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.

In this episode of Ditching Diabetes, Stephanie opens up about her own Function Health lab results and explains why three nutrient markers matter for blood sugar, inflammation, and long-term metabolic health: homocysteine, omega-3 index, and vitamin D. She breaks down what these labs mean in plain English, why standard lab panels often miss them, and what listeners can ask their provider about if they are managing prediabetes, diabetes, insulin resistance, or inflammation.

Most people leave their annual physical with two blood sugar numbers and zero real answers. In this episode — Part 1 of a three-part deep dive into my 80+ Function Health lab results — I'm covering the four markers that paint a complete metabolic picture: A1C, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and cortisol. One of these is almost never ordered by a standard doctor. One is controlled more by stress than by food. And together, they can reveal what's really happening in your metabolism years before anything shows up as a diagnosis. Let's get into it.

The episode discusses microvascular damage and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the context of type 2 diabetes. It explores the impact of high blood sugar on the body's blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys, and heart, and provides three strategies to slow down AGE accumulation. The host shares a personal story about her father's experience with diabetes complications, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and lifestyle changes.

Takeaways

• Microvascular damage and AGE accumulation are key factors in the development of diabetes complications.
• Maintaining stable blood sugar levels, reducing dietary AGEs, and regular exercise are effective strategies to slow down AGE accumulation and prevent complications.

Chapters

• 00:00 Strategies to Slow Down AGE Accumulation

Not everyone has the same carb tolerance — so why are we all following the same carb counts? In this episode, we're breaking down what a carb threshold actually is, why it matters especially if you have diabetes or insulin resistance, and how to figure out YOUR personal carb limit. No guessing, no one-size-fits-all advice — just a simple, practical way to dial in what works for your body. Tune in and finally stop wondering how many carbs are too many.

PCOS is often treated as a hormone or fertility issue — but that approach misses the real driver behind most symptoms. In this episode, we break down the link between PCOS and insulin resistance, explain why birth control and “hormone balancing” fall short, and what actually improves PCOS long term. If you struggle with weight gain, irregular cycles, acne, or fatigue, this episode explains what’s really happening — and where to focus instead.

In this episode, Stephanie sits down with the creator of Shotsy, the GLP-1 tracking app designed to help users stay consistent with medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound.

We talk about why Shotsy was created, how tracking your injections and symptoms can improve results, and what thousands of users are teaching us about weight loss, safety, and long-term success on GLP-1s.

You’ll learn:
• How tracking builds consistency and accountability
• What most GLP-1 users struggle with
• The features inside Shotsy that make the biggest difference
• How to pair tracking with your provider’s guidance
• What’s coming next for the app

If you’re using GLP-1 medications or supporting someone who is, this episode gives you practical tools and real insight to make the journey easier and safer.

Download Shotsy wherever you get your apps and start tracking your GLP-1 journey today.

Struggling to lose weight or manage your blood sugar no matter what you eat? It might be insulin resistance — the hidden root cause of type 2 diabetes. In this episode of The Ditching Diabetes w the Diabetes Maven Podcast, Stephanie breaks down what insulin resistance really is, how it develops, and simple, science-backed steps to reverse it naturally. Learn how your body responds to food, stress, and hormones — and what you can do today to start improving your insulin sensitivity and reclaim your energy.