020: The test your doctor never orders

026: Your Blood Sugar Is "Normal." But Is It Really?

Connect with me: If your doctor has ever told you your blood sugar is normal and you walked out still feeling off, this episode is going to explain why. I'm Stephanie, a nurse practitioner and type 2 diabetes coach who lowered my own A1C from 8.1 to 5.4, and I want you to understand what your numbers actually mean, not just whether they fall inside a standard reference range. In this episode I'm breaking down the full picture: fasting blood sugar, post-meal spikes, and A1C together. Because looking at just one number in isolation is exactly how early blood sugar problems get missed for years. You deserve to know what optimal looks like, not just what's technically "not diabetic yet." In this episode: * What fasting blood sugar, post-meal glucose, and A1C actually measure * The difference between a "normal" lab result and a truly healthy number * The blood sugar patterns that signal a problem long before a diagnosis * What I look for in my own patients' labs and why it matters Join the Ditching Diabetes community: https://www.skool.com/diabetesmaven/about [https://www.skool.com/diabetesmaven/about] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diabetes_maven?igsh=eGx6MWlzeGVoYXA2&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/diabetes_maven?igsh=eGx6MWlzeGVoYXA2&utm_source=qr] Newsletter:https://diabetes-maven.kit.com/thesweetspot [https://diabetes-maven.kit.com/thesweetspot] Listen on Spotify/Apple: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gMqgLwPqnCEW6umlWhwHX?si=nvNBYNFpQWWlP0HJRNMIug [https://open.spotify.com/show/6gMqgLwPqnCEW6umlWhwHX?si=nvNBYNFpQWWlP0HJRNMIug] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ditching-diabetes-with-diabetes-maven/id1824314901 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ditching-diabetes-with-diabetes-maven/id1824314901]

025: What GLP-1 Does to Your Blood Sugar

If you're on a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Wegovy, or you're thinking about starting one, this episode is going to give you what your doctor's appointment probably didn't. I'm Stephanie, a nurse practitioner and type 2 diabetes coach who lowered my own A1C from 8.1 to 5.4, and I want you to actually understand what's happening in your body when you take these medications. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how GLP-1 medications work to lower blood sugar, what that means for your A1C, and why the medication alone is only part of the picture. Whether you're already on a GLP-1 or still deciding if it's right for you, this episode gives you the clinical clarity you deserve. In this episode: * How GLP-1 medications lower blood sugar at the cellular level * What to expect for your A1C on a GLP-1 * Why blood sugar control still requires more than just the medication * What I tell my own patients before they start

024: What Nobody Tells You About Reversing Type 2 Diabetes

The standard advice keeps most women stuck. I'm Stephanie, a nurse practitioner who lowered my own A1C from 8.1 to 5.4, and in this episode I'm sharing what actually moves the needle on blood sugar control and A1C reversal. If you're done just "managing" type 2 diabetes, start here.

023:Newly Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes? What To Do First

Just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and feeling overwhelmed? In this episode of Ditching Diabetes, Stephanie, a nurse practitioner, type 2 diabetes coach, mom of six, and someone who lowered her own A1C from 8.1 to 5.4, walks you through what to do first. We talk about what type 2 diabetes actually means, which numbers matter, how to start checking your blood sugar without spiraling, what to eat for breakfast, why a 10-minute walk after meals helps, and why medication is not a personal failure. If your doctor told you to “eat better and move more” but did not give you an actual plan, this episode will help you take the first step without losing your mind. Inside this episode: * What type 2 diabetes means in plain English * What A1C tells you and what it does not * Why breakfast is the best place to start * How to check blood sugar without using it to shame yourself * What to ask your provider after diagnosis * Why medication can be a tool, not a failure Want help putting this into practice? Join Stephanie’s Skool community for real-life blood sugar strategy, food support, labs, habits, and diabetes education without the shame. The link is in the show notes.

022: Your Blood Sugar Is Hurting Your Heart

If you have type 2 diabetes, your heart is already in this conversation. Most women don't find out until something scary happens. I don't want that for you. In this final installment of the lab series, I'm walking you through the cardiac markers that actually matter, what your numbers mean, and the supplements I use personally and recommend to my patients. We're talking hs-CRP, Lp(a), ApoB, homocysteine, fasting insulin, and exactly what to do with all of it. Your doctor has 15 minutes. I've got more than that. Let's use it.