710. The Top 3 Imbalances I See On Hormone Tests
The Female Health Solution Podcast
Release Date: 03/12/2025
732. What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About Your Hormones
The Female Health Solution Podcast
You’ve been told, “Your labs look normal.” But you’re dragging through your days, snapping over nothing, wide awake at 2 a.m., and feeling like a stranger in your own body. So what's this really about? “Normal” isn’t the whole story. Most standard lab tests are designed to rule out disease. They’re not built to uncover the root cause of fatigue, hormone imbalances, anxiety, stubborn weight, or burnout. That’s why so many women are left thinking: “Something’s wrong, but no one can find it.” It’s not you. It’s your labs. Standard blood work often misses: cortisol...
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731. Why Your Labs Look Fine—But You Don’t Feel Fine
The Female Health Solution Podcast
If you're maintaining a healthy lifestyle—regular exercise, balanced nutrition, minimal alcohol—and still experiencing fatigue, weight fluctuations, digestive issues, and hormonal symptoms, you're not alone. This was Jenny's experience. After two years of persistent health challenges, she came to us as a last resort. She had already spent thousands of dollars on care that didn’t produce results. No comprehensive testing. No targeted interventions. Just more supplements and generic advice. Her case wasn’t unusual. What made the difference was data. Through our 1:1 program, Jenny...
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730. MTHFR: What It Is and Why It's Messing With Your Health
The Female Health Solution Podcast
Let’s talk about something that gets tossed around a lot in the world of women’s health — MTHFR. You might have heard it mentioned in conversations about fatigue, fertility struggles, anxiety, or detox issues… but what is it really? And how do you know if it’s affecting you? Let’s break it down together. 👉 So, What is MTHFR? MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (say that three times fast). It’s an enzyme your body uses to process folate (vitamin B9) and regulate something called homocysteine, an amino acid linked to heart health. But here’s where it gets even...
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729. What They Don’t Tell You: The Truth Behind Medical Product Inserts with Alexandra from Just The Inserts
The Female Health Solution Podcast
In this episode, I sat down with Alexandra from Just the Inserts for a conversation I’ve been dying to have for years. We talked about informed consent, what those tiny manufacturer inserts actually say, and why so much important information gets lost in our current healthcare system. Alexandra shares how her own experience as a new mom led her to dig deep into the data and turn complex, overlooked info into clear, empowering resources for women. We also unpack the business side of medicine, how it affects the care you receive, and why you have way more power in your healthcare choices than...
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728. Hair Loss, Poor Sleep, No Energy: What's Behind It All
The Female Health Solution Podcast
I need to tell you about Brenda. When she first came to me, she was done. Exhausted, burned out, frustrated. She felt like she was living in a body she didn’t recognize anymore — and no matter how “healthy” she tried to be, nothing was working. ✔️ Her hair was thinning. ✔️ Her weight was climbing. ✔️ She couldn’t sleep. ✔️ Her energy was nonexistent. ✔️ Her cycles were all over the place. And she kept thinking, “Maybe it’s just stress… maybe it’ll pass.” But it didn’t. What Brenda didn’t realize was that years of unaddressed hormone shifts — from...
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727. Why Am I So Tired? The Labs Every Woman Needs
The Female Health Solution Podcast
Being exhausted every day is not normal. Not the “I need a little nap” kind of tired. I’m talking about the kind of exhaustion where: You can’t do the grocery store + make dinner in the same day. Folding a load of laundry feels like climbing a mountain. You cancel plans (again) because you just can’t. And when you bring it up? You get told: “Maybe you’re just stressed.” “It's just getting older” "That's just part of being a woman. No. You are not crazy for feeling this way. And you deserve answers. Your energy levels are the result of so many pieces...
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726. Fatigue, Weight Gain & Mood Swings Out of Nowhere? Here’s What’s Really Going On
The Female Health Solution Podcast
Have you ever found yourself thinking: “I’m not doing anything different… but all of a sudden I’m exhausted, gaining weight, snapping at everyone, and feeling like a shell of myself. What is going on?!” If this sounds like you — please know you’re not crazy, and you’re definitely not alone. I hear this story from women all the time. ➡️ You’re eating well. ➡️ You’re moving your body. ➡️ You’re getting to bed on time. ➡️ And yet — you wake up drained. Mood swinging like crazy. Feeling disconnected from yourself and your people. And when you ask for help?...
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725. How to Break Cycles, Get Sober, and Reclaim Your Story with Dr. Samantha Harte
The Female Health Solution Podcast
As a physical therapist, Samantha spent years treating bodies in pain. But what she uncovered was that so many of her patients — high achievers, athletes, professionals — weren’t just dealing with physical symptoms. They were carrying deep emotional wounds: perfectionism, people-pleasing, addiction to productivity, and shame. And it wasn’t just in their heads. It was in their nervous systems. In her new book, Breaking the Circuit, she shares: ✨ Her personal journey through addiction recovery, grief, and self-forgiveness ✨ How trauma patterns live in the body and affect our health...
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724. Protein Pacing: The Simplest Way to Balance Your Hormones
The Female Health Solution Podcast
Let’s clear something up right now — if you’ve been feeling off with your hormones… whether it’s bloating, mood swings, poor sleep, stubborn weight, low energy, or unpredictable cycles… there’s one simple thing you might be overlooking: PROTEIN. I know, you’ve probably heard that protein’s important. But do you really know why it matters for your hormones? Most women don’t — and it’s costing them. 👉 Here’s how protein impacts your hormones at every level: ✨ Hormone Production: Your body literally builds hormones out of amino acids (the building blocks of...
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723. Burnout, Brain Fog, No Libido? It’s Not Just Stress...
The Female Health Solution Podcast
Let’s talk about burnout — the kind that makes you feel mentally fried, physically drained, and like even getting through your to-do list is a monumental task. Here’s the thing nobody tells you: burnout isn’t just “being stressed out.” It’s a physiological hormonal crisis happening in your body. By the time most women hit burnout, it’s not just about being tired. It’s about your adrenals, cortisol, dopamine, testosterone, and progesterone all taking a nosedive — and your body sending up all the flares. 👉 Ever felt like you’re dragging yourself through the day? 👉 No...
info_outlineIf there’s one thing you need to know about me, it’s that I love hormone testing. I’m talking about the DUTCH test - dried urine test that gives us a deep, behind-the-scenes look at what’s really going on with your hormones.
And let me tell you, after looking at hundreds of DUTCH test results, there are three big things I see again and again—things that could be the missing puzzle piece to why you’re feeling off. So let’s get into it!
1. 🚨 Stress is Running the Show (a.k.a. Cortisol Chaos)
Let’s get real: when was the last time you weren’t stressed? If you’re anything like the women I work with, your stress levels have been through the roof for years. Maybe you went through a tough divorce, had a high-pressure job, or just navigated the circus act of balancing work, family, and life (hello, cortisol rollercoaster!).
Your body doesn’t just forget stress. Even if life is good now, your nervous system might still be stuck in “fight or flight” mode. And when your cortisol is constantly high (or completely tanked from years of overdrive), you’ll feel it—fatigue, anxiety, gut issues, stubborn weight gain, the whole shebang.
💡 The fix? We can’t guess where your cortisol is—we have to test it. Then, we tailor the right strategy (because high cortisol and low cortisol need completely different approaches!).
2. 🚨 Estrogen is Stuck in a Traffic Jam
Maybe you’ve been told your estrogen levels are “normal,” but your periods say otherwise. Heavy bleeding, clots, painful ovulation, mood swings? Yeah, that’s not fine.
Here’s the deal: estrogen isn’t just about how much you have—it’s about how your body is processing it. DUTCH testing shows us whether estrogen is getting stuck in phase one, struggling in phase two, or just plain refusing to leave your system.
And the crazy part? You won’t see these imbalances on a standard blood test. That’s why so many women get dismissed when they know something’s off.
💡 The fix? Supporting your body’s natural detox pathways (like your liver and gut) and, if needed, using targeted herbs or nutrients to get estrogen moving the right way.
3. 🚨 Low Dopamine = No Motivation (and Zero Joy)
I have to admit something: when I saw my own DUTCH test results, my dopamine levels were in the toilet. And I didn’t even realize it—until I started fixing it.
Low dopamine doesn’t just mean feeling “a little off.” It’s waking up and dreading the day, losing interest in things you used to love, and craving constant stimulation (hello, endless Instagram scrolling). It’s looking at a Halloween store vampire coffin and thinking, Wow, that looks cozy (true story—red flag, right?).
💡 The fix? Dopamine isn’t just about supplements—it’s about lifestyle. More movement, more joy, more creativity, more connection. And sometimes, targeted nutrients to give your brain the extra push it needs.
If you’re struggling with fatigue, weight changes, mood swings, or just feeling off, it’s time to stop guessing. A DUTCH test gives you real answers, so you can take real action.
So tell me—do any of these red flags sound familiar? And if you’re ready to finally get to the root of your hormone struggles, let’s test your hormones: https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/