Let’s talk a bit about diabetes

As a Naturopath a lot of my questions during a consultation are for monitoring blood glucose regulation.  This is part of a Naturopath’s holistic approach, I look into all areas/systems of the body during consulations. This is why our consulations are long and not just 5 mins to only discuss one sign or symptom.  I cover all areas as needed.

I ask questions to look for diabetes and pre-diabetes signs in patients of ALL ages including the children.  Even if blood tests are coming back in the normal range I am still looking for signs in everyone so that this can be addressed before it gets too far along.

How is it possible to detect with blood tests?

Put simply I don’t just look at blood glucose and wait for it to go out of reference range, I also look at Insulin levels and levels of other molecules that are produced with insulin in the pancreas.  When I look into how much of the other molecule is actually being produced then I can get a better understanding of how much insulin is being produced.

This information helps me in different ways. 

• For Type 1 diabetes - If there isn’t enough of this molecule being produced then there isn’t enough insulin being produced and this is an indication of Type 1 diabetes and insulin is required. If there is a diagnosis of Type 1 then this blood test is usually requested and is valuable to see.  It is also helpful to see that the pancreas may still actually be producing insulin and that a herbal formula may be used to help the beta cells in the pancreas regrow therefore increasing the production of more insulin.  Scientific studies have been conducted to investigate this area and have shown its potential for use in this area. This is great news for patients with Type 1 diabetes.
• For Type 2 diabetes – we can assess if too much insulin is being produced. This can be conducted with the above mentioned test looking into how much of other molecule that is being produced with insulin but also with a formula that can be calculated focusing on the insulin levels and the blood glucose levels.  This calculation lets us know if too much insulin is being produced and there is actually a metabolic issue called insulin resistance.  This is usually what occurs just before the blood glucose levels go through the roof and the diagnosis comes in with type 2 diabetes.  It’s always good to get this in check BEFORE it happens instead of waiting for it to happen because it will.

This is just one section of the Naturopathic investigation when it comes to Diabetes.

Hopefully it gives you a bit more insight into the benefits of seeing a Naturopath.

Even if you already have diabetes I can still help. Everday I am helping patients reduce blood sugar, reduce insulin resistance, reduce blood pressure and help in many other areas.

When it comes to pre-diabetes it is important to begin working on making improvements prior to blood tests going out of reference range and medication then being required.

I can help.

Who am I?

I am a Bachelor qualified Naturopath who specialises in improving metabolic processes in the body. Major areas for improvement include gut, thyroid, kidney, skin and liver health. Conditions such as hypothyroidism, fatty liver, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, & irritable bowel conditions. I help my patients by giving them symptomatic relief while working on repairing the underlying causes of metabolic stress and waste accumulation. Patients experience amazing results which are seen in their blood tests with improved thyroid markers, cholesterol, and liver markers.  As well as lower blood pressure and see relief from improved gastrointestinal symptoms like the ones that mean you need to know where every single toilet is before you leave the house.

Melissa Callaghan ND, BHSc, BTeach
Clinical Naturopath

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