The Functional Fueling® Podcast

Energy Leaks: The 4 Root Causes of Thyroid and Hormone Disruption in Active Women

Energy Leaks: The 4 Root Causes of Thyroid and Hormone Disruption in Active Women
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
What “energy leaks” are 
Why hidden energy leaks may keep you feeling symptomatic despite healthy habits
How energy leaks impact thyroid function, the immune system, adrenal and sex hormones
The connection between mitochondria, energy leaks, and histamine
The most common energy leaks I see clinically
How identifying your energy leaks can change your healing approach
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Take my Find Your Energy Leaks Quiz to see if you have any energy leaks.
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Episode 144: Low Pregnenolone vs DHEA-S: The Hormones Before the Hormones

Low Pregnenolone vs DHEA-S: The Hormones Before the Hormones
In this episode, we’re diving into two of the most overlooked hormones in women’s health: pregnenolone and DHEA-S — the hormones before the hormones.
While estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone often get the spotlight, pregnenolone and DHEA play a foundational role in the hormone cascade and can significantly influence energy, metabolism, fertility, cycles, thyroid function and stress resilience. When these hormones become depleted or dysregulated, symptoms like fatigue, cycle irregularities, low libido, poor recovery, inflammation, brain fog, and hormone imbalances can follow.
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
What pregnenolone & DHEA do in your hormone cascade
Why they sit at the root of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone balance
What low pregnenolone or DHEA can mean, even with “normal” labs
How bottlenecks between pregnenolone & DHEA disrupt hormone balance
How stress shifts pregnenolone into downstream hormone pathways
How low DHEA impacts ovulation, cycles, and hormones
The link between energy, mitochondria, and pregnenolone and DHEA production
Why these hormones are often overlooked in standard testing and what that means for your results
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Learn more about adrenal hormones in this blog 
Learn more about my Mentorship Sessions & Course here 
Apply to our 1:1 coaching program
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Episode 143: Why Most Pregnancy Lab Work Falls Short (And What Women Actually Need)

Most pregnancy lab work is designed for the average non-pregnant person, not the rapidly changing physiology of pregnancy.
In this episode, we break down why standard lab testing often falls short during pregnancy and postpartum, and what that means for thyroid function, nutrient status, metabolism, and immune health. You’ll learn how trimester-specific lab ranges impact interpretation, which critical markers are commonly missed, and why relying on standard reference ranges can overlook meaningful changes.
We also cover the role of thyroid health in fertility, pregnancy, and fetal development, how autoimmunity influences pregnancy and postpartum outcomes, and why postpartum lab testing is essential for recovery, hormone balance, and long-term health of both mom and baby.
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Why standard pregnancy labs often miss key changes
How pregnancy affects thyroid, iron, glucose, and immune function
Why trimester-specific lab ranges and interpretation matter
Which important labs are often missing during pregnancy and postpartum
How thyroid health impacts fertility, pregnancy, and baby’s development
How autoimmunity can affect pregnancy and postpartum outcomes
Why postpartum testing is essential for recovery and hormone recovery
Important show links 👇👇👇
Follow Demetra Diagnostics on Instagram 
Apply to work with us 1:1 at functionalfueling.com/coaching-page
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Episode 142: The Molecule That Supports Blood Flow, Hormones, and Fertility with Dr. Bryan

The Molecule That Supports Blood Flow, Hormones, and Fertility with Dr. Bryan
In this episode, we dive into the powerful role of nitric oxide, a key signaling molecule that directly impacts blood flow, hormone delivery, thyroid function, and fertility with leading researcher Dr. Nathan Bryan.
We break down how nitric oxide supports circulation at the cellular level, why it’s essential for proper hormone signaling and tissue responsiveness, and how disruptions in nitric oxide production can contribute to fatigue, hormone imbalances, and fertility challenges. You’ll also learn how the oral microbiome, blood sugar regulation, and common exposures like mouthwash and antacids can influence nitric oxide levels and what you can do to support it naturally.
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
What nitric oxide is and why it matters more than most people realize
How nitric oxide affects circulation, hormones, thyroid function, and fertility
How nitric oxide impacts hormone delivery and signaling
The connection between the oral microbiome and nitric oxide production
How mouthwash, fluoride, antacids, and blood sugar can affect nitric oxide
Signs and symptoms that may point to low nitric oxide
Simple ways to support nitric oxide production naturally
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Learn more about Nitric Oxide and how it can benefit you.
Use code “functionalfueling10” to save 10% at this link to try the Dr. Nathan Bryan's nitric oxide products
Join our Strength in Hormones workout program
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Episode 141:Understanding Stimulatory Hormones: LH, FSH, TSH

Understanding Stimulatory Hormones: LH, FSH, TSH
In this episode, we break down the role of key stimulatory hormones—LH, FSH, and TSH—and how they influence ovulation, thyroid function, and overall hormonal function. You’ll learn how to interpret LH:FSH ratios (including patterns seen in PCOS), what low vs. high levels really indicate, and why timing your labs is critical for accurate insights. We also discuss the limitations of urine hormone testing and the essential labs to run alongside these markers to uncover root-cause imbalances and optimize fertility, cycles and metabolism.
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Why LH, FSH, and TSH are key hormone signals
What’s missing from urine hormone testing
When to test LH, FSH and TSH and why timing matters
What your LH:FSH ratio can reveal about patterns like PCOS
What low vs. high FSH and LH levels indicate
What labs you should always run alongside these hormones
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Apply to work 1:1 with us in our coaching program
Get my thyroid inflammation lab decoder guide
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Episode 140: My Morning Routine & Things I'm Loving (As a Functional RD + Mom)

My Morning Routine & Things I'm Loving (As a Functional RD + Mom)
In this episode I’m sharing a realistic look at how my morning routine has evolved after having a baby—what’s changed, what I’ve simplified, and what I’ve kept as non-negotiables to support my hormone health, workout recovery, and overall wellness. We’ll cover how I structure my mornings when sleep is unpredictable, how to stay consistent with habits without relying on perfection, and how to integrate things like strength training, Zone 2 cardio, and nourishing meals into a busy schedule. Whether you’re newly postpartum or simply looking to build a more sustainable, functional wellness routine, this episode will help you focus on what actually moves the needle.
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
How my morning routine has evolved postpartum and what it realistically looks like now
The biggest shifts I’ve made as a new mom to stay consistent with the most important habits
How I structure my mornings when sleep is unpredictable
Why I prioritize morning workouts and how I make them happen consistently
My current weekly workout split (strength, zone 2, and recovery days)
What my son and I eat for breakfast to support energy, blood sugar, and my workout recovery
My simple morning beauty routine and products I use
The role of simple routines vs. perfection in staying consistent
Important show links 👇👇👇
Take our Free Low T3 Quiz on our website  
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Episode 139: Microdosing Peptides for Chronic Illness with Jay Campbell

Microdosing Peptides for Chronic Illness with Jay Campbell
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
What peptides are and how they function in the body
What microdosing peptides means and how it differs from standard dosing
How microdosing GLP peptides may help in chronic illness
How peptides can influence metabolism, inflammation, and brain signaling
The foundations that must be in place before starting peptides
The difference between GLP-1, GLP-2, and GLP-3 peptides
How peptide stacking works and when it may be appropriate
Why hormone, thyroid, and metabolic health matter before starting peptides
What to know about peptide sourcing, quality, and safety
Important show links 👇👇👇
Visit JayCampbell.com and learn more hormone optimization, peptides, fat loss and fitness
Apply to work 1:1 with us in our coaching program 
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Episode 138: [The LOdown] Is Your Immune System Overactive… or Exhausted? Understanding Immune Modulation

[The LOdown] Is Your Immune System Overactive… or Exhausted? Understanding Immune Modulation
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
What immune modulation is and why the goal is to regulate, not suppress, the immune system
How autoimmune conditions develop when the immune system becomes stuck in a hyperactive state
How immune dysregulation can drive inflammation, histamine symptoms, and thyroid autoimmunity
The difference between hyperreactive and hyporeactive immune system patterns
Lab markers that help identify immune activation and immune suppression
Common triggers that disrupt immune regulation
How targeted therapies help restore healthy immune signaling
How immune modulation can improve symptoms and long-term health outcomes
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Listen to the micro-immunotherapy podcast episode 
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Episode 137: Prolactin: Understanding High Levels & Prolactinomas with Romana

Prolactin: Understanding High Levels & Prolactinomas with Romana
Prolactin is most commonly known as the hormone responsible for breast milk production during pregnancy and postpartum. However, elevated prolactin levels outside of pregnancy or breastfeeding—known as hyperprolactinemia—are far more common than many people realize and can significantly impact cycles, fertility, and thyroid function.
Together Romana and I explore the complex relationship between prolactin, dopamine signaling, thyroid function, and the reproductive hormones that regulate ovulation and menstrual cycles. We also discuss how chronic stress, inflammation, and underlying endocrine dysfunction can disrupt prolactin regulation.
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
What prolactin is, and when elevated levels are expected
Why prolactin may be elevated when you are not pregnant or breastfeeding
How elevated prolactin impacts ovulation, progesterone production, and cycle regularity
The relationship between prolactin, dopamine, and reproductive signaling
The relationship between thyroid function, stress and prolactin
When to suspect a prolactinoma, and which lab ranges matter
How prolactin influences immune function and inflammation
Treatment approaches for hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Listen to podcast episode on the role of leptin in thyroid and reproductive function
Apply to work 1:1 with us in our coaching program 
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Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app
 

Episode 136: [The LOdown] My Mold Remediation Story: Everything I Did, Used and How I Recovered

[The LOdown] My Mold Remediation Story: Everything I Did, Used and How I Recovered
In this solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my personal mold remediation experience (for the second time). I'm sharing signs that indicated mold, how I organized remediation to protect my family, how I'm recovering and all the tools and resources I used along the way.
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Early signs mold may be affecting your health
How my mold experiences shaped my personal and clinical perspective
The exact remediation steps I required to ensure proper mycotoxin containment
Air filtration, dehumidification, and ventilation strategies I implemented
What I discarded, cleaned, or replaced to prevent re-exposure
How and when I retested my home environment
What supported my recovery during and after remediation
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Order your at home mold test and get a discount with GotMold? Use code: laurenpapanos10
Get $100 off your AirDoctor air filter with this link
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