As the research flurry into recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) continues, new research has emerged around glucose metabolism and RPL – particularly regarding insulin resistance.
A recent study from the Vali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Centre in Tehran, Iran, has found that standard testing of fasting glucose was inadequate in identifying impaired glucose metabolism as a risk factor for RPL.
Instead, researchers found that insulin was the more reliable marker, as patients with RPL had significantly higher levels of fasting insulin than controls. The main hypothesis for this connection was that hyperinsulinemia decreased levels of glycodelin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1, which mediate the women’s immune response to implanted embryos and adhesion of blastocysts.
Given this connection, the study recommended going beyond fasting glucose testing to better understand the potential link between RPL and dysregulated sugar metabolism and insulin resistance.
I hope you have found this helpful, and do let me know if you have any questions!
If you are hungry for more evidence-based information for your fertility or pregnancy journey, visit www.myhealthypregnancyplan.com for free webinars and complete programs.
And if you are a care-provider looking for evidence-based resources for your fertility or pregnancy patients, please get in touch with us at support@myhealthypregnancyplan.com, or visit www.myhealthypregnancyplan.com/ce-courses-for-naturopathic-doctors.
In health,
Dr Jocelyn Land-Murphy, ND
Terra Life
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References:
Hantoushzadeh, S. et al. (2023). Glucose metabolism tests and recurrent pregnancy loss: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 15(3).