Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Low Blood Sugar And Hormones

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What Are The Symptoms Of Glucagon

Insulin and Glucagon | Physiology | Biology | FuseSchool

Depending on the situation and condition, you can experience low and/or high blood sugar from abnormal glucagon levels.

Symptoms of low blood sugar

The signs and symptoms of low blood sugar include:

  • Shaking or trembling.
  • Tingling or numbness in your face or mouth.

If youre experiencing these symptoms, its important to eat food with carbohydrates/sugar to treat it and bring your blood sugar levels up. If you experience these symptoms often, contact your healthcare provider.

Symptoms of high blood sugar

While high blood sugar levels are most commonly caused by an issue with not having enough insulin and not an isolated glucagon issue, its possible to have elevated blood sugar levels from rare glucagon issues. Early signs and symptoms of high blood sugar include:

  • Increased thirst and/or hunger.

If youre experiencing these symptoms, its important to see your healthcare provider.

Menopause Starts Earlier Than You Think

Menopause doesnt happen overnight, but rather it comes in a series of phases. The first phase is called Perimenopause. In perimenopause, the hormone production in the ovaries begins to slowly decrease and menstruation becomes irregular.

The hormonal shift in this early phase of menopause can actually trigger low blood sugars more often, especially at night. Of course, many women in perimenopause experience the typical menopause symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating and hot flashes which can be mistaken for the symptoms of hypoglycemia. To be on the safe side, You may want to monitor your blood sugar more often.

The Outlook For Women

As women get older, hormone changes before and during menopause often cause hot flashes, irritability, and trouble sleeping. Not only do these drops or spikes in the hormones impact your mood and life, but they can also affect your blood sugar. These ups and downs may mean you have to test your levels and make adjustments more often.

If you have type 1 diabetes, you may notice low blood sugar levels more often as you get closer to menopause. This can be a sign that your hormones are going down and you may need less insulin. Itâs important to know the difference between low blood sugar and moodiness or other perimenopause symptoms.

You may reach menopause early if you have type 1 diabetes, but if youâre overweight and have type 2, your changes could start later. Thatâs because estrogen doesnât drop as quickly in heavier women.

As your bodyâs changing, itâs easy to confuse signs of menopause with symptoms of high or low blood sugar. Dizziness, sweating, irritability, and trouble concentrating could all result from hormonal changes or from blood sugar thatâs too high or too low. The only way to know for sure — and the safest thing to do — is to test it. But checking too often can take an emotional toll. If youâre worried, your doctor or diabetes educator can help you figure out how often to do it.

If you canât get your blood sugar levels where they need to be, your doctor might suggest hormone replacement therapy .

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How Your Body Regulates Glucose

Lets first review some basics about. The glucose in your blood serves as a primary source of energy for all the cells in your body. There are other molecules your body can make for fuel if needed, like ketones, but well keep the focus on glucose here for simplicity.

Your body has sensors throughout it to determine if you are at the correct blood glucose level. In people without, this level is typically between 70 and 120 mg/dL . There are multiple hormones that either activate or go quiet as needed to protect this glucose level. If the, your body might release catecholamine hormones to trigger an increase in the level of glucose in the blood. If, your body will release and other hormones to correct the level back down to an appropriate range.

People with diabetes dont lose the ability to raise or lower their blood sugar levels rather, the hormones that serve to keep blood glucose in the correct range dont function correctly, and the sensors that assess the glucose level are also often impaired.

Do You Have Insulin Resistance

Cortisol and Diabetes: Is there a Hormonal Connection?

How do you find out if youre insulin resistant? No one test will tell you, but if you have high blood sugar levels, high triglycerides , high LDL cholesterol, and low HDL cholesterol, your health care provider may determine you have insulin resistance.

Important note: Type 1 diabetes is different its thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction . People with type 1 diabetes dont make enough insulin and need to take it to survive.

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What To Know About Diabetic Macular Edema

Fiber plays a preventative role, too. Studies have found that high-fiber diets can reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 15 to 19 percent compared to low-fiber diets, according to a March 2018 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine.

Youll find fiber in plant foods such as raspberries, peas, and whole grains, according to the Mayo Clinic. Beans are another good source of fiber. People with type 2 diabetes who ate at least a cup of legumes daily for three months had lower blood glucose levels as measured by the A1C test, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Beans also are an excellent source of folate, which is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, a common diabetes complication, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Men should aim for 30 to 38 g of fiber per day, and women should eat 21 to 25 g per day, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Type 1 Diabetes Low Blood Sugar Symptoms

Type 1 diabetes in an autoimmune disease where a persons pancreas doesnt produce insulina hormone needed to convert food into energy. It affects children and adults, comes on suddenly, and it cannot be prevented or cured. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a common and dangerous occurance with type 1 diabetes. If your blood sugar gets too low it may lead to insulin shock, which is life-threatening if not cared for. Low blood sugar can happen when your body has too little foodor glucoseor when it produces too much insulin. Type 1 diabetes hypoglycemia symptoms So what are the low blood sugar symptoms you should look out for? Its important to realize that the signs of low blood sugar will vary depending on the person. However, people with type 1 diabeteswhether its been diagnosed or notmay experience one or more of the following: -Sweating and shaking -Blurry vision -Poor coordination -Dizziness or feeling lightheaded -Difficulty concentrating -Feeling anxious or irritable -Hunger or nausea -Erratic changes in behavior What to do if you experience low blood glucose symptoms Severely low blood-sugar levels can lead to hypoglycemic seizures, unconsciousness, coma, and death if left untreated. Thats why its important to see a doctor if you think you have low blood sugar so he or she can check your blood-glucose levelslook into whether type 1 diabetes may be a causeand provide the necessary treatment. Your support is more critical than everContinue reading > >

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What Is The A1c Test

The A1C test is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 or 3 months. The test is done at a lab or your doctors office in addition tonot instead ofregular blood sugar testing you do yourself.

A1C testing is part of the ABCs of diabetesimportant steps you can take to prevent or delay health complications down the road:

The A1C goal for most adults with diabetes is between 7% and 8%, but your goal may be different depending on your age, other health conditions, medicines youre taking, and other factors. Work with your doctor to establish a personal A1C goal for you.

Use Htma Testing To Properly Balance Your Minerals

Endocrinology | Pancreas: Insulin Function

I am a BIG fan of properly testing and not guessing. It is no different when it comes to addressing nutrient deficiencies or imbalances. Vitamins and minerals impact vitamins and minerals so if you take the wrong things, take the wrong dose, or skip important nutrients then you can do more harm than good.

One of my top recommendations for working on nutrient balances is using a HTMA test and we run them on all our clients. This particular test is great for so a dozen different things but one is assessing carbohydrate tolerance and blood sugar imbalances like diabetes and insulin resistance.

Certain minerals help support healthy blood sugar levels including calcium and magnesium as well as chromium and zinc. But before you start blindly supplementing you need to know your levels so make sure you work with a practitioner that are well trained so you dont make harmful mistakes. Balancing minerals is more than just supplementing. You also need to be addressing diet, lifestyle and gut health.

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Ways To Significantly Improve Or Possibly Reverse Insulin Resistance:

The good news is, insulin resistance may be reduced or even completely reversed with simple lifestyle measures. These include exercise, eating healthy, losing weight, quitting smoking, balancing your hormones and taking care of your sleep and stress levels.

  • Lose weightAccording to the Obesity Society, losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help prevent or delay the progression of type 2 diabetes. Clients on our Becoming Balanced weight loss program lose an average of 15-22 pounds* in just one month. Our program will not only help you lose weight, but with the assistance of our hormone balancing diet, supplements, relaxation program, and continual support, you will balance your blood sugar helping to improve your mood, sleep, and keep the weight off for good.
  • Eat a blood sugar balancing dietThe glycemic index measures and ranks various foods by how much they cause blood sugar levels to rise. Research shows that following a low glycemic index diet decreases fasting blood sugar levels. Avoid or eliminate anything high on the glycemic index such as refined white sugar, white breads and pastas, soda, etc. Use fresh ingredients and avoid processed foods. When you fill your plate with colorful, whole foods that are minimally processed and low GI, they work to lower your blood sugar levels and avoid spikes. Some examples include: meats, fish, eggs, nuts & seeds, leafy greens, non-starch vegetables, apples, grapefruit, legumes, sweet potatoes, and quinoa.
  • How Do Unbalanced Blood Sugars Impact Our Weight

    If you eat food that your body cant use or find a home for in your cells or glycogen stores, it will be stored as body fat. Essentially when the body cant find a home for it, this requires more insulin to be released. The more insulin your body needs to produce, the more body fat you will store.

    The more insulin your body needs to produce, the more body fat you will store.

    Here are some natural ways that you can balance your blood sugar levels:

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    Overdose Of Diabetes Medication

    A common cause of hypoglycaemia is taking too much insulin for your current needs. Insulin is a medication that helps control your blood glucose levels. It’s commonly used to treat type 1 diabetes and is also recommended for some people with type 2 diabetes.

    A fall in blood glucose levels can also occur after taking too much oral hypoglycaemia medication, such as sulphonylurea, which causes a release of insulin. This medication is often used to lower blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

    What Is The Function Of Glucagon

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    Your body normally carefully regulates your blood glucose primarily with the hormones glucagon and insulin. When your blood glucose levels trend lower or fall too low , your pancreas releases more glucagon. Glucagon helps blood glucose levels rise back up in multiple ways, including:

    • Glucagon triggers your liver to convert stored glucose into a usable form and then release it into your bloodstream. This process is called glycogenolysis.
    • Glucagon can also prevent your liver from taking in and storing glucose so that more glucose stays in your blood.
    • Glucagon helps your body make glucose from other sources, such as amino acids.

    If your blood glucose levels trend higher, your pancreas releases insulin to bring it back into range.

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    Symptoms Signs Causes Of Levels Of High Blood Sugar In The Blood

    High blood sugar or hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood sugar level in the blood. Hyperglycemia is a hallmark sign of diabetes and prediabetes.

    Signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia include blurred vision, headaches, hunger, and

    The normal ranges for blood sugar levels in adults who do not have diabetes while fasting are 72-99 mg/dL. These ranges may increase to 80-130 mg/dL for those being treated for diabetes.

    According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes should have

    • blood sugar levels of 80-130 mg/dL before eating a meal , and
    • less than 180 mg/dL about 1-2 hours after eating a meal

    High blood sugar ranges for people who dont have diabetes begin at 140 mg/dL, while those being treated for diabetes have a high range beginning at 180 mg/dL.

    How Does Hyperglycemia Happen

    Insulin is a hormone that lets your body use the sugar in your blood, which comes primarily from carbohydrates in the food that you eat. Hyperglycemia happens when your body has too little insulin to use the sugar in your blood.

    People with type 1 diabetes can have episodes of hyperglycemia every day. Although this can be frustrating, it rarely creates a medical emergency. Not taking enough insulin can lead to hyperglycemia .

    Other things that can cause hyperglycemia include:

    • Having trouble seeing or concentrating
    • Experiencing stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
    • Having sweet-smelling or fruity breath
    • Cuts or sores that do not heal, infections, and unexplained weight loss may also be signs of long-term hyperglycemia.

    If you notice any of these symptoms, you should check your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is very high, you should also test for ketones in either your blood or urine.

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    Hormones And Their Affect On Type 1 Diabetes Management

    For people with Type 1 diabetes, there are certain stages in life that can seem a bit more like a rollercoaster than others. In most cases, these ups and downs can be attributed to a shift in hormones. Major hormonal changes can be due to many things, such as puberty, menopause, menstrual cycle, stress and illness, to name a few.

    Definitive correlations between hormones and blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivities and other possible Type 1 related side effects have been difficult to pinpoint thus far. Until more studies have been published about hormonal effects on T1D, there are things we can keep in mind based on the type of imbalance hormones can generally cause for T1D management.

    How Can I Prevent Low Blood Glucose

    Understanding Hypoglycemia

    Your best bet is to practice good diabetes management and learn to detect hypoglycemia so you can treat it earlybefore it gets worse.

    Monitoring blood glucose, with either a meter or a CGM, is the tried and true method for preventing hypoglycemia. Studies consistently show that the more a person checks blood glucose, the lower his or her risk of hypoglycemia. This is because you can see when blood glucose levels are dropping and can treat it before it gets too low.

    If you can, check often!

    • Check before and after meals.
    • Check before and after exercise .
    • Check before bed.
    • After intense exercise, also check in the middle of the night.
    • Check more if things around you change such as, a new insulin routine, a different work schedule, an increase in physical activity, or travel across time zones.

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    Easy Steps To Balance Your Blood Sugar

    Morning:

    Wake up

    • Do drink 8-10oz of water . You can squeeze some fresh lemon juice into it if you want.
    • Dont drink caffeine before breakfast!

    Within 60 minutes of waking up

    • Do eat a protein-rich breakfast to set you up for stable blood sugar throughout the day. Think eggs, greens, chicken sausage, sweet potatoes, oatmeal with nuts and seeds, a smoothie with protein powder and healthy fats .
    • Dont eat high-carb foods like bagels, bread, cereal or anything sugary, including juice.

    Other helpful tips:

  • Make sure you include protein, complex carbs, healthy fats and fiber in each meal you consume.
  • Eat in a calm environment sit down and chew your food well
  • You should feel full and satisfied for about 4-6 hours after youve eaten.
  • If you feel hungry sooner, then have a small snack immediately to avoid any blood sugar crashes.
  • You should not crave sweets or sugar after you have eaten and you should feel energized, not tired.
  • If you want to get a full morning, lunch and dinner protocol along with the exact steps you need to take to reclaim your energy, sparkle and inner happy girl , then check out my Fix Your Blood Sugar Protocol.

    Well spend time together chatting about the best foods for your hormones, caffeine, alcohol, inflammation, cravings, migraines and cramps! Ive only shared this information in my private and group program courses so this will be a treat for you!

    What youre going to learn in this protocol:

    What youll get:

    Why Am I Having Lows

    If you are experiencing low blood glucose and youre not sure why, bring a record of blood glucose, insulin, exercise, and food data to a health care provider. Together, you can review all your data to figure out the cause of the lows.

    The more information you can give your health care provider, the better they can work with you to understand what’s causing the lows. Your provider may be able to help prevent low blood glucose by adjusting the timing of insulin dosing, exercise, and meals or snacks. Changing insulin doses or the types of food you eat may also do the trick.

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