The Strength in Hormones Podcast

Episode 128: Micronutrients, Probiotics & Prenatals for Fertility & Pregnancy w/ Ayla Barmer, Fullwell Fertility

Micronutrients, Probiotics & Prenatals for Fertility & Pregnancyw/ Ayla Barmer, Fullwell Fertility
In this episode, I sit down with Ayla Barmer, registered dietitian and founder of FullWell Fertility, to break down what the research actually says about micronutrients, probiotics, and prenatals for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum health.
Despite the growing prenatal market, many supplements still miss the mark when it comes to evidence-based dosing, bioavailable nutrient forms, and individualized needs. We cover the most misunderstood and controversial topics in prenatal nutrition, including folate vs. folic acid, the role of methylated forms, and why blanket fear around vitamin A may be contributing to widespread deficiency and downstream thyroid, immune, and fertility issues. We also dive into why iron and omega-3s are often excluded from prenatals, how iron needs change across each trimester, and how to determine whether supplementation is necessary based on labs—not assumptions.
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Why many prenatals don’t align with the evidence on nutrient forms or dosing
Modern drivers of nutrient depletion—even with a “healthy” diet
Folate vs. methylfolate vs. folic acid: what matters most in pregnancy
The truth about vitamin A in pregnancy and why avoidance may backfire
Why iron and omega-3s are often intentionally excluded from prenatals
How iron needs shift across pregnancy and how to assess the right dose
What really matters for DHA and EPA for mom and baby
How to evaluate probiotics and support the microbiome intelligently
Important show links 👇👇👇
Apply to work with us 1:1 for pre-conception, pregnancy & postpartum support at functionalfueling.com/coaching-page
Visit Fullwell and shop pretnatals online - use code FullWell20 for up to 36% off your first order
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Episode 127: [The LOdown] Low T3 With Normal TSH: How Energy Availability Impacts Thyroid Function

Low T3 With Normal TSH: How Energy Availability Impacts Thyroid Function
If your TSH looks “normal” but you still feel exhausted, with irregular cycles and slowed metabolism, this episode will help you understand what standard testing often misses.
In this episode, we break down energy availability—the balance between the energy you take in and the energy your body expends—and why it is one of the most overlooked drivers of thyroid dysfunction, particularly low T3, the active thyroid hormone that actually controls metabolism, energy, and the menstrual cycle.
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
What T3 (active thyroid hormone) actually controls in the body
How you can have normal TSH and T4 but still feel exhausted
The connection between low energy availability and suppressed T3
Key variables that push the body into metabolic conservation mode
Why adequate nutrition is essential for T4 → T3 conversion
Hormones that inhibit thyroid function under stress or low fuel states
Common signs and symptoms of low T3
Why thyroid medication alone often falls short
How fueling, timing, and safety signals support thyroid and hormone restoration
If you are an active woman, athlete, or high-performing individual struggling with fatigue, stubborn symptoms, or “normal” TSH levels that don’t match how you feel, this episode will give you a new framework for understanding—and supporting—your thyroid from the inside out.
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Find out if you may be experiencing low T3 levels - Take our t3 quiz
Uncover the labs that influence T3 levels - Get my Thyroid Inflammation Lab Decoder Guide
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Episode 126: [The LODown] Is Your Low Progesterone Actually a Thyroid Issue?

[The LODown] Is Your Low Progesterone Actually a Thyroid Issue?
Low progesterone is one of the most common hormone concerns I see—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we unpack why low progesterone is rarely a true progesterone deficiency and is far more often a downstream signal of poor ovulation quality driven by low T3, metabolic stress, or thyroid autoimmunity.
You’ll learn why progesterone is best understood as a marker of ovulation strength—not something the body simply “fails to make”—and how thyroid hormone, mitochondrial energy, inflammation, blood sugar, and nervous system safety all determine whether ovulation (and the corpus luteum) can function properly.
We also dive into why luteal phase defect is frequently misdiagnosed as PCOS, how Hashimoto’s can quietly disrupt ovulation even with normal cycles, and why progesterone supplementation alone often fails to fix the problem.
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Why progesterone reflects ovulation quality—not ovarian failure
The thyroid–progesterone axis and how low T3 weakens ovulation and the corpus luteum
How stress, cortisol, and reverse T3 put metabolic “brakes” on progesterone production
The overlooked role of thyroid autoimmunity in low progesterone, short luteal phases, and miscarriage risk
Luteal phase defect vs. PCOS: how to tell the difference 
What labs actually matter for identifying thyroid-driven low progesterone (and how to time them correctly)
Why progesterone supplementation is sometimes helpful—but rarely a root-cause solution
Treatment priorities that restore ovulation by fixing thyroid conversion, metabolism, and immune stress 
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Take my free T3 QUIZ to find out if low t3 could be driving your low progesterone levels
Episode Period Problems: PCOS vs. Amenorrhea  
Book your 1:1 Functional Clarity Session www.functionalfueling.com/clarity-sessions
Get discount with inito using code functionalfueling15
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Episode 125: Liver & Kidney Stagnation: The Connection to Stress, Fertility, Sleep & More with Dr. David Allen

Liver & Kidney Stagnation: The Connection to Stress, Fertility, Sleep & More with Dr. David Allen
Struggling with 1–3am wakeups, stress sensitivity, or chronic fatigue? This episode uncovers how liver and kidney stagnation quietly disrupt stress resiliency, fertility, sleep and more. Learn the signs of stagnation, why stress tolerance drops over time, how chronic stress drains fertility and thyroid function, why detox protocols backfire when you’re depleted, and the breath-and-pause technique that stops an overwhelm spiral instantly.
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Signs of liver and kidney stagnation and how they show up in your hormones, energy, skin, and mood
How these organs shape resilience, fertility, longevity, and your daily stress response
What waking up between 1–3am reveals about liver stress, emotional overload, and blood sugar
How chronic stress drains ovarian function, thyroid output, adrenal capacity, and overall vitality
Why your stress tolerance keeps dropping—and the steps to rebuild it
A breath-and-pause technique you can use anytime to stop a stress, anger, or overwhelm spiral
Why detoxification protocols often backfire when the body’s core systems are stagnant or depleted
How digestion weakens with age, impacting nutrient absorption, hormones, and detox pathways
The role of the mind–body connection in accelerating recovery and healing
Important show links 👇👇👇
Download Our Functional Holiday Recipe Guide
Shop our Formulas and save 20% (discount code in holiday guide)
Learn more about Dr. David Allen's Healthy Kids Acupuncture & Herbs practice at www.davidallenlac.com
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Episode 124: Your Guide to a Hormone Healthy Thanksgiving

Your Guide to a Hormone Healthy Thanksgiving
In this episode I chat with my right hand gal, Romana Brennan. Romana is our other functional medicine registered dietitian here at Functional Fueling. In this episode we provide our best holiday survival tips, sharing with you how we navigate the holiday season, and what to do and what not to do to make this your healthiest year yet. You can find all of the practical strategies we discuss in this episode in this year's Holiday Guide here.
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Our top traditional Thanksgiving recipe swaps
How to beat constipation and bloating with travel and holiday meals
Navigating conversations around your eating decisions at meals
How to set yourself up for success before Holiday meals with a step-by-step game plan for a morning and evening Holiday party
Our favorite supplements for digestion around Holiday meals
How to navigate alcohol - whats a safe amount, how to prep before and after for success. Healthier wine and drink alternatives.
Strategies to support your circadian rhythm during the Holiday season
How to manage time and financial stress with nutrition changes
Important show links 👇👇👇
Download our FREE FUNCTIONAL HOLIDAY RECIPE GUIDE
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LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST EPISODE! 🔊
Watch us in the studio on Youtube!

Episode 123: Your Guide to Correcting Insulin Resistance

Your Guide to Correcting Insulin Resistance
If you're struggling with fatigue, stubborn weight gain, or irregular cycles, insulin resistance could be at the root. Insulin Resistance affects far more than just blood sugar. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know to identify, understand, and correct insulin resistance.
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
How to spot insulin resistance and confirm it with the right labs
Common symptoms you might be overlooking
The connection between insulin resistance, PCOS, thyroid health, and fertility
Why the “just cut carbs and exercise more” approach doesn’t work
Nutrient deficiencies that can worsen insulin resistance
How mitochondrial health impacts energy, metabolism, and blood sugar
Hormone shifts in perimenopause and menopause and their effect on insulin sensitivity
Practical strategies for using carbs, fats, and exercise to improve insulin function
Which labs to track and the optimal ranges for monitoring your progress
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Find out if you're experiencing insulin resistance with our Blood Sugar Hormone Testing Package
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Episode 122: Case Study: How She Resolved Her Acne, Chronic Bloating & Got Pregnant with Ease

Case Study: How She Resolved Her Acne, Chronic Bloating & Got Pregnant with Ease
In this episode, I share a powerful case study of a client struggling with bloating, acne, low cortisol, and low progesterone — symptoms that had left her feeling hopeless after working with multiple practitioners.
We take a deep dive into what was actually going on behind the scenes, including:
Brain-to-ovary communication imbalances
Gut microbiome and digestive juice issues
Mold, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors
Elevated blood sugar response from “healthy” meals
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
Adrenal and nervous system dysregulation
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
I walk you through how we addressed each of these root causes to help her finally feel balanced, energized, and — most importantly — get pregnant with ease.
Whether you’ve been struggling with persistent gut or hormone issues, or just want to understand the power of root-cause healing, this episode breaks down the exact systems we targeted and why a surface-level approach isn’t enough.
Important show links 👇👇👇
Get your hormones tested- learn more about our hormone testing packages
Work with us 1:1 for root cause healing - $300 off through 10/25/25
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Episode 121: Behind the Scenes of My Career Path: Your Questions Answered

Behind the Scenes of My Career Path: Your Questions Answered
This is a long overdue podcast episode that you have been asking for, for YEARS!In this episode, I answer the questions I get most often about my career journey, how I built my practice, and the trainings that shaped my approach.You can also find more specifics on this over at functionalfueling.com/about. I hope this episode helps guide you on your career path!A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇• How a functional nutrition undergrad & grad school program gave me a systems-first lens that guides my work today• Lessons from working as a sports dietitian in sports medicine and athlete performance, including interpreting labs, supporting menstrual health, and integrating sports medicine into nutrition practice• How my passion in functional nutrition shifted 5 years in and why I made the transition from sports to internal medicine and how this shaped my philosophy and helped me spot advanced hormone patterns in chronic disease populations• How I use performance data—exercise information, nervous system function, and other sports medicine lab metrics—to identify what truly moves the needle for women of all activity levels• The story behind building Functional Fueling®, some of the advanced trainings I’ve completed, and simple advice for starting a private practice• How I apply systems biology in practice, connecting hormones with other body systems and sequencing care for effective results
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Join my 3 Part Hormone Testing Workshop Series (Clinicians Only) to learn how to spot advanced hormone patterns, analyzing labs and functional nutrition and supplement support: Register Here
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Episode 120: How I Started Solids and What Feeding Looks Like Now

How I Started Solids and What Feeding Looks Like Now
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
How I introduced solids and open-cup drinking: what I prioritized and what I skipped
Green juices for babies: safe bases & what I avoid
The baby products & pantry staples I reach for on repeat & brands we actually use
The key nutrients babies need from 6–24 months & simple ways we cover them
How I prevent constant snacking and build balanced plates
Allergen and grain strategy: why I’m cautious with early grains and how I’m lowering future allergy risk
Low-tox swaps for babies: how I’m cutting down microplastics & endocrine disruptors
Important show links 👇👇👇 
Paleo Jerky discount code 
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Episode 119: [The LOdown] Why You Can't Stay Asleep, What Your Hormones Have to do with it (And How to Fix It)

[The LOdown] Why You Can't Stay Asleep, What Your Hormones Have to do with it (And How to Fix It)
Do you find yourself waking up at 2 or 3 a.m., staring at the ceiling, wondering why you can’t stay asleep? In this week’s episode of The Strength in Hormones Podcast, I dive into the root causes of nighttime waking and what your hormones—like progesterone, thyroid, and cortisol—have to do with it.
You’ll learn why sleep disruptions often flare during certain phases of your cycle, how thyroid function impacts your ability to stay asleep, and practical strategies to finally get deeper, more restorative rest. 
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
00:00 Introduction to Sleep Disturbances04:00 Understanding Sleep Data and Quality10:41 Hormonal Influences on Sleep15:58 Cortisol and Blood Sugar Dynamics with Sleep19:47 Stress and Sleep Quality with Practical Solutions23:01 Testing for Hormonal Imbalances Driving Sleep Disturbances
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Listen to mentioned episode: The Vagus Nerve Solution to Inflammation with Dr. Habib
Get your hormones tested with our DUTCH test, learn more about our hormone testing packages 
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