Metabolic health, insulin resistance and menopause

Metabolic health describes how well your body manages blood sugar, blood fats and blood pressure. Around menopause, many women gain fat around the waist, which is linked to insulin resistance and higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors — including a large waist, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides and low HDL — that together raise this risk.

Insulin resistance and prediabetes

With insulin resistance, the body's cells don't respond well to insulin, so blood sugar can rise. Prediabetes often has no symptoms. Physical activity, healthy eating and modest weight loss can lower the chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

Useful checks

• A1C or fasting glucose.
• Lipid panel.
• Blood pressure.
• Waist measurement.

When to talk with a healthcare professional

• You have risk factors such as family history of diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy, or a large waist, and haven't been tested.
• You want help with a realistic plan for activity, nutrition or weight.

How Dot can help

Dot helps you track daily habits and symptoms and notice patterns over time. Dot does not diagnose or prescribe; for clinical care, Kindr Care connects you with licensed clinicians.

How Dot works · Kindr Care clinical care

Related topics

• A1C test
• Lipid panel (cholesterol)
• Heart health
• Muscle & strength
• Weight & body changes

Sources

1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH). Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes.
2. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH). Metabolic Syndrome.
3. American Heart Association. Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention. Circulation 2020;142:e506–e532 (2020).

This page is educational and not medical advice. Dot does not diagnose or prescribe. See our editorial policy.