The Truth About Muscle and Menopause: What Every Woman Needs to Know About the Science Data
The Flipping 50 Show
Other Episodes You Might Like: Previous Episode - Next Episode - 5 Ways to Measure & Improve Your Menopause Fitness At Home Right Now More Like This - Resources: Join the to learn why timing matters and why what works for others is not working for you. Use to measure what matters with easy at-home self-assessment test you can do in minutes. Don’t know where to start? Book your . Leave this session with insight into exactly what to do right now to make small changes, smart decisions about your exercise time and energy. Scrolling through social media, it can be a...
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Riding Tandem: One Couple, One Mission, One Bike From Mexico to Alaska
The Flipping 50 Show
Other Episodes You Might Like: Previous Episode - Next Episode - The Truth About Muscle and Menopause: What Every Woman Needs to Know About the Science Data More Like This - Resources: Join the for your best start, restart or reset in or after menopause with 10 Days of coaching, short workouts, and clarity on how to exercise optimally. helps you step out of routine, challenge your body and mindset, and rediscover how you want to live midlife—supported by fitness, hormones, nutrition, and women just like you. Date night for this couple is riding tandem on a bike...
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From Your Mouth to Your Gut: Hearing Health Whisper
The Flipping 50 Show
Did you know hidden infections may start from your mouth to your gut? What’s happening in your mouth could be the missing link behind your fatigue, hormone changes, or stubborn gut issues. My Guest: Dr. Michelle Jorgensen is a former traditional dentist turned holistic health pioneer, who helps exhausted, health-conscious people finally feel like themselves again—by starting where health actually begins: your cells. She’s the founder of Living Well with Dr. Michelle and author of the upcoming book by the same name, which reveals how to decode your symptoms and give your body...
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3 Steps to Improve Cardio Fitness and Longevity (at any age)
The Flipping 50 Show
If you’re interested in boosting your cardiovascular fitness, I’ve got three steps for you to do. Your cardiovascular fitness - VO2 max - is the most powerful predictor of longevity. Together with your lower body strength, they will tell the story of your future. What is VO2 max? Oxygen consumed in milliliters per kilogram per minute. Strongest predictor of longevity, alongside lower body strength. VO2 Max and muscle mass peaks typically at age 25, with studies suggesting an average annual reduction of about 1% after. Increasing your VO2 max can significantly...
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80 Lb Perimenopausal Weight Loss After Corporate Burnout
The Flipping 50 Show
Perimenopausal weight loss may seem daunting to some. We hear so much more about perimenopausal weight gain and weight loss resistance. If you’ve learned diets don’t work the hard way, you’ll identify with my guest. What you may not realize is why the diet isn’t working. A whole food, healthy diet will often work for most. But it won’t work if that isn’t the problem. My guest in this episode overcame a stressful corporate existence, and thanks in part to the pandemic, was able to leave that and 80 lbs behind. Here is how she achieved her 80lb perimenopausal weight loss in...
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Muscle Mass and Strength Gains After Menopause How Much How Fast?
The Flipping 50 Show
If you’ve ever doubted your ability to make muscle mass and strength gains after menopause, this episode is for you. It’s not too late to gain strength and lean muscle mass can be gained at any age—even after 85. Based on a 2024 Study on Resistance Training in Older Adults by Int. Journal of Sports Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, here’s what happened and the results: Participants: 17 adults aged 65–75. 12 adults aged 85+. Program: Duration: 12 weeks, 3x per week Structure: Warm-up 4 lower body sets 3 upper body exercises (2 sets each) Stretching ...
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Aging with Power, (Without an Outage) with Vonda Wright
The Flipping 50 Show
We dive into the true science and strategy behind aging with power. We’re busting myths about menopause, metabolism, and muscle, bone and talking strategy for women over 40 who want strength without burnout. Know how to prevent the physical “outages” that so often follow menopause, injury, or hormonal upheaval. Reclaim control without burning out!! If you’re ready to redefine what aging looks and feels like, this conversation is your roadmap to aging with power—and joy. My Guest: Dr. Vonda Wright is a double-board certified orthopedic surgeon and...
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Acute vs Chronic Stress Effects on Cortisol in Menopause and Beyond
The Flipping 50 Show
There is no escaping stress but cortisol in menopause changes. With that, your stress response to nearly everything may change. You don’t feel it at first but then there’s unexplained weight gain or belly fat. There’s less focus or concentration than you used to have. It shows up in different ways for each of us. My Guest: Sara Banta is a Certified Dietary Supplement Professional and member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals, helping people take their health into their own hands using cutting-edge natural supplements, DNA-driven nutrition, and real...
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The New Menopause Therapy: Confessions of a Femme Fatale
The Flipping 50 Show
This new menopause therapy is like stand-up comedy for hot flashes. My guest in this episode uses humor and truth to bridge the gap between women’s health then, now and the future. Her message is for all women on how to address the gaps in awareness about menopause. If you’re a health and wellness pro you’ll want to listen to this, the new menopause therapy. My Guest: Satori Shakoor is a dynamic storyteller, performer, and social entrepreneur, known for founding the award-winning The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers®. Her career began as a background singer with...
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Running vs Walking for Fast Fat Loss in Menopause
The Flipping 50 Show
Fast fat loss in menopause is not really the goal. Let’s be realistic and say this right out of the gate. Fast fat loss is a myth. You may, however, drop inflammation fairly quickly with the right type of exercise. Part 1: The Fat Burning Fundamentals Let's start with the basics. When we talk about fat burning during exercise, we need to understand two key concepts: Percentage of Fat Used for Fuel Total Calories Burned Here's something surprising: At rest, we burn about 85% fat for fuel. Your body is already a fat-burning machine when you're sitting on the...
info_outlineIn this episode I’m sharing my recent lab test, 23 lab tests in menopause, to be exact. I’ll share why so many, how often, what I’ll learn from them. If you’re at a loss for what to order or really, what you need and want a doctor to run this will help.
Connecting the dots is not always easy! Though I ran almost all of these as a part of writing You Still Got It, Girl! Almost a decade ago, by ordering self-directed labs and doing the research to interpret them and take actions to either follow up with a physician or to consider dietary, exercise, and natural solutions that would improve results, I recommend you utilize a physician who’s willing to and not threatened by your desire to learn more about the what, why and when for these tests.
You know how you feel and what’s right for you. Hopefully you’re not settling for less than feeling great. Signs that you’re not doing okay, in spite of your efforts include unexplained weight gain, inability to lose it, feeling lethargic/tired either on a regular basis or after exercise. Add to that insomnia, dizziness, brain fog, gut issues, and so many more.
Having a basic understanding of the tests, that often are not ordered by Western trained docs, and why you want them, may help you be a detective and an advocate for your own health.
Recent Lab Tests in Menopause
Fasting Glucose
Fasting levels above 125 are indicative of diabetes. Those 100-125 indicate prediabetes. Knowing this is helpful for monitoring your habits.
A continuous blood glucose monitor can be a fantastic tool for you. https://www.flippingfifty.com/myglucose
Fasting Insulin
Metabolism issues or weight loss resistance are good reasons to check fasting insulin (beyond just fasting glucose). Insulin resistance can promote additional weight gain.
A1C
This number can indicate how well controlled sugar levels have been over the past 3 months and also can indicate a prediabetic or diabetic condition.
Serum Ferritin
Reliable indicator of body’s iron stores. Low or very high ferritin may have a condition that results in fatigue.
Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy
This is important for energy and gaining muscle, particularly fast twitch muscle, as well as energy. Falling into “norms” is under optimal levels so this one can be important for women in midlife and beyond to know.
Uric acid
Optimal levels may support antioxidant activity but too high can be linked to oxidative stress.
Vitamin A
Concentrations of uric acid and vitamin A are closely associated. This test may be used to indicate a reason why uric acid levels are high.
CRP
A major marker of inflammation. Risk of disease increases significantly with high CRP.
A Fasting Lipid Panel
Looking at cholesterol, LDL, HDL and the total/HDL ratio can tell you what’s happening in your body. It might be genetic, lifestyle or also occurring during menopause as the body generates more cholesterol to attempt to produce hormones.
Free Testosterone
This is the testosterone immediately available. Can support weight loss and improve memory and strength.
Testosterone
Elevated testosterone can lead to hair growth, acne, moodiness. But too low can lead to difficulty gaining muscle and bone density.
DHEA-S
Your precursor to the sex hormones and also an indicator of adrenal function.
Variety of Lab Tests in Menopause
Estradiol
Check for optimal levels for some women, confirming they’re in menopause and for others like me doing hormone replacement, that hormone levels are optimized.
Estrone
The estrogen product after menopause.
Progesterone
Can lower post menopause and make sleep and relaxing harder.
Thyroid Hormone Tests
TSH
Released by your brain to signal your thyroid gland. It can be used to monitor dosing of your thyroid medication or as a screening test for the presence of thyroid disease.
Free T4
The thyroid makes predominately T4. Free T4 is what your body uses to make the active thyroid hormone called free T3. These are advanced biomarker tests, not routinely done, but very helpful to determine if the thyroid can be affecting how you feel.
Free T3
Symptoms (constipation, weight gain, tiredness, low libido) of low thyroid may be missed (passed off as normal or something else) unless the active thyroid hormone (free T3) is measured. High levels may indicate hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include fatigue, anxiety, sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, irritability, more frequent bowel movements, difficulty sleeping, sweating and tremors. Free T3 is an advanced screening biomarker that helps screen routinely missed thyroid issues.
TPA (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies)
Thyroid disease has become very common and we can often pick up inflammation in the thyroid years before the thyroid fails. This is important because natural interventions may help reverse the inflammation of the thyroid gland.
TA (Thyroglobulin Antibodies)
This test can be positive in people with inflammation of the thyroid gland, and it can be seen years before complete thyroid failure – giving you time to take action!
Reverse T 3
Reverse T3 is the storage form of the active thyroid hormone. Many conditions can cause you to store thyroid instead of use it as active free T3. If your reverse T3 is high then you may need to address the reasons why.
Broader Selection of Lab Tests in Menopause
**FSH (**Follicle-stimulating hormone)
Levels of this hormone indicate phases of hormones including puberty, reproduction and menopause. Levels rise significantly after menopause. ****This test can be helpful for someone who isn’t sure what’s happening or wants to confirm levels are dropping.
**SHBG **(**Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
SHBG is used to keep excessive free estrogen out of the blood stream, looking at these levels can help identify if hormone control health habits can improve your overall health. Sex hormone binding globulin is a protein mainly produced by the liver, and studies show that diets high in simple sugars cause the liver to produce less SHBG. Low levels of SHBG are seen in obesity, prediabetes, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Other Tests
Total Cortisol
Early morning cortisol screen for adrenal gland function.
4 Sample Saliva Test
Measures throughout the day to get a more accurate picture of your stress hormone pattern.
ACTH Stimulation Test
Administered by a physician to test response
Omega 3 and 3/6 Index
For muscle and joint aches and pains, and brain health, knowing your omega 3 and 6 index can help you improve overall health and decrease inflammation.
Food Sensitivity Testing
Depending on which level of comprehensive test you do, you can test for 90 common food sensitivities (or more) and learn what is low, moderate, and highly sensitive for you. Avoiding moderate and higher food sensitivities for 3 months while also taking extra care of your gut can help reduce symptoms of gas, bloating, or other digestive issues stemming from leaky gut situation. Adding probiotics, glutamine, oregano oil and foods known to support gut bacteria can all help improve the gut before attempting to reintroduce.
GI-Map
For gut issues that aren’t resolved with dietary changes, scores will tell you your gut bacteria levels and which may be out of balance so you can choose very specific probiotics to help rebalance, as you avoid foods that show moderate and high on your sensitivity results.
Other Episodes You Might Like:
When Exercise & Diet Aren’t Working: Which Lab Tests Should I Get?:
https://www.flippingfifty.com/which-lab-tests/
Adrenal Fatigue Talk with the Hip Hop Energy Doc, Tricia Pingel:
https://www.flippingfifty.com/adrenal-fatigue-talk/
Is a Food Sensitivity Getting in the Way of Your Fitness After 50?
https://www.flippingfifty.com/is-a-food-sensitivity-getting-in-the-way-of-your-fitness-after-50/
Resources:
**Link to Ultimate Assessment: https://www.flippingfifty.com/store**
https://www.flippingfifty.com/store/coaching-programs/private-coaching-90-min/