Ep 72: Beyond A1C: The Blood Sugar Labs You Need to Know About episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 24, 2026 · 18 MIN

Ep 72: Beyond A1C: The Blood Sugar Labs You Need to Know About

from Path to Better A1C: Diabetes Prevention, Blood Sugar Balance, Weight and Cravings Control Strategy · host Jenny Pena, NBC-HWC, DPP Lifestyle Coach, CIHC

Most people don't wake up one morning with type 2 diabetes. The metabolic dysfunction behind it has usually been brewing for 5, 10, even 15 years before diagnosis — and most of the labs that could catch it early aren't part of your standard annual physical.In this short prequel episode, Jenny breaks down the blood sugar labs every person should know about, whether or not diabetes runs in your family. You'll learn:What HbA1C actually measures, the conventional ranges, and why functional practitioners like to see it lower than most doctors doHow fasting glucose works and why it can look perfectly normal while your body is quietly compensatingWhy fasting insulin is the single most underused lab in conventional medicine — and how it can reveal insulin resistance 5 to 15 years before your glucose ever changesHow to ask your doctor for fasting insulin by name (and what to do with the HOMA-IR calculation when you have both numbers)Why your triglycerides and HDL often shift before your glucose does, and how the simple triglyceride-to-HDL ratio can tell you more about your metabolic health than total cholesterol ever willA sneak peek at next week's deep dive into functional labs — HTMA, continuous glucose monitors, organic acids testing, GI-MAP stool testing, and cortisol rhythm — with a special guest practitionerFREE Resources:📘Prediabetes Guide: https://subscribepage.io/starterguide🍽️Dinner, Solved – https://subscribepage.io/dinnersolved🗒️Snacks List: https://subscribepage.io/snacks FREE Clarity Call - https://calendly.com/coachjenp7/call🌐 https://www.jennypena.com📲 Instagram   / coachjenp  This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your health plan.

Most people don't wake up one morning with type 2 diabetes. The metabolic dysfunction behind it has usually been brewing for 5, 10, even 15 years before diagnosis — and most of the labs that could catch it early aren't part of your standard annual physical.In this short prequel episode, Jenny breaks down the blood sugar labs every person should know about, whether or not diabetes runs in your family. You'll learn:What HbA1C actually measures, the conventional ranges, and why functional practitioners like to see it lower than most doctors doHow fasting glucose works and why it can look perfectly normal while your body is quietly compensatingWhy fasting insulin is the single most underused lab in conventional medicine — and how it can reveal insulin resistance 5 to 15 years before your glucose ever changesHow to ask your doctor for fasting insulin by name (and what to do with the HOMA-IR calculation when you have both numbers)Why your triglycerides and HDL often shift before your glucose does, and how the simple triglyceride-to-HDL ratio can tell you more about your metabolic health than total cholesterol ever willA sneak peek at next week's deep dive into functional labs — HTMA, continuous glucose monitors, organic acids testing, GI-MAP stool testing, and cortisol rhythm — with a special guest practitionerFREE Resources:📘Prediabetes Guide: https://subscribepage.io/starterguide🍽️Dinner, Solved – https://subscribepage.io/dinnersolved🗒️Snacks List: https://subscribepage.io/snacks FREE Clarity Call - https://calendly.com/coachjenp7/call🌐 https://www.jennypena.com📲 Instagram   / coachjenp  This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your health plan.

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Ep 72: Beyond A1C: The Blood Sugar Labs You Need to Know About

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How long is this episode of Path to Better A1C: Diabetes Prevention, Blood Sugar Balance, Weight and Cravings Control Strategy?

This episode is 18 minutes long.

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This episode was published on April 24, 2026.

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Most people don't wake up one morning with type 2 diabetes. The metabolic dysfunction behind it has usually been brewing for 5, 10, even 15 years before diagnosis — and most of the labs that could catch it early aren't part of your standard annual...

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