The Biology of Hot Flashes and Their Connection to A1C
Hot flashes aren’t random.
They’re your body’s way of saying your temperature regulation system is struggling to stay balanced.
That thermostat lives in your hypothalamus, a part of the brain that constantly monitors temperature, stress, hormones, and glucose. When estrogen declines during perimenopause or menopause, the hypothalamus becomes more sensitive to small changes in core temperature.
A small rise in temperature from stress, a warm room, or even digestion can trigger a false alarm.
Your brain thinks you are overheating and responds by widening blood vessels, increasing heart rate, and producing sweat to cool you down.
But here’s the deeper layer most people miss.
The same systems that control temperature stability also help regulate blood sugar stability.
How They Connect
Estrogen and insulin share signaling pathways. When estrogen drops, insulin sensitivity drops too.
Cortisol rises in response to these fluctuations, increasing blood sugar.
The hypothalamus senses that instability and triggers stress-related heat responses.
Over time, higher cortisol and lower estrogen mean less glucose control, more hot flashes, and rising A1C.
So those hot flashes are not just hormonal.
They are also metabolic.
They often appear alongside other signs of insulin resistance such as midsection weight gain, sugar cravings, sleep disruption, and afternoon energy crashes.
How to Regain Stability
Build muscle – it buffers both blood sugar and temperature swings.
Balance meals – pair protein and fiber to reduce post-meal glucose spikes.
Support recovery – quality sleep lowers cortisol and stabilizes the hypothalamus.
Hydrate and replenish electrolytes – dehydration amplifies temperature changes.
Hot flashes are your body’s feedback, not failure.
When you understand how your hormones and metabolism communicate, you can calm both the heat and the chaos.
Ready to bring your body back into balance?
Reach out for a complimentary session and let’s talk through your specific symptoms, hormones, and goals.
You can reply directly to this email (uche@rehyahealth.com) or send me a DM on TikTok (@ucheonyex) to get started.
