Different types of blood sugar disorders

There are a few different types of blood sugar disorders. While symptoms and treatments vary, there are some common underlying themes.

• Hypoglycemia – this usually precedes prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. This is a condition in which we experience blood sugar spikes followed by crashes, resulting in fatigue, irritability and food cravings.
• Prediabetes – as we become more insulin resistant, our baseline blood sugar levels become higher than normal. This is because we have stressed out our cells and pancreas, and sugar cannot get burned effectively for energy.
• Type 2 Diabetes – in early stage diabetes, we have become more insulin resistant. Blood sugar levels have built up in the blood and are now technically in the “high level” (above 6.9 mmol/L in Canada or 125 mg/dl in the US). In later stage diabetes, your pancreas stops working and you are put on insulin injections
• Type 1 Diabetes – this is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the pancreas. As a result, your body cannot make insulin

Signs and symptoms of blood sugar imbalances

• Cravings for sweets, sugar, alcohol or coffee*
• Rarely wide awake within twenty minutes of waking
• Irritable if missed a meal*
• Sudden shakiness or weakness*
• Dizzy upon standing up (a common sign of adrenal fatigue and low blood pressure) *
• Tired or sleepy after meals*
• Afternoon fatigue (the 3-4 o’clock slump) *
• Night sweats or frequent headaches*
• Mood swings – anxiety, depression, irritability
• Abdominal obesity
• Inability to stay awake in the early evening (in other words falling asleep early in the evenings)

Common symptoms of diabetes

• Increased urination – especially at night
• Insatiable thirst
• Increased hunger – even though you are eating
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Weight loss – even though you are eating more (type 1)
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)
• Erectile dysfunction

Poor blood sugar regulation is tied in with many other illnesses

Some of the more common ones include

• heart disease
• PMS, hormone imbalances
• adrenal dysfunction
• obesity
• metabolic syndrome
• inflammatory conditions
• cancer

The Harmonic Health Approach

Through a combination of dietary analysis and functional lab testing, we are able to get a better picture of where the main problem areas are. Functional lab testing can evaluate the following aspects related to blood sugar imbalances:

• fasting blood glucose
• Fasting insulin and leptin levels
• HbA1c – functional marker used to assess long-term blood sugar regulation
• Adrenal gland function
• Pancreas and digestive system
• Organic Acids Test – can assess cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function. Both of these are key when it comes to how we burn our fuel for energy
• Micronutrient testing – measures nutrient levels inside the cell. Certain nutrients like chromium, zinc and vitamin B3 are essential for blood sugar management
• Glucose-fructose metabolism
• Antioxidant levels
• Inflammation in the body

Once we have done a thorough evaluation and assessment, a personalized functional medicine and lifestyle program integrates the necessary dietary and lifestyle changes along with customized supplementation. The results will vary depending on what condition/s you have.

diet and lifestyle are front-line therapies and are essential in restoring proper blood sugar regulation. Supplements and medication alone are futile

If you have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia, prediabetes or diabetes (type 1 or 2) and are looking for better answers, schedule a FREE discovery appointment with us today!