Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — glucose metabolism

A fasting insulin test helps identify early signs of insulin resistance, often before blood sugar levels become abnormal. By measuring insulin after an overnight fast, it provides valuable insight into metabolic health, energy balance, and long-term risks such as diabetes and heart disease. Easy at-home testing with a simple finger-prick sample allows you to understand your insulin levels clearly and take proactive steps to protect your health.

Title: Understanding CardioMetabolic Risk – A Silent Threat We Can’t Ignore The rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity, and type 2 diabetes (DM2) is one of the most pressing health concerns of our time. CVD remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Alarmingly, obesity and insulin resistance—precursors to DM2—significantly increase the risk of developing CVD. Yet, these conditions are largely preventable with early detection and lifestyle changes. So, how can we spot the danger before it's too late? What is CardioMetabolic Risk? Cardiometabolic risk refers to a cluster of modifiable risk factors...

Insulin resistance is a growing metabolic concern linked to type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Learn how to recognise the key symptoms, discover how dried blood spot testing offers a convenient at-home diagnostic option, and explore effective treatment strategies to restore insulin sensitivity.

When a patient with PCOS or weight issues is told “your blood sugar is normal,” the story is far from over. In this clinical article, Dr. Alison McAllister of ZRT Laboratory explains why insulin — not glucose — is the primary driver of PCOS symptoms, weight gain, testosterone and DHEAS excess, and cortisol dysfunction. Understanding the progression from insulin resistance to hyperinsulinemia to type 2 diabetes is essential for identifying and treating PCOS at the earliest possible stage.

Perimenopause is far more than a reproductive transition — it is fundamentally neurological. As oestradiol declines, the brain’s bioenergetic system becomes compromised, neurotransmitter balance shifts, and the thermoneutral zone narrows, giving rise to hot flashes, mood instability, memory changes and sleep disruption. This article explores the neuroscience behind the menopausal transition and why hormone replacement therapy — timed correctly — may be the most effective intervention.