Understanding Your Blood Sugar: Empowering Health through the Pre-Diabetic Profile

Empower your health journey by addressing blood sugar regulation early with Riordan Clinic’s Pre-Diabetic Profile.

By Jasmin Murphy, BHA, ACE-CPT, Communications Manager

Blood sugar regulation is a critical aspect of maintaining overall health, especially as we navigate an environment filled with dietary temptations, stress, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. At Riordan Clinic, we believe that you have the power to heal, and one of the ways we can support you in that journey is through a deeper understanding of your body’s unique needs—particularly when it comes to managing blood sugar. That’s where our Pre-Diabetic Profile comes in.

What is the Pre-Diabetic Profile?

The Pre-Diabetic Profile is a targeted set of laboratory tests designed to give you an early and thorough understanding of how your body is managing blood glucose. Rather than waiting for the signs of diabetes to appear, this test offers proactive insights, allowing you to take control of your health before more serious issues arise. By addressing imbalances early, you can prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes and protect yourself from its long-term effects.

At the core of this profile are tests that measure fasting glucose, insulin, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)—markers that provide a window into your body’s glucose regulation over time. Additionally, the profile includes assessments for insulin resistance, inflammation, and key metabolic functions. Together, these results offer a complete picture of your blood sugar “terrain,” empowering you to make informed decisions for your health.

Why Early Detection Matters

Many people are unaware they are on the path to diabetes until it’s too late. Early detection through our Pre-Diabetic Profile can be a game-changer. You might not notice the subtle warning signs like fatigue, frequent urination, or slight weight gain, but these symptoms can point to underlying metabolic dysfunction. With our unique, integrative approach, you can be proactive rather than reactive, preventing further complications by tackling blood sugar irregularities before they escalate.

More than just diagnosing diabetes, our approach focuses on empowering you. Armed with the knowledge gained from this profile, you can adopt dietary, lifestyle, and supplement strategies that will help keep your blood sugar in check.

Complications of Uncontrolled Blood Sugar: Beyond the Numbers

While managing blood sugar is essential for immediate health, the long-term risks of uncontrolled blood sugar go far beyond what we see on a day-to-day basis. Prolonged high blood sugar levels, common in both diabetes and prediabetes, can lead to several severe complications that affect almost every system in the body.

Kidney Disease
One of the primary risks is diabetic nephropathy, where the kidneys are damaged over time, leading to chronic kidney disease or even kidney failure. This happens when the kidneys’ tiny filtering units become damaged from high glucose levels, leading to improper waste removal from the blood. Kidney disease often progresses slowly, making early detection and intervention crucial.

Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Damage
Another significant complication is peripheral neuropathy, where nerve damage—particularly in the extremities—occurs. This can lead to symptoms such as tingling, pain, or numbness, particularly in the feet and hands. Left untreated, nerve damage can worsen, potentially leading to amputation in severe cases.

Diabetic Retinopathy
High blood sugar can also cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, leading to a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. If left unmanaged, this condition can progress to vision loss or blindness.

Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risks
People with high blood sugar are at increased risk for developing hypertension (high blood pressure), which puts extra strain on the heart and arteries. Over time, this can lead to serious cardiovascular issues, including stroke and myocardial infarction (heart attack), which are among the leading causes of death in people with diabetes.

Non-Healing Wounds
Chronic high blood sugar also impairs the body’s ability to heal wounds. This is due to a combination of reduced blood flow, nerve damage, and poor immune function, which can increase the risk of infections. Non-healing wounds, especially on the feet, can escalate into severe infections, leading to amputations.

By addressing blood sugar imbalances early with tools like the Pre-Diabetic Profile, you can help prevent these complications and maintain a higher quality of life. The sooner you identify potential risks, the quicker you can take action to mitigate them, empowering your journey toward sustained health.

Why Choose the Riordan Clinic?

We take a holistic approach to wellness. At Riordan Clinic, we don’t just look at lab results—we look at the entire person. Blood sugar management is not just about numbers; it’s about how your lifestyle, diet, stress levels, and environmental factors all contribute to your health. We take the time to understand your unique health profile, empowering you to make decisions that are right for you.

Whether you’re just beginning to address blood sugar imbalances or you’ve been managing them for some time, we’re here to support you with personalized strategies, ongoing education, and a compassionate approach.

Taking Action: The Path Forward

With the knowledge you gain from the Pre-Diabetic Profile, the next step is creating a health plan that works for you. Current co-learners can have their providers order the test for them and will receive actionable feedback based on their results. Non-co-learners have the option to order the test independently but will need to schedule an appointment and become a patient to receive provider feedback. 

Take control of your health today. By addressing blood sugar regulation early, you can prevent serious complications down the road and unlock your body’s full potential for healing. The journey toward better health starts with understanding your unique needs—and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

To learn more about becoming a Co-Learner, the Pre-Diabetic Profile or to schedule your test, visit us at Riordan Clinic and begin the journey toward empowered health today.