If you already have Diabetes, hormone changes can affect your blood sugar levels too. The underlying reason this happens is different for women and men.
Hormones and Diabetes: Here’s What You Need to Know, Ladies!
If you’ve already hit perimenopause or menopause, then you know all about how hormone changes bring on hot flashes, brain fog, irritability, and trouble sleeping. These symptoms are all caused by the shift that’s happening with your hormones.
Since estrogen and progesterone and affect how your cells respond to insulin, they affect your blood sugar levels. Drops and spikes in hormones trigger fluctuations that make your blood sugar levels go up and down. So not only are your hormones on a roller coaster ride through hell but so is your blood sugar. If the roller coaster gets out of control, you are at a higher risk of getting the big “D,” Diabetes.
Women with Diabetes
If you already have Diabetes, these ups and downs mean you have to pay closer attention, test your levels, and make adjustments more often. And if you have Type 1 Diabetes, low blood sugar levels may happen more often as you get closer to menopause. This can be a signal that your hormones are dropping, and you may need less insulin.
Telling the difference between low blood sugar and moodiness or other perimenopause symptoms can be a challenge, but your life will improve dramatically once you get the hang of it.
What If You Can’t Get Your Levels Under Control on Your Own?
Since this isn’t just about insulin, you have other options to help you get this under control. Hormone optimization therapy can make a massive difference to women suffering from the hormone roller coaster ride.
It’s pretty simple— even out the hormones, even out your life. Symptoms decrease. Blood glucose levels get back into balance. And you can get back to focusing on what’s important to you.
Hormones and Diabetes: This Is for the Dudes
Two Things: Sleep and Aging
Let’s talk about sleep first. It’s probably the first thing you give up. If that’s the case, you need to move it to the top of your priority list.
Why? There are so many reasons, but in the hormones and diabetes arena, it’s because it could cause insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance is when your body doesn’t use insulin right. Like when somebody walks into the gym and tries to use the wrong machine for the muscle set their building.
Researchers recently discovered why lack of sleep can cause insulin resistance. It’s simple: an imbalance between cortisol and testosterone.
Testosterone is your main anabolic (muscle-building) hormone. Cortisol (the “stress hormone”) breaks down energy and fat stores for your body to use.
Sleep loss reduces a man’s testosterone levels and increases cortisol levels. Even one night of poor sleep can cause insulin resistance. So, make sleep a priority!
We know that some of you are smirking right now because getting more sleep is like chasing an impossible dream. The good news? Controlling testosterone and cortisol levels can help! We’ll get to that in a minute.
First, let’s take a quick look at aging. Testosterone naturally decreases as men get older. Not only can that cause low sex drive, muscle loss, and a decrease in strength, but it can also cause insulin resistance. Testosterone therapy can improve your blood sugar levels.
Generally speaking, if you don’t want to get Diabetes or already have Diabetes, you need to watch your weight, eat a healthy diet, and get 30 minutes of exercise a day. If you’ve got Diabetes, you also need to check your blood sugar levels and talk to your doctor if there are all over the place and you can’t figure out why.
If you’re reading our blog, you’re probably not here because you are overweight or don’t get enough exercise, so that the typical advice won’t cut it. That’s why we offer hormone optimization therapy.
What Is Hormone Optimization Therapy (HOT)?
Remember when we said that controlling your hormones was a way to avoid insulin resistance and balance blood sugar levels? You can do that with Hormone Optimization Therapy?
The goal of HOT: Get your hormone levels to their optimal threshold.
How it works: If you have low testosterone levels, what’s the most obvious thing you could do? Put more testosterone in your system. You need to replace what is missing. That’s what HOT does.
Managing Diabetes
First, your levels have to be measured the levels to find out how much you need. Then the missing hormones can be added to your system via injections, supplements, patches, pellets, or other means. Then we check the levels regularly and make adjustments as needed.
Here’s Our Easy 3-Step HOT Process:
- Get lab tests to see whether hormone levels in your body are below their optimal threshold.
- If levels are not optimal, we’ll develop a plan to get them where they need to be.
- We’ll send the hormones, supplements, or meds that you need right to your doorstep.
HOT is like Hormone Replacement therapy on steroids. We won’t settle for average or normal. We aim to optimize. Contacts us for your free 15-minute consultation today!
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