The Hormone Solution | Menopause, Perimenopause, & Women's Midlife Health

1. Pam: 41 year old female with menopausal levels of progesterone but normal estrogen levels. Just started taking bioidentical progesterone. I haven't noticed much difference in quality of life yet. How long does it normally take to notice some positive changes? I'm still gaining about a pound a month without doing anything different to diet or exercise. Will the progesterone help with weight loss as well? Thank you for always putting helpful information out there!
2. I went to a herbalist and was told I have too much estrogen in my body but then was recommended estrogen supplements. Is there a such thing as bad (estrogen I have) and good estrogen (supplements)?
3. Hi Karen! I'm a 57 y/o post surgical menopause at age 36. I had saliva cortisol levels done and I'm low in the AM and high the other 3 x a day during the testing. I have Hashimotos that seems well controlled and RA. Really struggling with weight loss resistance. I started IF with a 16 hr fast/8 hr eating window about 2 wks ago, trying to get macros to 20 PRO / 70 FAT /10 CARBS. I'm concerned that the stress of this could make my cortisol worse or throw off my thyroid balance. I'd really appreciate your thoughts. I'm not sure if it would be better to do the DNA testing or repeat hormone testing (done a year ago… estrogen dominant) or just try the IF a while and see. Down 2# so far. Thank you for all you do!
4. Linda: Can fasting wreck my thyroid and hormones. I had a lot of success losing weight for 6 months then started gaining again, quickly.
5. Kim: Hi Karen! I found your podcast episode with Dr. Brownstein fascinating. I did go out and purchase the Lugol's iodine, but I only took it a couple times BECAUSE, shortly afterward, I heard Dr. Alan Christianson on The Ultimate Health Podcast. He warned against iodine supplementation and seems to believe that high dose iodine actually causes thyroid disease. I'm so confused and don't know what to think. Have you heard of these conflicting views? I won't be using the supplement until I get a clearer understanding, but I just wondered your thoughts. Thanks so much!
6. Yoyo: Hi Karen, I'm 59, what supplements are a must for my age?
7. Insta follower: I love your podcast! I found you via Paul Saladino. I'm trying to binge listen to them all. Can you please let me know if there's a specific ratio of estrogen to progesterone?
8. I'm in perimenopause (started at 37 but not diagnosed until just now at 40). I'm having symptoms of estrogen dominance (weight gain in hips, belly, HUGE BOOBS), fatigue, etc. Help!

Todays show is sponsored by LetsGetChecked.

Get 20% off your first kit (full thyroid panel and many more options) with LetsGetChecked.com with coupon code KAREN.

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Start your membership to the OnTrack group coaching program to help you balance your hormones and lose weight.

Take the Hormone Quiz and find out what is stopping you from losing weight.

Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist & Transformational Nutrition Coach and weight loss expert.

Visit https://karenmartel.com/

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Giovanna is a Functional Medicine Practitioner; trained in holistic functional nutrition, homeopathic medicine and health sciences as well as bioenergetic medicine. She is certified with the board of professional Holistic Nutritionists, CAHN-Pro and has been a teaching faculty member of both the Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine and the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. As co-founder of Blue Hive Health digital wellness centre, she continues to teach and see private clients, as well as run programs to support perimenopausal women achieve hormonal balance and vitality.

As a Professional Coach being certified in Mind-Body Therapy, she provides a truly holistic approach to personal development, health coaching and healing relationship trauma through her programs and her private sessions.

She is the author of Healthy Happy Hormones and the co-host of the Blue Hive Healthcast podcast.

In this episode

• Giovanna's story of weight loss and stages of her career
• How we are going through a second puberty in menopause
• Why stress and how we handle it changes as we transition to menopause
• Why we need to look at the spiritual side of menopause
• The power of the mind on our body and more!

Giovanna Capozza website

Start your membership to the OnTrack group coaching program to help you balance your hormones and lose weight.

Purchase your at home hormone test kit here.

Take the Hormone Quiz and find out what is stopping you from losing weight.

Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist & Transformational Nutrition Coach and weight loss expert.

Visit https://karenmartel.com/

Karen's Facebook

Get ready for a deep dive into the beauty & safety of estrogen with Dr. Felice Gersh

Dr. Gersh received her medical degree from the USC School of Medicine, and studied Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Kaiser Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Felice Gersh is a globally-recognized expert on women's hormones, gut microbiome, and circadian rhythm. She frequently collaborates with numerous research organizations and lectures internationally on women's health topics.

As Medical Director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, she focuses on understanding women's innate physical and emotional make-up. Through her research and practical experience, she has come to understand that women have internal, natural rhythms that are absolutely essential to female health. These rhythms are controlled by hormones, particularly estrogen, and may be kept in balance through both conventional and holistic treatments.

In this episode;

• Why Dr. Gersh went from classic OBGYN practice to being a functional doctor.

• Estrogen why does it have a bad rap?

• Hormonal contraceptives birth control versus natural estrogen

• Oral versus topical

• The truth about what really causes Estrogen dominance

• Estrogen and the immune system
• The role of estrogen in breast cancer
• What functions estrogen has in the female body
• What type of hormone replacement is the safest

and more!

Watch the video interview on our YouTube channel

Dr. Felice Gersh website

Start your membership to the OnTrack group coaching program to help you balance your hormones and lose weight.

Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist & Transformational Nutrition Coach and weight loss expert.

Visit https://karenmartel.com/

Karen's Facebook

This 2 part series is an in depth look into the world of heavy metals and the effects it has on our health.

In this episode

• My personal journey with heavy metal toxicity
• The main sources of heavy metals
• How they affect your hormones
• How they affect your weight
• How they affect the entire body
• The different tests available
• Chelating agents and how they work in the body
• Where to get more information and help on chelation
• and more!

Links discussed in the show:

The Importance of Detoxification with Dr. Pizzorno

Heavy Metals, Fasting & Diet Variation with Dr. Pompa (karenmartel.com)

Detoxing Heavy Metals to Lose Weight with Wendy Myers (karenmartel.com)

Hair Mineral Analysis Test

This show is sponsored by DNA Power Get $50 off your Total DNA kit when you use this link here and coupon code karenmartel!

Andy Cutler Facebook Group

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt

Mercury Chelation Group on OSR

Do you have a question for the next Q&A? Fill out this form.

CLAIM YOUR FREE BURN FAT FAST PROGRAM & A COUPON CODE TO GET YOUR FIRST MONTH FREE IN ONTRACK! ENTER NOW! Everyone wins!

This 2 part series is an in depth look into the world of heavy metals and the effects it has on our health.

In this episode

• My personal journey with heavy metal toxicity
• The main sources of heavy metals
• How they affect your hormones
• How they affect your weight
• How they affect the entire body
• The different tests available
• Chelating agents and how they work in the body
• Where to get more information and help on chelation
• and more!

Links discussed in the show:

The Importance of Detoxification with Dr. Pizzorno

Heavy Metals, Fasting & Diet Variation with Dr. Pompa (karenmartel.com)

Detoxing Heavy Metals to Lose Weight with Wendy Myers (karenmartel.com)

Hair Mineral Analysis Test

This show is sponsored by DNA Power Get $50 off your Total DNA kit when you use this link here and coupon code karenmartel!

Andy Cutler Facebook Group

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt

Mercury Chelation Group on OSR

CLAIM YOUR FREE BURN FAT FAST PROGRAM & A COUPON CODE TO GET YOUR FIRST MONTH FREE IN ONTRACK! ENTER NOW! Everyone wins!

Dr. Bonni Goldstein, is the Medical Director of Canna-Centers Wellness and Education, a California-based medical practice devoted to educating patients about the use of cannabis for serious and chronic medical conditions.

After years of working in the specialty of Pediatric Emergency medicine, she developed an interest in the science of medical cannabis after witnessing its beneficial effects in an ill friend. Over the last 13 years she has evaluated thousands of patients for use of medical cannabis and is recognized as an expert in the clinical application of cannabis therapeutics. She has a special interest in treating children with intractable epilepsy, autism, cancer and other conditions.

Her latest book, "Cannabis is Medicine: How Medical Cannabis and CBD are Healing Everything from Anxiety to Chronic Pain" was published in September 2020

In this episode;

• The history of marijuana use and safety -
• Understanding the endocannabinoid system inside your body -Endocannabinoid deficiency
• What is the point of the Endocannabinoid system in humans
• CBD for arthritis and anxiety and many more ailments - How to find your dose and know if it is for you or not

and more!

http://www.bonnigoldsteinmd.com/

Buy your hormone test kit here!

Take the Hormone Quiz and find out what is stopping you from losing weight.

Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist & Transformational Nutrition Coach and weight loss expert.

Visit https://karenmartel.com/

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Join for this information packed Q&A!

Helen

Is there any point having my blood test done when every cycle is different to the last? Symptom wise and sometimes length wise.

Lesa

I have been keto, carnivore and fasting with extended fast periodically for a year and a half with no weight loss. I am post menopausal and started HRT 6 months ago. I feel all of the thyroid symptoms but can't get anyone to listen. Thyroid labs look good except T3 is below optimal and RT3 is 30.1. I can't get into the endocrinologist for 6 months and fear he won't listen either. I feel in my heart pure T3 would get me on the way to healing and finally get my insulin down to be able to lose the 40 pounds that I gained in 4 months. I also have high ferritin that I read can keep insulin high.

Gail

Dr. Brownstein mentioned a specific type of iodine supplement to take. I'm currently working with my physician on my iodine levels and was wondering what the supplement was called/ what it included. If I remember correctly, he said you needed iodine and iodide in it?

Emma

I am 50 years old and for the most part feel pretty good despite the fact that I am in perimenopause. I am struggling with perimenopause weight gain, (gained 30 pounds since October) sleep. I am finally getting my hair to grow back in the front and my dry skin is getting better, my nails are healthy again. I eat as clean as possible. At this time, I can't afford to go see a functional doctor. So, I have been thinking of buying over the counter estrogen and progesterone bioidentical products. What would you recommend? Thank you for all the information you share with us!

Sara

Can a woman safely take a compounded bioidentical progesterone PILL? Is there a big difference between it vs cream?

Wondering how you feel about bioidentical progesterone in pill form. Is it as safe as cream

Gina

Thanks – I always find your podcasts very interesting and there was a single "nugget" which I would like to know more about….. I would like to know more about how a vision test can determine toxicity levels?

Lesa

Are there optimal numbers we should strive to hit for estrogen, testosterone and progesterone when taking HRT or a ratio between them so we know if they need adjusted to feel our best?

Milly

Hi Karen. Thank you for taking questions for your Saturday podcast. I'm a 46 y.o. who's really bothered by the uncertainty of when my period is coming. It seems I'm into my Perimenopause stage and my cycle could be 19 days one month and others 29, I recently had a record of 41 days! Is there anything we can do other than bio identical hormones to help having more predictable/regular cycles? Thanks!

Do you have a question for the next Q&A? Fill out this form.

CLAIM YOUR FREE BURN FAT FAST PROGRAM & A COUPON CODE TO GET YOUR FIRST MONTH FREE IN ONTRACK! ENTER NOW! Everyone wins!

Podcast discussed in show: How to Repair Metabolic Damage

Todays podcast is sponsored by Lugols Iodine order yours today!

Purchase the Iodine loading test here.

Purchase your at home Hormone Test Kits here.

Dr Brooke is a licensed naturopathic and functional medicine physician and women's hormone expert. She is the co-author of Hangry: 5 Simple Steps to Balance Your Hormones & Restore Your Joy and the host of the popular podcast the Dr Brooke Show. Dr Brooke specializes in PCOS, menopause, thyroid conditions, autoimmunity and various women's hormone issues. She helps her patients get to the root cause of their hormonal imbalances and get back to feeling better with targeted diet and lifestyle habits. She teaches women how to understand their own hormone talk so they can finally work with their bodies, metabolism and hormones instead of being in a constant fight with themselves.

You can find her at www.betterbydrbrooke.com

In this episode;

• Brookes past coming from that typical dieting world with PCOS.
• The importance of learning your hormone hierarchy.
• Why cortisol & inflammation can stop the function of other hormones.
• Why you need to advocate for yourself with your doctor when you feel that something is off in your body.
• Learn about Dr. Brooke's five pillars to "Living from these Five Pillars makes what you do with diet and exercise more effective." and more!

Start your membership to the OnTrack group coaching program to help you balance your hormones and lose weight.

Take the Hormone Quiz and find out what is stopping you from losing weight.

Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist & Transformational Nutrition Coach and weight loss expert.

Visit https://karenmartel.com/

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

Thyroid experts Karen Martel Certified Hormone Specialist and Dr. Amie Hornaman cohost this episode and go through the list of potential causes of hypothyroidism. Plus find out what tests you can do to help determine your root cause.

Todays show is sponsored by LetsGetChecked.

Get 20% off your first kit (full thyroid panel and many more options) with LetsGetChecked.com with coupon code KAREN.

Start your membership to the OnTrack group coaching program to help you balance your hormones and lose weight.

Take the Hormone Quiz and find out what is stopping you from losing weight.

Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist & Transformational Nutrition Coach and weight loss expert.

Visit https://karenmartel.com/

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

Annie Hopper has a global mission. To take the "mystery" out of "mysterious illness". Hopper explains how brain trauma can be at the very root of chronic illness and disease. Moreover, Hopper empowers people with the tools that they need to rewire their brain, transform their health and reclaim their lives. Hopper is in the business of what others would call "medical miracles." Hopper knows what its like to suffer from a mysterious illness that the medical system cannot diagnosis or effectively treat.

In 2004, while working as a busy counselor, newspaper columnist and talk show guest as an expert in Emotional Wellness, her health started to rapidly deteriorate. Mysterious symptoms like unexplainable insomnia, headaches, body aches and pains, chronic exhaustion and an increasing list of sensitivities ensued. Toxic overload was the eventual diagnosis.

But even after undergoing detoxification treatments and an extensive list of healing treatments from over thirty different practitioners, her symptoms continued to escalate. This was the beginning of what can only be described as a type of science fiction nightmare.

After almost 4 years of suffering that eventually led to homelessness, Hopper deduced that a toxic brain trauma was most likely at the root of her suffering. Hopper went on to creatively rewire the neural circuits in her brain that had been altered due to toxic trauma and the symptoms of illness eventually dissipated.

In 2008, Hopper founded The Dynamic Neural Retraining System, a drug free, neuroplasticity-based healing approach to rewire chronic illness disease patterns in the brain as seen in Chemical Sensitivities, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and many other chronic illnesses.

Annie Hopper has lectured throughout North America and abroad, educating both patients and doctors alike about the connection between environmental toxins, brain trauma and physical health.

https://retrainingthebrain.com/

Todays show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Use this link to get 10% off your first month.

Start your membership to the OnTrack group coaching program to help you balance your hormones and lose weight.

Take the Hormone Quiz and find out what is stopping you from losing weight.

Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist & Transformational Nutrition Coach and weight loss expert.

Visit https://karenmartel.com/