If you’re a woman in midlife and just got lab results showing thyroid issues and a rising A1C, this episode is a must-read. Whether you’re premenopausal or postmenopausal, it’s more common than you think—and far too often misunderstood by conventional care.

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You're doing everything "right"—eating well, exercising regularly, staying consistent. Then your blood work comes back and it knocks the wind out of you:

TSH is high

TPO antibodies are present

And your A1C is suddenly 5.9, 6.1… maybe even 6.4

This suggests you’re pre-diabetic—or worse—diabetic, even though your fasting blood glucose looks perfectly normal.

What gives?

Let’s break it down.

Thyroid hormones—especially T3—help your body move glucose out of your blood and into your cells. When your thyroid is sluggish, glucose lingers longer in the bloodstream, raising your A1C.

A1C is your 3-month blood sugar average, based on how much sugar sticks to your red blood cells.

Hypothyroidism slows red blood cell turnover, so they live longer and pick up more sugar.

This creates a falsely elevated A1C even if your actual blood sugar is low.

🔎 Example:

Low thyroid can impair insulin sensitivity in muscle and fat cells, meaning glucose doesn’t get cleared as easily, and more stays in circulation. Result? A higher A1C.

Your liver converts T4 to T3. A sluggish thyroid impairs this conversion and slows liver glucose regulation. The result is even more chaos in your blood sugar balance.

👉 High TPO antibodies = Hashimoto’s risk

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune thyroid condition, common in midlife women. Your body attacks its own thyroid tissue, often triggered by:

Gluten sensitivity

Gut permeability (leaky gut)

Stress and nutrient deficiencies

💡 Tip: Gluten-free is often essential for Hashimoto’s. Your immune system may attack gluten—and mistakenly attack your thyroid because the tissue looks similar.

🛑 BUT: If your glucose is normal (85–95) and your A1C is elevated, don’t panic yet.

Ask for these labs in your next blood panel:

Free T3

Free T4

TSH

TPO antibodies

A1C

Fasting insulin (not typically included—ask for it!)

Track your blood sugar using a CGM or monitor like Stelo

Support your thyroid and metabolism through:

Adequate protein intake

Smart resistance training

Healing your gut (especially if Hashimoto’s is present)

Key nutrients: Selenium, zinc, iodine, magnesium, vitamin D

Consider a functional medicine doctor or endocrinologist if your primary provider doesn’t address the thyroid–A1C connection.

I see this every single month—fit, responsible women being told they’re pre-diabetic without an accurate explanation.

This podcast—and my programs—are here to help educate, clarify, and empower. If this resonated with you, visit www.JLCstrong.com to:

✅ Explore my self-study programs

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