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Her Son Slept All Day – Mom Believes Digging In Early Spared Him Losing His Sight
“I knew something was off... He went from so much energy and life in him to just really a lot more sleeping... Dr. B didn't just brush me off. He dug deep to find it, found the source, and we changed the trajectory of his life.” When a 12-year-old boy suddenly becomes overwhelmingly lethargic, it is easy to write it off as just normal teenage hormonal changes or growing pains. However, mother's intuition often knows when a symptom points to something much deeper. In this episode of The Deeper Healing Podcast, host Danielle Howley sits down with Jennifer, a mother who trusted her intuition when her son, Ham, experienced a dramatic drop in his energy. Jennifer shares how a comprehensive functional blood panel at Deeper Healing—which tested far beyond standard pediatric markers—revealed that Ham's prolactin levels were completely off the charts. This led to the unexpected discovery of a macro prolactinoma, a large tumor pressing against his pituitary gland and optic nerve. Jennifer details their stressful journey navigating conventional medicine, including a two-year stall with standard medications and the terrifying prospect of high-risk brain surgery. She then shares the turning point in Ham's recovery experience: returning to Dr. Michael Bauerschmidt for a tailored functional approach using IV Curcumin, high-dose Vitamin C, and intranasal laser activation. Today, Ham is a thriving 18-year-old college golfer. This episode explores the life-saving potential of thorough diagnostic testing, the power of patient advocacy, and why no parent should ignore their intuition. This episode is shared to offer personal perspectives and information—not as medical advice. Resources & Calls to Action: Take the First Step Toward Deeper Healing Learn more at DeeperHealing.com Wondering about your own body burden? Take the free quiz Support patients in need: The Deeper Healing Foundation Watch the documentary: Body Burden: The Toxins We Carry — Featuring Deeper Healing Free MD Guidebook: A Guide to Living Well in Toxic Times Mold Recovery Course Follow Us Instagram YouTube Facebook TikTok Episode 23 of The Deeper Healing Podcast features Jennifer, a mother who shares her son Ham's personal recovery experience with a macro prolactinoma (a pituitary tumor). Host Danielle Howley conducts the conversation. This episode explores the value of comprehensive functional blood testing, IV curcumin therapies, and patient advocacy. It is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. The episode explores the limitations of standard pediatric check-ups, noting how Ham's extreme lethargy at age 12 could have easily been dismissed. Jennifer discusses how Dr. Michael Bauerschmidt ordered a comprehensive functional blood panel that revealed abnormally high prolactin levels. This proactive testing led to the discovery of a 14-millimeter macro prolactinoma pressing on Ham's pituitary gland, which conventional specialists noted is typically only found after severe complications like vision loss occur. The conversation heavily focuses on Ham's treatment journey. After two years of conventional medication failed to shrink the tumor, Jennifer reports that they pursued a functional medicine approach with Dr. Bauerschmidt. She details how a protocol of high-dose IV Vitamin C and IV Curcumin, combined with intranasal laser light to activate the curcumin, was utilized. Jennifer shares that the tumor subsequently shrank, allowing Ham to avoid high-risk brain surgery. This episode is relevant for anyone: Exploring alternative perspectives for pituitary tumors Navigating pediatric chronic fatigue Interested in the clinical applications of IV therapies Macro Prolactinoma A type of benign (non-cancerous) tumor that develops on the pituitary gland and is larger than 10 millimeters in size. These tumors produce excessive amounts of the hormone prolactin. In adolescents and young men, excessively high prolactin can cause severe fatigue, lethargy, and hormonal imbalances. Because the pituitary gland sits directly below the optic nerve, large macro prolactinomas carry a significant risk of compressing the nerve and causing vision loss if they go undetected or untreated. IV Curcumin Therapy Involves administering the active compound found in turmeric directly into the bloodstream intravenously. Curcumin is highly regarded in functional and integrative medicine for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Because oral curcumin is famously difficult for the human body to absorb, delivering it intravenously—sometimes in combination with high-dose Vitamin C or activated by targeted light therapies—is explored by functional practitioners to support the body's cellular systems in times of severe inflammatory or oxidative stress. Prolactin A hormone primarily responsible for enabling milk production in nursing mothers. However, both men and women naturally produce small amounts of prolactin. When a standard functional blood panel reveals abnormally high prolactin levels in a child or a male patient, practitioners often order an MRI of the brain to check for the presence of a pituitary tumor known as a prolactinoma. Important: This episode shares one individual's personal experience and is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a representation of typical results. Outcomes vary significantly between individuals. The therapies discussed are not FDA-approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent macro prolactinoma, tumors, or any other disease. Do not discontinue, change, or begin any treatment without consulting a qualified medical provider who knows your full history. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR Parents who are noticing unexplained severe fatigue or behavioral changes in their children and are looking for guidance on deeper testing. Anyone exploring functional and integrative medicine perspectives after being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor or macro prolactinoma. Patients interested in the potential applications of IV Curcumin and high-dose IV Vitamin C for supporting cellular health. Families dealing with a complex medical diagnosis who want to understand the importance of advocating for alternative options. People interested in preventive healthcare who want to understand the life-saving benefits of annual, comprehensive functional blood panels. KEY TAKEAWAYS The critical importance of comprehensive blood testing. Jennifer shares how standard pediatric medicine often waits for severe physical symptoms (like vision loss) before investigating, whereas functional medicine caught Ham's tumor early through thorough hormone testing. Mother's intuition is a powerful diagnostic tool. The episode highlights how Jennifer's refusal to accept that her 12-year-old son's sudden lethargy was “just a tween thing” ultimately saved his health. Conventional medicine isn't the only option. Jennifer discusses the frustrating two-year period where standard medication failed to shrink the tumor, and the fear of proceeding with a high-risk brain surgery. The role of IV Curcumin and light activation. The conversation explores how Dr. Bauerschmidt utilized high-dose IV Vitamin C alongside IV Curcumin, activated by an intranasal light, to support Ham's body in addressing the tumor. Proactive testing changes lives. Danielle Howley emphasizes that patients do not have to be broken to seek help, noting that deep functional blood work should be the standard of care for preventing medical crises. TERMS & CONCEPT Macro Prolactinoma A non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary gland that is larger than 1 centimeter (10 mm) and secretes excessive amounts of the hormone prolactin. Why it matters: These tumors can cause severe hormonal imbalances and fatigue. Because of their location in the brain, large prolactinomas can press against the optic nerve, risking permanent vision loss if they continue to grow. Prolactin A hormone produced by the pituitary gland, best known for its role in enabling mammals to produce milk. Why it matters: In this episode, discovering an astronomically high prolactin level (over 425) in a 12-year-old boy was the critical diagnostic clue that led Dr. Bauerschmidt to order a brain MRI, ultimately finding the tumor before it ruptured. IV Curcumin The administration of curcumin (the active, anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric) directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous drip. It is not FDA-approved to treat any disease or shrink tumors. Why it matters: Curcumin is highly regarded in holistic medicine for supporting systemic inflammation. In Ham's protocol, Jennifer describes how it was paired with IV Vitamin C and targeted light therapy to maximize its cellular absorption. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q1: Can a macro prolactinoma be shrunk without surgery? Outcomes vary significantly between individuals. Conventional treatment often involves prescription medications or brain surgery to remove the tumor. In this episode, Jennifer shares her son Ham's personal experience of the tumor shrinking after pursuing a functional medicine protocol involving IV Curcumin and Vitamin C at Deeper Healing. This is one person's experience, not a representation of typical results, and not medical advice. Anyone considering treatment options should work with a qualified medical provider. Q2: What were Ham's first symptoms of a macro prolactinoma? Jennifer reports that Ham's primary symptom at age 12 was severe, unexplained lethargy. He went from being a highly energetic child to needing to sleep constantly. There were no immediate physical signs like headaches or vision loss, which is why the condition was only caught through a comprehensive functional blood test. Q3: What causes high prolactin levels in males? Conventional medicine generally attributes abnormally high prolactin levels in males to medications, thyroid issues, or benign pituitary tumors known as prolactinomas. Diagnosis and treatment decisions should always involve a qualified medical provider. Q4: What is IV Curcumin therapy? IV Curcumin therapy delivers the active anti-inflammatory compound found in turmeric directly into the bloodstream. It is used in integrative medicine to bypass the digestive tract, allowing for maximum cellular absorption to support systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. This therapy is not FDA-approved for the treatment of tumors or any disease. Discuss with a qualified provider whether it is appropriate for you. Q5: Why is a comprehensive blood panel important for children? In this episode, Danielle Howley and Jennifer discuss how standard pediatric check-ups often miss deeper physiological markers. Ham's tumor was only discovered because Dr. Bauerschmidt proactively ordered a comprehensive panel that checked hormone levels (like prolactin), a test not typically run on a 12-year-old boy without specific prompting. Q6: How long did Ham's recovery take? Jennifer reports that after starting the functional IV therapy at Deeper Healing, they administered treatments twice a week for an entire summer. Following this intensive period, an MRI confirmed the tumor was shrinking. Timelines vary significantly between individuals; this should not be taken as an expected timeline for anyone else. Q7: Is Ham's recovery typical? No. Every patient is different and individual results vary significantly. Jennifer's story is shared to provide information about one person's experience, not as a guarantee of outcomes, a representation of typical results, or as medical advice. Anyone dealing with a pituitary tumor should work with qualified medical providers.
What Doctors May Miss When Treating Cancer | Dr. Jim Chialtas
Functional medicine looks beyond the diagnosis Dr. Chialtas explains that functional medicine focuses on the mechanisms and underlying factors associated with a condition rather than simply treating the diagnosis. He discusses looking for early metabolic, nutritional, thyroid, blood sugar, and inflammatory patterns through more comprehensive testing. Nutrition, movement, and gut health are foundational The conversation emphasizes returning to whole foods, reducing highly processed foods, staying physically active, and increasing the diversity of plant foods and fiber. Dr. Chialtas discusses the relationship between gut health, the microbiome, immune function, and overall health, while stressing that dietary approaches should be individualized. Cancer care should address the whole person Dr. Chialtas emphasizes that functional medicine can be used as supportive care alongside conventional oncology, with careful attention to timing and potential interactions. He also highlights emotional and spiritual well-being, relationships, hope, and quality of life as important parts of navigating cancer.
Men Have Hormones Too
Normal labs can still leave a man feeling off. A total testosterone test on its own can look fine while much of that testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin, which a colleague of mine calls the Uber that drives hormones around the body. Dr. Mark wants the fuller panel checked before anyone says everything looks fine. Sleep may be the biggest lever. Dr. Mark says men who regularly sleep less than six and a half hours a night can expect their hormones to take a hit. Resistance training at least twice a week and a healthy body weight help too, and none of it needs a prescription. Erectile dysfunction can be an early heart warning. Diseased arteries affect blood flow everywhere, so trouble with erections at any age can be the first sign of cardiovascular disease. It's a reason to get a proper heart workup, and a reason to look past the band-aid pill.
Why Probiotics Stop Working (And What Actually Rebuilds Your Gut)
Probiotics Are Fertilizer, Not Seeds Shaina Cahill explains that probiotics are "vacationers." They support the bacteria already in your gut, then pass through and leave. If a keystone species like Bifidobacterium is completely gone, a probiotic is like fertilizer on an empty pot: nothing grows. She also warns that taking probiotics during a stool test can make it look like you have bacteria that disappear a week or two after you stop. FMT Transfers a Healthy Gut's "Instruction Manual" FMT captures a snapshot of a healthy donor's microbiome and processes it into an enema, a capsule, or a tasteless, odorless oral powder. Only about 1% of donor applicants qualify. They're screened for birth method, antibiotic history, family health history, and pathogens, then re-tested every 90 days. Treatment windows are getting longer so patients can build new diet, sleep and movement habits while the new bacteria settle in. Your Gut and Brain Have Been Talking Since Birth The gut is one of the first systems to mature, taking on its adult-like setup by around ages 3 to 5, and it helps set the pace for immune and brain development. Shaina says most of the body's serotonin is made in the gut, which helps explain brain fog, food-driven mood cycles, and why she's seeing neurological disease rethought through the gut. Her advice is to start small. Adding one new food, taking the stairs, and sleeping when it's dark all shift your gut within days. Real habits take about three months, not 21 days.
Menopause Myths That Keep Women From Feeling Better
Reaching menopause can leave the symptoms in place. Menopause means 12 months in a row without a period, at an average age of 51 in the US, and everything after that is postmenopause. Hot flashes, night sweats, and poor sleep can hang on for years, with the average around seven, so it's worth coming in even if your periods are long gone. Low libido isn't always about testosterone. Many women with low desire are dealing with vaginal dryness and painful sex, and once that is treated, often with a vaginal estrogen cream, the libido problem can take care of itself. Low vaginal estrogen can also sit behind frequent UTIs. Hormone therapy has to be individual. Bioidentical doesn't mean risk-free, and not every woman needs testosterone. A history of blood clots, stroke, or a hormone-sensitive cancer can change what's safe, which is why a thorough history, the right delivery method, and regular follow-up labs matter as much as the prescription.
Unintentional Weight Loss in Older Women: Causes and Health Risks
Understand why unintentional weight loss becomes a concern as women age, including how changes in appetite, digestion, taste, medications, mobility, and social connection can contribute to reduced food intake. Recognizing these factors can help identify potential problems before muscle loss and frailty become more serious. Discover how anorexia of aging differs from eating disorders in older women, including why anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorders are not limited to younger people. Menopause-related body changes, emotional stress, and depression may contribute to eating difficulties that deserve medical attention. Recognize the connection between weight loss, declining muscle mass, and frailty, and why losing weight unintentionally may have consequences for strength, mobility, and long-term health. Learn why unexplained weight loss or concerning eating behaviors warrant evaluation by a healthcare professional.
Perfect at Homecoming. Then Unrecognizable. What Was Hiding in Their Home?
Ava was homecoming queen, healthy and thriving in her senior year of high school. Then everything changed. Her mother, Ashley, noticed changes in Ava’s complexion. Then Ava passed out in a school bathroom. Within days, a severe rash spread over her face and body, and she became almost unrecognizable. The family began looking for answers. On this episode of The Deeper Healing™ Podcast, host Danielle Howley speaks with Ashley about her family’s experience navigating Ava’s unexplained symptoms, investigating potential environmental concerns and making difficult decisions about their home and daily lives. According to Ashley, environmental testing identified elevated mold spore levels in Ava’s bedroom. The family also found a bad AC hookup that was blowing air directly on Ava’s face, and a contractor discovered a shower leak after opening the ceiling above the bathroom. Ashley shares that Ava was later found to be sensitive to mold. The family faced practical and emotional challenges along the way. Ashley describes temporarily leaving the home, and Ava taking time away from school during this period. Ashley reflects on the uncertainty of that time, the importance of seeking appropriate professional guidance and the challenge of supporting a loved one when the reasons for their symptoms are not fully understood. She also talks about how she tried to create a supportive home environment, and how hearing another family’s story helped her hold on to hope. According to Ashley, Ava is attending college and moving forward with her life. Ashley and Ava’s story is also featured in the film Body Burden, featuring Deeper Healing. This conversation offers a personal account of a family navigating unexpected health concerns and investigating potential indoor environmental problems. It also highlights the emotional, practical and financial considerations that can arise when families seek answers. Important health information This episode shares a personal experience and general educational information. It is not medical advice and does not establish mold exposure as the cause of Ava’s symptoms or any specific medical condition. The account does not establish that any dietary practice, lifestyle change, environmental intervention or treatment caused a particular outcome. Individual circumstances and outcomes vary. Consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Consult appropriately qualified environmental professionals regarding suspected moisture or mold problems.
NAD and Methylene Blue: Can You Take Them Together?
NAD precursors like NMN and NR support oxidative phosphorylation from one side, while methylene blue supports it from the other. Combining them can be powerful, but doses often need adjusting to avoid too much stimulation. For educational purposes only. #NAD #MethyleneBlue #MitochondrialHealth
Why Your Nervous System May Be Keeping Chronic Lyme Stuck
Discover how chronic illness may train the brain and nervous system into a persistent threat response that continues driving inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, pain, and other symptoms. Understand why constantly monitoring symptoms, searching for triggers, and expecting danger may unintentionally reinforce the brain’s learned threat pathways—even when patients are actively treating infections. Learn how the Gupta Program combines nervous system regulation, brain retraining, somatic work, and neuroplasticity exercises to help patients move from chronic threat toward a state that better supports healing.
How to Make Nutrient-Dense Eating Easier
Discover why removing junk food, counting calories, or meeting protein goals does not necessarily guarantee a nutrient-dense diet. Understand why Chef James views organ meats as concentrated sources of whole-food nutrition and how taste, cooking, and sourcing can discourage people from trying them. Learn how to begin with small steps, such as adding chicken hearts to sauces, grating frozen liver into ground meat, or using organ-based seasoning on familiar foods.
The Better Question: How Can Resiliency Be Measured?
Sensitivity Without Specificity Sends You Chasing the Wrong Problem. Traditional food sensitivity testing measures whole proteins, which can trigger "molecular mimicry" errors — for example, flagging corn when wheat is the real trigger. Vibrant tests at the peptide level (50,000+ peptides), reporting 99% sensitivity and 100% specificity, so practitioners can link exact biomarkers (like elevated transglutaminase-3) to symptoms such as eczema or adult acne. Toxin Load Is a Missing Link in Hormones, Fertility, and Heart Disease. Endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and PFAS "forever chemicals" quietly undermine hormone optimization and are frequently overlooked in male fertility workups — not just female. On the cardiac side, markers like actin (from a leaky gut panel) and ceramides can flag smooth muscle disruption and plaque risk years before a cardiac event occurs. A "Leaky Brain" Can Predate Diagnosis by Years. The Neural Zoomer detects antibodies that cross the blood-brain barrier — including anti-tubulin, found in 56% of Hashimoto's patients even without cognitive symptoms. Left unaddressed, this kind of blood-brain barrier breach is linked to later-stage outcomes like brain fog, dementia, and Alzheimer's, making early detection a critical longevity tool.