FMP Essentials: Functional Medicine Practitioner Show

Postpartum Depletion Explained | Dr. Lauren Davis on Hormones, Fatigue & Breastfeeding Health


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Are you—or your patients—still feeling drained months after giving birth?
In this FMP Essentials episode, Dr. Yousef Elyaman sits down with Dr. Lauren Davis, DO — a double-board-certified family physician and osteopathic neuromuscular medicine expert — to reveal the root-cause science behind postpartum depletion and how functional medicine can restore energy, hormone balance, and gut health — safely, even while breastfeeding.

Why This Matters

Most postpartum visits focus on depression screening alone.
But nutrient loss, hormone imbalance, mitochondrial fatigue, and gut disruption often go untreated — leaving moms depleted and exhausted.
Functional medicine gives clinicians a clear, evidence-based framework to correct these hidden imbalances and bring vitality back.

What You’ll Learn
  • What postpartum depletion really means (and why it’s missing from standard care)
  • Key labs: RBC Magnesium, Ferritin + Iron Panel, Vitamin D + K2, Thyroid + Cortisol Mapping
  • How to replete nutrients while preserving milk supply
  • The link between mitochondria, cell danger response, and chronic fatigue
  • Lactation-safe gut repair: probiotics, IgG/colostrum, glutamine, and food-first strategies
  • Hormone hygiene — cortisol / thyroid / estrogen resets through circadian and stress balance
  • Clinical Insights
    • Up to 40 % of moms skip the 6-week postpartum visit — early fatigue goes unnoticed.
    • RBC magnesium testing exposes “normal” labs that hide deficiency.
    • Pairing Vitamin D 6,400 IU/day + K2 supports both mother and infant.
    • Heal the gut ➜ balance hormones ➜ improve milk flow and detox capacity.
    • Practitioner Takeaways
      • Think beyond depression — screen for nutrient & mitochondrial deficits.
      • Replete the Big Five: Iron, Magnesium, Vitamin D + K2, Iodine, Trace Minerals.
      • Use 4-point Cortisol/Thyroid testing for accurate rhythm mapping.
      • Restore mitochondria with nutrient and stress-response coupling.
      • Educate patients — healing is biochemical + behavioral.
      • Shareable Quotes

        “Postpartum depletion is real — and fixable — when you treat the root causes, not just the mood.”
        “Normal labs don’t always mean normal energy — look at RBC magnesium.”
        “Heal the gut, free the detox pathways, and milk supply often follows.”

        Guest Bio

        Dr. Lauren Davis, DO
        Board-Certified in Family Medicine & Osteopathic Neuromuscular Medicine.
        Founder of Latched Nourished Thriving and advocate for lactation-friendly functional care.
        Moderator for Dr. MILK (Physicians supporting breastfeeding).
        Instagram → @laurendavisdo

        Host:

        Dr. Yousef Elyaman | Functional Medicine Primary Care Physician | Founder of FMP Essentials

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        🔗 https://www.fmpessentials.com/mastermind-founders-launch
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        Connect with Us

        Dr. Lauren Davis – LatchedNourishedThriving.com | @laurendavisdo
        Dr. Yousef Elyaman – @drelyaman
        FMP Essentials – @fmpessentialshq | https://www.FMPessentials.com/

        Sponsors

        FMP Essentials — Education & Mentorship for Functional Medicine Practitioners

        Disclaimers

        This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
        Listening does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.
        Any supplement or therapy mentioned is not FDA-approved to treat or cure disease.
        Practitioners must use their professional judgment.
        The hosts and guests assume no liability for misuse or misinterpretation.


        Music Credit: “Heroes Approaching – Extended” by tunes2go

         

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        FMP Essentials: Functional Medicine Practitioner ShowBy Dr. Yousef Elyaman