Know Your Real Risk of Diabetes

 
 

Is Your Doctor Missing Early Signs of Pre-Diabetes?

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing chronic diseases worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that diabetes directly caused 1.5 million deaths in 2019, with another 460,000 deaths attributed to kidney disease linked to diabetes. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or can’t produce enough of it. While genetics play a role, lifestyle factors—diet, activity, sleep, and stress—are the strongest drivers of risk. The good news: type 2 diabetes can often be delayed or prevented with lifestyle changes.

Here’s the problem: the conventional medical system often relies on limited lab markers, like fasting glucose, which may not catch insulin resistance until it has progressed for years. Research shows that subtle changes in blood sugar regulation can appear a decade before a diabetes diagnosis. Identifying these red flags early gives women the best chance to reverse course.

Why Fasting Glucose Alone Isn’t Enough

Fasting glucose is a valid test, but it’s just a snapshot of one moment in time. Results can be influenced by hormones, stress, time of day, or even last night’s dinner. To truly see what’s happening, a broader panel is more effective.

4 Lab Tests That Give a Clearer Picture

1. Hemoglobin A1C

  • Shows average blood sugar levels over 2–3 months, including after meals.

  • Conventional prediabetes range: 5.7–6.4%.

  • Many functional medicine physicians aim for 4.8–5.2% as optimal.

2. Fasting Insulin

  • Rising insulin is often the first sign of insulin resistance, even when glucose looks “normal.”

  • Conventional concern starts at 7 µIU/mL or above.

  • Optimal levels are often considered under 5–6 µIU/mL.

3. HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance)

  • Combines fasting glucose and fasting insulin into a score.

  • ≤1 is optimal; ≥2.5–3.0 suggests insulin resistance.

4. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

  • A 2-hour test measuring how your body handles a glucose load.

  • Blood glucose ≥140 mg/dL at 2 hours signals impaired glucose metabolism and higher cardiovascular risk.

Who Is at Risk?

Factors that increase the risk of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes include:

  • Family history or genetic predisposition

  • High blood pressure or metabolic syndrome

  • Sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, or excess weight (especially around the waist)

  • PCOS, hypothyroidism, or menopause (due to hormonal shifts)

  • Poor sleep or chronic stress

The Takeaway

Type 2 diabetes is not inevitable. Lifestyle—nutrient-dense eating, regular movement, restorative sleep, and stress management—is the first line of defense. Pairing these with regular, comprehensive lab work helps catch risks early, often years before conventional medicine would flag a problem.

If you’re unsure where to start, a health coach or fitness professional can help you build sustainable changes, and partnering with a physician who understands the full spectrum of testing ensures you don’t miss critical early signs.

This blog is not to be used as medical advice or for making any lifestyle changes to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.

Kristin Smith