Blood sugar imbalance?

You have asked-how do I even know if I have blood sugar issues?

SIGNS of Blood Sugar Imbalance

1. Darkened skin along the jawline or neck. This darkening of the skin is called acanthosis nigra and occurs due to elevated insulin levels present with elevated blood sugar. It can also be found in areas of the body with creases such as the armpits or under the breasts.

2. Extra abdominal fat, especially in the upper abdomen is a classic sign of blood sugar disturbance. Trunkal fat can include fat on the back, chest sides of the waist and shoulder blade areas.

3. Base of the neck fat pad. Like belly fat, the base of the neck fat is very specific to elevated blood sugar and is a kind of fat that tends to be very inflammatory.

4. Enlarged breasts for men. Elevated blood sugar in men stimulates activity of an enzyme that shifts testosterone to estrogen which then promotes growth of breast tissue.

SYMPTOMS of Blood Sugar Imbalance

1. Fatigue. Feeling tired is a hallmark symptom of blood sugar imbalance and particularly so when it occurs after eating. If it’s bad enough that you can’t hold your eyes open after you eat that is a sure sign of dysregulation of your insulin which normally lowers your blood sugar.

2. Cravings. Especially for sweets and especially after you eat. Another strong sign of poorly regulated blood sugar.

3. Feeling super charged after eating. As much as we think that our food should give us energy it actually should do nothing but satisfy hunger and maintain the energy you already have. That supercharged feeling after eating can a be a symptom of low blood sugar prior to eating. (I’m not counting the effect of caffeine here).

4. Poor focus or attention. When you notice that you can’t continue to focus on what you are doing especially when it involves listening to someone, this can be a classic sign of falling blood sugar. Irritability, depression or frustration can accompany this.

5. Low to no appetite for breakfast. Another hallmark symptom of elevated blood sugar.
And there you have it-a few classic signs and symptoms!