Episode #29: Type Two Diabetes and PCOS
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure and privacy policy.
What you’ll learn in this episode
Type two diabetes has become such a common disease. Earlier this year in January 2022 statistics indicated that 37.3 million Americans—about 1 in 10—have diabetes.
While this disease is common in what often appear to be otherwise healthy individuals I want to take a closer look at what diabetes is in this episode. PCOS puts women at high risk of type two diabetes in fact many women that I meet have already been diagnosed with pre-diabetic or diabetes even in their 20s and 30s.
So what is diabetes and how does it impact the body? Well, my friend that is exactly what this episode is about.
Welcome back to the PCOS repair podcast where today we’re going to dive a little deeper into the insulin effect root cause of PCOS and type two diabetes as well as how you can decrease your risk of developing it.
PCOS, Insulin, and Diabetes
Insulin can be confusing, so let’s start with insulin and the spectrum of healthy to the diseased state of type two diabetes.
The spectrum has four stages:
- Healthy insulin receptors that are responsive to insulin and easily allow blood sugar to enter your body’s cells. AND insulin levels are routinely at an appropriately low number.
- The body has higher than normal levels of insulin circulating the body on a continual basis due to diet and lifestyle or the beginnings of insulin resistance.
- Insulin resistance and Prediabetes: This is the point where your lab values are beginning to be or clearly elevated but haven’t quite reached the diabetic level.
- Then comes the official diagnosis of Type Two Diabetes: over time this creates blood vessel complications leading to a risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attack, vision decline, and even blindness, kidney failure or nerve damage, and more.
You can see that though common this disease of type two diabetes isn’t something you want to have.
Reduce The Risk of Type Two Diabetes
While type two diabetes is something that every human is at risk of developing if they don’t follow lifestyle measures to prevent it, women with PCOS are at a higher risk of developing type two diabetes at an earlier age.
That is why this episode is important to me! I know most of you are already aware of this increased risk of type two diabetes and some of you have already been diagnosed with it. This episode is not about creating fear instead, it’s about bringing something scary into the light and discussing what we can do to improve our health and PCOS symptoms no matter where we are currently on that spectrum of insulin and diabetes.
So if you are ready to reduce your risk of type two diabetes go ahead and listen to this episode now.
Resources & References Mentioned in this episode
Take the PCOS Root cause quiz to learn what your body needs to heal
Results are not guaranteed. Please see Medical Disclaimer for more detail.
Similar Podcasts You Will Enjoy
Episode #180: Why PCOS Symptoms Rarely Show Up Alone
If you’ve ever wondered why PCOS symptoms like bloating, fatigue, acne, or mood swings seem to pile on all at once, this episode will help you make sense of it all. In this insightful conversation, you’ll learn why your symptoms rarely show up in isolation and how recognizing clusters of symptoms can reveal powerful insights into your root causes. From cycle irregularity and inflammation to cravings and anxiety, your body is constantly communicating—and in this episode, you’ll discover how to finally start listening. You’ll walk away with a new lens for decoding your symptoms, identifying patterns, and finding clarity on what your body truly needs to heal. Don’t forget to take the free PCOS Root Cause Quiz linked in the show notes to start mapping your own symptom patterns.
Episode #179: Why “Doing All the Right Things” Still Doesn’t Fix PCOS
If you’ve followed the plans, taken the supplements, cut the carbs, tracked your labs, and still aren’t seeing progress, you’re not alone. In this episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll discover why doing “all the right things” doesn’t always lead to healing, and why the problem isn’t your effort, it’s the approach. You’ll learn why generic advice often falls short for women with PCOS, how symptoms like fatigue, weight fluctuations, and inflammation are actually adaptive signals, not signs of failure,and why listening to your body with clarity and curiosity is the key to real results. If you’re feeling discouraged despite your dedication, this conversation will help you reconnect with your body, rebuild your confidence, and finally understand what your symptoms are trying to tell you.
Episode #178: Why PCOS Symptoms Aren’t Random (And What They’re Actually Telling You)
In this eye-opening episode of the PCOS Repair Podcast, you’ll discover how to reframe the frustrating symptoms of PCOS, irregular cycles, fatigue, inflammation, and more, as valuable messages from your body, not random or broken disruptions. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still not seeing results, this conversation will help you make sense of those patterns. By diving into the hormonal communication network behind your symptoms, including insulin, cortisol, and reproductive hormones, you’ll learn how to decode what your body is truly asking for. You’ll explore why common “healthy” strategies like calorie cutting or intense workouts can actually backfire, and how to shift toward a healing path that supports your unique root causes.
PCOS FERTILITY MEAL GUIDE
What I changed to finally get pregnant after almost 2 years of trying.
What the heck to eat to boost PCOS fertility
It’s not a one size fits all
Sample Meal Plan Included
Plan and Prep Guide Included
Go beyond diet & nourish your hormones to boost fertility
I share the steps I followed in this FREE MEAL GUIDE.
About the Show
Welcome to The PCOS Repair Podcast!
I’m Ashlene Korcek, and each week I’ll be sharing the latest findings on PCOS and how to make practical health changes to your lifestyle to repair your PCOS at the root cause.
If you’re struggling with PCOS, know that you’re not alone. In fact, it’s estimated that one in ten women have PCOS. But the good news is that there is a lot we can do to manage our symptoms and live healthy, happy lives.
So whether you’re looking for tips on nutrition, exercise, supplements, or mental health, you’ll find it all here on The PCOS Repair Podcast. Ready to get started? Hit subscribe now
