Is Your Sleep Sabotaging Your Hormones? What Every Patient in Fresno & the Bay Area Needs to Know
By Dr. Chhaya Makhija, Unified Endocrine & Diabetes Care
Sleep is more than just rest—it's a vital pillar of your hormonal and metabolic health. As an endocrinologist serving patients in the state of California in Fresno, Clovis, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Palo Alto, San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area, I see firsthand how sleep quality can make or break your journey to better health. If you’re struggling with unexplained fatigue, insulin resistance, low testosterone, stubborn weight gain, or high blood sugar, your sleep may be the missing piece.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain the critical connections between sleep and your endocrine system, share real-world insights from my practice, and outline what you can do to reclaim your health—starting tonight.
The Five Ways Sleep Impacts Your Hormones
1. Poor Sleep Lowers Testosterone
As I often emphasize, “Sleep and your endocrine system [are] absolutely interconnected.” Testosterone, a key hormone for both men and women, follows a natural circadian rhythm, peaking during deep sleep. “Number one is poor sleep can lead to low testosterone levels and this is so commonly seen.” If you suffer from untreated or undiagnosed sleep disorders—such as insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea—your testosterone levels can drop significantly. “Any form of sleep disorder which is not treated or which is undiagnosed will impact the testosterone levels because testosterone follows a circadian rhythm—that is, there are peaks and troughs depending on a sleep cycle and a wake cycle.” Testosterone is regulated by hormones released from the pituitary and hypothalamus in the brain. Poor sleep and conditions like untreated sleep apnea can impact this signaling and lead to lower or reduced testosterone levels, called secondary hypogonadism.
2. Sleep Disruption Raises Blood Sugar
Disturbed sleep doesn’t just leave you groggy; it can also cause your fasting blood glucose levels to rise. “Number two is that poor sleep can lead to high blood glucose levels, especially high fasting blood glucose levels, and overnight, if the sleep is disturbed, the threshold of the blood glucose is higher.” When your sleep is fragmented, your body’s ability to regulate glucose overnight is impaired, increasing your risk for diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This is especially true for patients with sleep apnea, who often see their blood sugar improve dramatically once their sleep disorder is treated.
3. Elevated Cortisol from Poor Sleep
Cortisol, your body’s main stress hormone, also follows a circadian rhythm. “Number three is a mild elevation in the cortisol levels. Now cortisol also follows a circadian rhythm so if the sleep is disturbed, OR if there is overnight snacking, OR if there are nightmares or if in females there are hot flashes, night sweats occurring middle of the night that impacts the sleep, it can lead to higher baseline cortisol levels during those hours or even in the early morning hours.” Elevated cortisol can further disrupt your sleep, creating a vicious cycle that’s hard to break without targeted intervention. This is different than pathological high cortisol that occurs with certain pituitary or adrenal tumors called Cushing’s syndrome or disease.
4. Chronic Fatigue That Won’t Go Away
If you’ve addressed other health issues but still feel persistently tired, don’t overlook your sleep. “Number four is chronic fatigue, so all other causes, root causes, have been addressed, but if the sleep is not addressed or if you haven't had a sleep study to rule out sleep apnea, that will lead to this lingering fatigue, which is still not resolved.” Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders are common but often missed causes of chronic fatigue. Many of my patients finally find relief after a sleep study leads to the right diagnosis and treatment.
5. Unexplained Weight Gain and Obesity
Weight gain is a frequent concern among my patients. “Number five is weight gain, obesity, so during my evaluation for patients with unexplained weight gain, other than looking at the entire endocrine evaluation, blood test as well as their physical examination and other medical conditions, I also assess their sleep and if needed a home sleep study or a referral to a specific sleep specialist is very, very essential as I diagnosed numerous patients with mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea leading to be the number one cause in their weight gain.” Addressing sleep issues—sometimes with a home sleep study or referral to a sleep specialist—can be the key to successful, sustainable weight management.
Why Patients in Fresno & the Bay Area Trust Unified Endocrine & Diabetes Care
As a triple board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Lifestyle Medicine, I founded Unified Endocrine & Diabetes Care to provide truly personalized, unrushed, and comprehensive care for patients throughout Central California and the Bay Area. My practice is the first direct-care endocrinology clinic in the region, integrating expert endocrine care with lifestyle medicine for a holistic approach to health.
What Sets Our Practice Apart?
In-Person Consultations:
I offer face-to-face visits at our conveniently located offices in Fresno, Clovis, Walnut Creek, and Lafayette. This allows patients from both the Central Valley and Bay Area—including nearby cities like Concord, Pleasant Hill, and Danville—to access high-quality endocrine care close to home.Telemedicine Across California:
For those who prefer the comfort of home, I provide telemedicine appointments statewide, ensuring you get expert guidance wherever you are.Long, Unrushed Visits:
Initial consultations last 60–90 minutes, with follow-ups of 30–45 minutes, so we can dive deep into your health concerns and develop a tailored plan.Direct Access:
Patients have direct phone, text, or email access to me for ongoing support—no more waiting weeks for answers.Whole Person Care:
Your care plan will address nutrition, physical activity, stress management, breathwork, and sleep—all critical for hormonal balance and metabolic health.Coordinated, Transparent Care:
I work closely with your other healthcare providers and offer transparent, membership-based pricing with no hidden fees.
What Patients Are Saying
“Dr. Makhija is great! She worries about the patient. She’s not only making sure that my diabetes numbers are within healthy range, but is also coordinating with my other doctors. I love all the food recipes she has sent me and I really enjoy my visits with her both in-person and online.”
“When one is the best – they simply are! If you want real medical care and not the typical thoughtless sheep care – care from regular providers – come here! You’ll be glad you did.”
How to Take Charge of Your Hormonal Health
“So it's very, very important to know that your sleep is essential part of your health, your good health and that should be addressed at your physician's visit, at your preventive visits and also included as a most important root cause to rule out when you're experiencing these symptoms.”
Steps You Can Take:
Track your sleep patterns and note any disruptions.
Ask your doctor about a sleep study if you have persistent fatigue or symptoms of sleep apnea.
Incorporate healthy sleep habits: consistent bedtime, limiting screens before bed, and creating a restful environment.
Address lifestyle factors—nutrition, exercise, stress—that also impact sleep and hormones.
Ready to Reclaim Your Health?
At Unified Endocrine & Diabetes Care, I am committed to helping you uncover the root causes of your symptoms and achieve lasting wellness through a personalized, holistic approach. Whether you’re in Fresno, Clovis, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, or a nearby Bay Area city, expert endocrine care is within reach.
Book your in-person or telemedicine consultation today and take the first step toward better sleep, balanced hormones, and vibrant health.
Serving Across the Bay Area & Central California
Dr. Makhija serves patients in Lafayette, California, and offers care throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and San Jose. Her personalized approach includes both in-person visits and telemedicine options.
Whether you're managing symptoms of perimenopause or unsure if you should transition off birth control, her hormone-focused care can guide you with clarity and compassion.
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Visit us in the East Bay
Our medical office is conveniently located in Lafayette, California, a beautiful and serene suburb in the East Bay. Known for its scenic Lafayette Reservoir, top-rated schools, and charming downtown with boutique cafes and restaurants, Lafayette offers a peaceful escape from the hustle of the Bay Area—making it the perfect setting to reset your health.
Just a short drive away, Walnut Creek combines natural beauty with vibrant city life. Home to world-class shopping, excellent dining, and the expansive open spaces of Mount Diablo State Park, Walnut Creek also serves as a major healthcare and business hub for professionals in Contra Costa County.