Blood Sugar Testing Mastery: Why Consistent Testing is Key to Optimal Health

Encouraging your clients to check their blood sugar regularly can be a game-changer for their health journey – it's that critical.

However, what I've noticed from past programs I've conducted for practitioners and clients is that this fundamental baseline test often doesn't get the attention it deserves. In fact, in recent programs where I've guided practitioner students in learning to test and chart their own blood sugar with a blood glucose meter, many have discovered insulin sensitivity issues they were previously unaware of. So, let's dig deeper into this crucial topic.

When did you last assess and record a client's blood sugar levels? Recognizing the valuable insights this data offers into their overall health is crucial. Appreciating the significance of regular glucose testing can significantly impact your approach to client care.

Understanding the Significance of Glucose Testing

In functional medicine, the importance of glucose testing cannot be overstated. This vital tool allows practitioners to gain deep insights into the body's metabolic dynamics, paving the way for personalized interventions. By assessing glucose levels, we can identify imbalances, monitor progress, and tailor healthcare plans to address root causes, promoting optimal health from within.

But here's a truth often overlooked: getting your clients to check their own blood sugar level could literally save their lives.

Blood sugar issues and imbalances, such as insulin resistance, have serious consequences. They extend beyond increased body fat and can result in thyroid and growth hormone deficiencies, lack of energy and focus, high blood pressure, systemic inflammation, and an increased cancer risk. The risk of Alzheimer's is also elevated with blood sugar issues.

And here's an eye-opener: blood sugar problems don't just happen to overweight people. At one point in my life, I had a blood sugar problem (and was at the beginning stages of developing insulin resistance), despite being thin and eating healthfully!

The Importance of Blood Sugar Testing

A staggering 93% of the US population has issues with their blood sugar! It often leads to insulin resistance, estimated to affect one in four people in the US – about 68 million people.

Blood sugar is often the underlying cause of symptoms. In my own practice, I've found that elevated blood glucose levels or sugar issues, such as insulin resistance, underlie more than 50% of the cases I see, with a multitude of different presenting symptoms but a common underlying cause – high blood sugar.

The sad thing about the lack of testing is that my blood sugar testing methods and continuous glucose monitoring system use aren't difficult! In my recently launched Sweet Spot Solution program, I teach people how to test and monitor their own blood sugar. It's not complicated, and people learn how to chart their measurements while tracking improvements as they employ my proven system.

People making necessary lifestyle changes can reverse insulin resistance issues and reduce their risk for disease while achieving a clear mind, an energetic body, and a flat belly.

Methods for Testing for Blood Sugar and Insulin Dysregulation

Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG)

Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) refers to a blood glucose tested in the bloodstream after an individual has abstained from eating or drinking anything other than water for a minimum of eight hours. This measurement is a key component in assessing an individual's metabolic health and plays a pivotal role in assessing conditions such as insulin resistance and prediabetes.

Research in recent years has highlighted the significance of FBG as a predictor of various health outcomes. Studies have shown that elevated FBG levels are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases. According to research published in the “Journal of Diabetes Investigation,” maintaining optimal FBG levels is crucial in preventing the onset of diabetes and reducing the risk of complications related to the disease.

Moreover, emerging research emphasizes the role of FBG not only in diagnosing diabetes but also in evaluating overall health. Elevated fasting blood glucose has been linked to insulin resistance, which can indicate metabolic dysfunction. A study published in the “Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” revealed that high FBG levels are closely related to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that heighten the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Postprandial Glucose Testing

Postprandial glucose testing involves measuring blood glucose levels after consuming a meal. Testing is done over a period of 1-3 hours after eating to determine the body's response to foods. Unlike fasting blood glucose testing, which provides a baseline measurement after an overnight fast, postprandial glucose testing offers insights into how the body metabolizes and regulates glucose in the blood sample response to food intake.

This method is crucial to understanding how the body handles the surge in blood glucose levels that occurs after eating. Research indicates that elevated postprandial glucose levels, even within the normal fasting glucose range, can contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and other metabolic disorders. Studies published in journals like “Diabetes Care” have demonstrated that elevated postprandial plasma glucose levels are associated with an augmented risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications.

The significance of postprandial glucose testing extends beyond diagnosing diabetes. Research in the “Journal of the American College of Cardiology” suggests that fluctuations in postprandial glucose levels, especially rapid spikes and subsequent drops, may contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which are factors in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) represents a real-time approach to tracking glucose levels over an extended period. This cutting-edge technology enables practitioners to obtain a dynamic understanding of glucose fluctuations and patterns throughout the day. 

By using devices that monitor blood glucose levels continuously, a CGM offers a more detailed and real-world perspective, empowering people to make informed decisions and adjustments to their diet and lifestyle to optimize individualized care.

Recent advancements in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology have facilitated real-time tracking of postprandial glucose levels, allowing for a more detailed analysis of the average blood glucose level and fluctuations throughout the day. This technology aids in personalized healthcare strategies by enabling individuals and healthcare professionals to observe how specific foods affect blood sugar levels and make informed lifestyle choices accordingly.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Testing

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing is a measure of the % of the red blood cells that are “sugar coated.” The higher the number, the worse the risk. This measure gives an estimate of the average blood glucose levels over a three to four-month period. This testing method offers a holistic view of long-term glucose control and provides crucial information about an individual's risk for diabetes. 

By examining the cumulative impact of low and high blood glucose, and levels over time, HbA1c testing gives an idea of how the body has been handling blood glucose over time.

This testing method is particularly valuable in evaluating an individual's average blood sugar levels over several months, reflecting how well glucose has been managed. Research has shown that HbA1c levels correlate with the risk of developing complications related to blood sugar imbalances. Studies published in journals such as “Diabetes Care” emphasize that higher HbA1c and elevated blood glucose levels are associated with an increased risk of health complications, including retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular diseases.Glucose Testing in Relation to Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia

Blood sugar testing plays a crucial role in understanding blood sugar response. Its relevance in functional medicine underscores its significance in assessing overall health and managing metabolic imbalances.

The Importance of Insulin Testing

Testing fasting insulin gives us a clearer understanding of how dietary choices impact glucose levels and, subsequently, insulin responses. While blood sugar levels are commonly associated with insulin spikes, it's important to recognize that certain foods can elicit a robust insulin response without significantly affecting blood sugar. This relationship is particularly evident in the case of dairy products, which, despite having a low glycemic index, can provoke a substantial increase in insulin.

The glycemic index, often considered a guideline for food choices, has its limitations. A prime example is the misleading perception of coconut nectar as a low-glycemic sweetener. Practical experimentation, such as adding coconut nectar to hot water, reveals its potential to cause a substantial spike in blood sugar, challenging the conventional notion of what qualifies as low-glycemic.

Similarly, blueberries, classified as a low-glycemic fruit with insulin sensitivity-improving properties, may not universally align with individual responses. Variations in blood sugar reactions to blueberries show the importance of personalized testing to truly understand how the body processes specific foods.

Dairy products exhibit a notable insulin response despite their minimal impact on blood sugar levels. A deeper exploration reveals that the amino acids leucine, valine, lysine, and isoleucine, particularly abundant in whey, trigger insulin production.

The combination of protein-rich foods, fat, and refined carbohydrates hides insulin responses. Some foods, rich in this combination, may lead to elevated insulin levels even when blood sugar remains relatively stable. This is exemplified by scenarios where a protein-rich and carb-rich meal, such as steak with potatoes, results in a milder increase in blood glucose levels, masking a substantial surge in insulin.

The absence of a noticeable rise in blood glucose after consuming a particular food does not automatically categorize it as beneficial. Understanding the insulin responses provides a more comprehensive perspective on how the body metabolizes different foods. This knowledge empowers clients to make informed dietary choices based on their unique physiological responses, moving beyond basic assessments of blood sugar levels to consider the equally important factor of insulin testing.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia refers to lower-than-normal blood sugar levels, typically below 70 mg/dL. Blood sugar testing, including regular monitoring of fasting and postprandial glucose levels, helps identify episodes of hypoglycemia. For people prone to hypoglycemia, especially those with diabetes taking medications for high blood glucose levels like insulin or certain oral hypoglycemic agents, blood sugar testing with a glucose meter helps in early detection and prevention of low blood sugar episodes.

In functional medicine, understanding the underlying causes of hypoglycemia involves a comprehensive approach that includes evaluating dietary patterns, hormonal imbalances, stress levels, and other factors contributing to unstable blood sugar levels. Blood sugar testing aids in creating personalized healthcare plans focusing on diet modifications, stress reduction, hormone balancing, and targeted nutritional supplementation.

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia, on the other hand, refers to elevated blood sugar levels, often associated with insulin resistance and metabolic imbalances. Monitoring blood sugar levels through various tests, including fasting blood sugar readings with a glucose meter, postprandial glucose testing, and HbA1c, helps in the early detection and management of hyperglycemia.

Functional medicine emphasizes an integrative approach to managing hyperglycemia, focusing on identifying the root causes, such as diet, lifestyle, inflammation, gut health, and genetic factors. Blood sugar testing forms a critical part of this approach, aiding in tracking progress, guiding dietary and lifestyle interventions, and assessing the effectiveness of therapies targeting the underlying causes of high blood sugar.

Functional medicine utilizes blood sugar testing not only to identify and manage hypo and hyperglycemia but also to comprehend the interconnectedness of various body systems. It emphasizes individualized care, aiming to address the underlying imbalances contributing to abnormal blood sugar levels rather than just managing the symptoms. This approach involves personalized nutrition plans, stress management strategies, targeted supplementation, exercise plans, and other lifestyle modifications tailored to improve metabolic function and overall health.

For Further Information

Blood Sugar Testing is only part of what you need to do for your clients, it’s also important to understand patterns related to charted measurements as well as how to work with clients to reverse their imbalances. If you’re interested in learning more, make sure to click here to check out my Insulin Resistance Solution Practitioner’s Training.

I also just posted a podcast episode on the importance of Blood Sugar Testing. Listen to the full episode here.