Full Transcript Why One Estrogen Test Isnu2019t Enough 0:00 A single 0:00 A single estrogen test during 0:01 estrogen test during 0:01 estrogen test during perimenopause can 0:03 perimenopause can 0:03 perimenopause can be almost useless, 0:04 be almost useless, 0:04 be almost useless, in fact. So, in 0:05 in fact. So, in 0:05 in fact. So, in this video, I'll 0:06 this video, I'll 0:06 this video, I'll talk about three 0:07 talk about three 0:07 talk about three hormones that 0:08 hormones that 0:08 hormones that every 0:10 every 0:10 every woman after 40 should have checked. 0:11 woman after 40 should have checked. 0:12 woman after 40 should have checked. What exactly to ask for, and 0:13 What exactly to ask for, and 0:13 What exactly to ask for, and one bonus 0:14 one bonus 0:14 one bonus indicator that 0:14 indicator that 0:14 indicator that most doctors 0:16 most doctors 0:16 most doctors generally skip. I'm 0:17 generally skip. I'm 0:17 generally skip. I'm Dr. Jen, a 0:18 Dr. Jen, a 0:19 dual- 0:19 dual- specialty gynecologist and 0:20 specialty gynecologist and 0:20 specialty gynecologist and integrative 0:21 integrative 0:21 integrative medicine doctor, and I 0:22 medicine doctor, and I 0:22 medicine doctor, and I prescribe these tests to 0:23 prescribe these tests to 0:23 prescribe these tests to women every day. That's what's 0:25 women every day. That's what's 0:25 women every day. That's what's most surprising. During 0:26 most surprising. During 0:26 most surprising. During perimenopause, 0:27 perimenopause, 0:27 perimenopause, estrogen levels can 0:28 estrogen levels can 0:28 estrogen levels can fluctuate from 0:29 fluctuate from 0:29 fluctuate from cosmic heights to
Hormone #1: Why Thyroid Testing Matters 0:30 cosmic heights to 0:30 cosmic heights to rock bottom, all 0:31 rock bottom, all 0:31 rock bottom, all within the span of a single 0:32 within the span of a single 0:32 within the span of a single week. In fact, it 0:33 week. In fact, it 0:33 week. In fact, it can 0:34 can 0:34 can even happen every day. So 0:35 even happen every day. So 0:35 even happen every day. So chasing a single 0:36 chasing a single 0:36 chasing a single estrogen indicator 0:37 estrogen indicator 0:37 estrogen indicator provides almost no 0:38 provides almost no 0:38 provides almost no information. And, frankly 0:39 information. And, frankly 0:39 information. And, frankly , the hormone that 0:40 , the hormone that 0:40 , the hormone that starts to malfunction even before 0:41 starts to malfunction even before 0:41 starts to malfunction even before estrogen is almost 0:43 estrogen is almost 0:43 estrogen is almost never 0:43 never 0:43 never checked. So 0:44 checked. So 0:44 checked. So hormone number one is 0:46 hormone number one is 0:46 hormone number one is actually the 0:46 actually the 0:46 actually the thyroid gland. And this is the 0:48 thyroid gland. And this is the 0:48 thyroid gland. And this is the most common 0:49 most common 0:49 most common metric I see 0:50 metric I see 0:50 metric I see missed. When 0:52 missed. When 0:52 missed. When a doctor says your 0:54 a doctor says your 0:54 a doctor says your thyroid is 0:55 thyroid is 0:55 thyroid is fine, they often 0:56 fine, they often 0:56 fine, they often only checked one 0:58 only checked one 0:58 only checked one test—TSH. But TSH 1:00 test—TSH. But TSH 1:00 test—TSH. But TSH alone can 1:01 alone can 1:01 alone can look completely 1:02 look completely 1:02 look completely normal, while 1:03 normal, while 1:03 normal, while you feel tired, 1:05 you feel tired, 1:05 you feel tired, gain weight, 1:06 gain weight, 1:06 gain weight, lose hair, 1:07 lose hair, 1:07 lose hair, have “foggy heads, 1:08 have “foggy heads, ” and are constantly cold 1:10 ” and are constantly cold . To really 1:10 . To really 1:10 . To really see how 1:11 see how 1:11 see how your 1:12 your 1:12 your thyroid is working, you need 1:13 thyroid is working, you need 1:13 thyroid is working, you need to have a full panel of 1:14 to have a full panel of 1:14 to have a full panel of tests. TSH,
TSH vs. a Full Thyroid Panel 1:15 tests. TSH, 1:15 tests. TSH, free T4, free T3, 1:17 free T4, free T3, 1:17 free T4, free T3, and 1:18 and 1:18 and thyroid antibodies. 1:19 thyroid antibodies. 1:20 thyroid antibodies. Why is this so important 1:21 Why is this so important 1:21 Why is this so important after 40—because the symptoms of 1:22 after 40—because the symptoms of 1:23 after 40—because the symptoms of hypothyroidism are very 1:24 hypothyroidism are very 1:24 hypothyroidism are very similar to the symptoms of 1:25 similar to the symptoms of 1:25 similar to the symptoms of perimenopause. Therefore, 1:26 perimenopause. Therefore, 1:26 perimenopause. Therefore, this is often 1:27 this is often 1:27 this is often ignored, 1:28 ignored, 1:28 ignored, saying, "Well, it's just 1:29 saying, "Well, it's just 1:29 saying, "Well, it's just hormones and your age." 1:30 hormones and your age." 1:30 hormones and your age." But it is completely 1:31 But it is completely 1:31 But it is completely treatable 1:32 treatable . However, the thyroid 1:34 . However, the thyroid 1:34 . However, the thyroid gland is not the only 1:35 gland is not the only 1:35 gland is not the only hormone that, as I 1:35 hormone that, as I 1:35 hormone that, as I said, will fail 1:36 said, will fail 1:36 said, will fail first. Remember 1:38 first. Remember 1:38 first. Remember this? Here's a hormone 1:39 this? Here's a hormone 1:39 this? Here's a hormone that starts to drop 1:40 that starts to drop 1:40 that starts to drop years before 1:41 years before 1:41 years before your cycle starts to 1:42 your cycle starts to 1:42 your cycle starts to change and 1:43 change and 1:43 change and before your estrogen 1:44 before your estrogen 1:44 before your estrogen starts to jump back and forth
Hormone #2: Progesterone & Why Timing Matters 1:45 starts to jump back and forth . And this is the hormone 1:47 . And this is the hormone 1:47 . And this is the hormone that almost no one 1:48 that almost no one 1:48 that almost no one tests because it is not 1:49 tests because it is not 1:49 tests because it is not included in a standard 1:50 included in a standard 1:50 included in a standard panel or 1:51 panel or 1:51 panel or lab kit. 1:52 lab kit. 1:52 lab kit. Now I will tell you what it is 1:53 Now I will tell you what it is 1:53 Now I will tell you what it is and what you 1:54 and what you 1:54 and what you feel when it 1:55 feel when it 1:55 feel when it falls. Also about one 1:56 falls. Also about one 1:56 falls. Also about one error in time, due to 1:57 error in time, due to 1:57 error in time, due to which the test result 1:58 which the test result 1:58 which the test result will be false, even 1:59 will be false, even 1:59 will be false, even if your indicators are 2:00 if your indicators are 2:00 if your indicators are really low. Hormone 2:01 really low. Hormone 2:02 really low. Hormone number two is 2:02 number two is 2:02 number two is progesterone. And here's what 2:04 progesterone. And here's what 2:04 progesterone. And here's what almost no one 2:04 almost no one 2:04 almost no one tells you about 2:05 tells you about 2:05 tells you about progesterone. 2:06 progesterone. 2:06 progesterone. It is usually the first 2:08 It is usually the first 2:08 It is usually the first hormone to 2:09 hormone to 2:09 hormone to drop before estrogen 2:10 drop before estrogen 2:10 drop before estrogen in perimenopause. 2:11 in perimenopause. 2:11 in perimenopause. Often years before 2:13 Often years before 2:13 Often years before this happens with 2:14 this happens with 2:14 this happens with estrogen. When it 2:15 estrogen. When it 2:15 estrogen. When it drops, you feel 2:16 drops, you feel 2:16 drops, you feel unusually anxious 2:17 unusually anxious , thoughts keep you 2:18 , thoughts keep you 2:18 , thoughts keep you awake in the middle of the night, 2:19 awake in the middle of the night, 2:19 awake in the middle of the night, sleep becomes shallow, 2:21 sleep becomes shallow, 2:21 sleep becomes shallow, cycles are shorter, and 2:22 cycles are shorter, and 2:22 cycles are shorter, and periods are heavier 2:23 periods are heavier 2:23 periods are heavier and more frequent, and 2:24 and more frequent, and 2:24 and more frequent, and many women are
Hormone #3: Testosterone in Women 2:25 many women are 2:25 many women are prescribed estrogen 2:26 prescribed estrogen 2:26 prescribed estrogen for symptoms that are 2:27 for symptoms that are 2:27 for symptoms that are actually related to 2:28 actually related to 2:28 actually related to low 2:29 low 2:29 low progesterone. Here is 2:31 progesterone. Here is 2:31 progesterone. Here is the trap with the time of 2:31 the trap with the time of 2:31 the trap with the time of analysis. 2:33 analysis. 2:33 analysis. Progesterone levels 2:34 Progesterone levels 2:34 Progesterone levels rise and fall 2:35 rise and fall 2:35 rise and fall depending on your 2:36 depending on your 2:36 depending on your cycle. Therefore, the timing of 2:37 cycle. Therefore, the timing of 2:37 cycle. Therefore, the timing of the analysis is 2:39 the analysis is 2:39 the analysis is critical. Testing 2:40 critical. Testing 2:40 critical. Testing should be done before 2:41 should be done before 2:41 should be done before the start of menstruation 2:43 the start of menstruation , that is, a week before 2:44 , that is, a week before 2:44 , that is, a week before it, from the 20th to the 24th day of the 2:45 it, from the 20th to the 24th day of the 2:45 it, from the 20th to the 24th day of the cycle. Testing at the 2:47 cycle. Testing at the 2:47 cycle. Testing at the wrong time 2:48 wrong time 2:48 wrong time may show a 2:48 may show a 2:48 may show a low result, 2:50 low result, 2:50 low result, although 2:51 although 2:51 although this may 2:52 this may 2:52 this may be normal for the first week of the cycle. So, the 2:53 be normal for the first week of the cycle. So, the 2:53 be normal for the first week of the cycle. So, the third hormone is one that 2:55 third hormone is one that your doctor has almost 2:56 your doctor has almost 2:56 your doctor has almost certainly never 2:57 certainly never 2:57 certainly never suggested 2:57 suggested 2:57 suggested testing. And this is 2:59 testing. And this is 2:59 testing. And this is testosterone. Yes, 3:01 testosterone. Yes, 3:01 testosterone. Yes, women produce 3:02 women produce 3:03 women produce testosterone. It is 3:04 testosterone. It is 3:04 testosterone. It is needed by women, and
The Testosterone Tests to Ask For 3:05 needed by women, and 3:05 needed by women, and its level 3:06 its level 3:06 its level decreases with age. It does not 3:07 decreases with age. It does not 3:07 decreases with age. It does not drop sharply during 3:08 drop sharply during 3:08 drop sharply during perimenopause, but 3:09 perimenopause, but 3:09 perimenopause, but begins to decline 3:11 begins to decline 3:11 begins to decline as early as your early 3:12 as early as your early 3:12 as early as your early 30s. When its 3:13 30s. When its 3:13 30s. When its levels drop, you 3:14 levels drop, you 3:14 levels drop, you lose libido, 3:15 lose libido, 3:15 lose libido, energy, motivation, and 3:16 energy, motivation, and 3:16 energy, motivation, and the ability to build 3:17 the ability to build 3:17 the ability to build and maintain muscle. 3:18 and maintain muscle. 3:19 and maintain muscle. The mistake is to 3:20 The mistake is to 3:22 only check one indicator. 3:22 only check one indicator. Ask to be tested for 3:23 Ask to be tested for 3:23 Ask to be tested for total 3:23 total 3:23 total testosterone, free 3:24 testosterone, free 3:24 testosterone, free testosterone, and a protein 3:25 testosterone, and a protein 3:25 testosterone, and a protein called 3:26 called 3:26 called sex 3:27 sex 3:27 sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). 3:28 hormone binding globulin (SHBG). 3:28 hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Because GSH 3:29 Because GSH 3:29 Because GSH determines how 3:29 determines how 3:29 determines how much 3:30 much 3:30 much testosterone is 3:31 testosterone is 3:31 testosterone is available for 3:31 available for 3:31 available for your 3:32 your 3:32 your body to use. Without all 3:33 body to use. Without all 3:33 body to use. Without all three indicators, 3:34 three indicators, 3:34 three indicators, the picture will be extremely
Bonus: Fasting Insulin & A1C 3:35 the picture will be extremely 3:35 the picture will be extremely incomplete. This is the hormone 3:36 incomplete. This is the hormone 3:36 incomplete. This is the hormone that has the biggest 3:37 that has the biggest 3:37 that has the biggest impact on the feeling of 3:39 impact on the feeling of 3:39 impact on the feeling of being "out of sorts. 3:40 being "out of sorts. 3:40 being "out of sorts. " And now a 3:43 " And now a 3:43 " And now a bonus indicator 3:44 bonus indicator 3:44 bonus indicator that is not related 3:45 that is not related 3:45 that is not related to sex 3:46 to sex 3:46 to sex hormones, but 3:47 hormones, but 3:47 hormones, but explains a significant 3:47 explains a significant 3:47 explains a significant portion of weight gain 3:49 portion of weight gain 3:49 portion of weight gain and fatigue in middle 3:50 and fatigue in middle 3:50 and fatigue in middle age. And doctors rarely 3:53 age. And doctors rarely 3:53 age. And doctors rarely check it. So 3:54 check it. So 3:55 check it. So let's talk 3:56 let's talk 3:56 let's talk about it. Immediately after 3:57 about it. Immediately after 3:57 about it. Immediately after that, I will give you an 3:58 that, I will give you an 3:58 that, I will give you an exact list so that you can 3:59 exact list so that you can 3:59 exact list so that you can take a screenshot and 4:00 take a screenshot and 4:00 take a screenshot and show it to your doctor, and I 4:01 show it to your doctor, and I 4:01 show it to your doctor, and I will also tell you about the 4:01 will also tell you about the 4:02 will also tell you about the trap through which 4:02 trap through which 4:02 trap through which conventional tests 4:03 conventional tests 4:03 conventional tests deceive you. 4:04 deceive you. 4:04 deceive you. Stay with me. 4:05 Stay with me. 4:06 Stay with me. This bonus is your 4:07 This bonus is your 4:07 This bonus is your metabolic picture, 4:09 metabolic picture, 4:09 metabolic picture, including your 4:10 including your 4:10 including your fasting insulin levels 4:11 fasting insulin levels 4:11 fasting insulin levels and a measure 4:12 and a measure 4:12 and a measure called hemoglobin A1C. 4:14 called hemoglobin A1C. 4:14 called hemoglobin A1C. As estrogen levels decrease 4:15 As estrogen levels decrease 4:15 As estrogen levels decrease in women, 4:16 in women, 4:16 in women, 4:18 insulin resistance increases . And 4:19 . And 4:19 . And insulin resistance
Why u201cNormalu201d Labs May Not Tell the Whole Story 4:20 insulin resistance 4:20 insulin resistance manifests itself in 4:21 manifests itself in 4:21 manifests itself in the form of weight gain. 4:22 the form of weight gain. 4:22 the form of weight gain. And this can happen 4:24 And this can happen 4:24 And this can happen years before you 4:25 years before you 4:25 years before you notice any 4:26 notice any 4:26 notice any abnormalities in your 4:27 abnormalities in your 4:27 abnormalities in your blood sugar levels, 4:28 blood sugar levels, 4:28 blood sugar levels, such as on a 4:29 such as on a 4:29 such as on a hemoglobin A1C test. This is 4:30 hemoglobin A1C test. This is 4:30 hemoglobin A1C test. This is why many women 4:31 why many women 4:31 why many women are told that their 4:32 are told that their 4:32 are told that their glucose levels are 4:33 glucose levels are 4:33 glucose levels are normal and they do not have 4:34 normal and they do not have 4:34 normal and they do not have diabetes, but they 4:34 diabetes, but they 4:34 diabetes, but they continue to gain 4:35 continue to gain 4:35 continue to gain belly fat and 4:36 belly fat and 4:36 belly fat and feel 4:37 feel 4:37 feel sluggish in the afternoon 4:38 sluggish in the afternoon 4:38 sluggish in the afternoon . A 4:39 . A 4:39 . A fasting insulin test 4:40 fasting insulin test 4:40 fasting insulin test detects the problem at an 4:41 detects the problem at an 4:41 detects the problem at an early stage, when 4:41 early stage, when 4:41 early stage, when it is still very easy 4:42 it is still very easy 4:42 it is still very easy to 4:43 to 4:43 to correct. Now 4:44 correct. Now 4:44 correct. Now for the trap: when 4:45 for the trap: when 4:45 for the trap: when you get the results 4:46 you get the results , don't be satisfied with 4:48 , don't be satisfied with 4:48 , don't be satisfied with the word "norm". 4:48 the word "norm". 4:49 the word "norm". Ask for specific 4:50 Ask for specific 4:50 Ask for specific numbers, because "normal" 4:51 numbers, because "normal" 4:51 numbers, because "normal" only means that you 4:53 only means that you 4:53 only means that you fall within a wide 4:54 fall within a wide 4:54 fall within a wide range, but it doesn't 4:55 range, but it doesn't 4:55 range, but it doesn't mean "optimal." 4:56 mean "optimal." 4:57 mean "optimal." That's a whole different 4:58 That's a whole different 4:58 That's a whole different conversation. Before I 4:59 conversation. Before I 4:59 conversation. Before I conclude, I'll say that of
The Hormone That Surprises Women Most 5:00 conclude, I'll say that of 5:00 conclude, I'll say that of these four, this one is the one that 5:01 these four, this one is the one that 5:01 these four, this one is the one that women 5:02 women 5:02 women write to me about 5:03 write to me about 5:03 write to me about most often when they 5:04 most often when they 5:04 most often when they finally try 5:05 finally try 5:05 finally try it, because the result 5:06 it, because the result 5:06 it, because the result almost never 5:07 almost never 5:07 almost never meets 5:08 meets 5:08 meets expectations. 5:08 expectations. 5:08 expectations. In the next 30 5:10 In the next 30 5:10 In the next 30 seconds, I'll explain 5:11 seconds, I'll explain 5:11 seconds, I'll explain what exactly this score is 5:12 what exactly this score is 5:12 what exactly this score is and what a 5:12 and what a 5:12 and what a low 5:13 low 5:13 low score actually looks like on paper. 5:14 score actually looks like on paper. 5:14 score actually looks like on paper. So if you 5:15 So if you 5:15 So if you only remember 5:16 only remember 5:16 only remember one thing, let it be this 5:17 one thing, let it be this 5:17 one thing, let it be this . It's not just about 5:18 . It's not just about 5:18 . It's not just about estrogen. Three 5:19 estrogen. Three 5:19 estrogen. Three hormones worth 5:20 hormones worth 5:20 hormones worth checking after 5:21 checking after 5:21 checking after age 40: a comprehensive 5:22 age 40: a comprehensive 5:23 age 40: a comprehensive thyroid panel 5:24 thyroid panel 5:24 thyroid panel , progesterone, 5:25 , progesterone, 5:25 , progesterone, testosterone, and 5:26 testosterone, and 5:26 testosterone, and fasting insulin and 5:27 fasting insulin and 5:27 fasting insulin and glycated 5:28 glycated 5:28 glycated hemoglobin. And the hormone 5:30 hemoglobin. And the hormone 5:30 hemoglobin. And the hormone I mentioned, the one that 5:31 I mentioned, the one that 5:31 I mentioned, the one that surprises women the most, 5:33 surprises women the most, 5:33 surprises women the most, is 5:33 is 5:33 is testosterone. Almost
The Complete List of Tests to Remember 5:36 testosterone. Almost 5:36 testosterone. Almost every woman thinks 5:37 every woman thinks 5:37 every woman thinks that 5:38 that 5:38 that she's fine with testosterone because it's a 5:39 she's fine with testosterone because it's a 5:39 she's fine with testosterone because it's a "male hormone" 5:41 "male hormone" 5:41 "male hormone" or that she doesn't 5:41 or that she doesn't 5:41 or that she doesn't need it. But 5:43 need it. But 5:43 need it. But testosterone standards are somewhat 5:44 testosterone standards are somewhat 5:44 testosterone standards are somewhat skewed because 5:45 skewed because 5:45 skewed because we don't have 5:47 we don't have 5:47 we don't have FDA-approved drugs, so 5:48 FDA-approved drugs, so 5:48 FDA-approved drugs, so it's hard to get 5:49 it's hard to get 5:49 it's hard to get real numbers. 5:50 real numbers. 5:50 real numbers. So you deserve 5:51 So you deserve 5:51 So you deserve to know the real 5:52 to know the real 5:52 to know the real values to 5:52 values to 5:52 values to understand if they are 5:53 understand if they are 5:53 understand if they are optimal and not 5:54 optimal and not 5:54 optimal and not just “within the normal range 5:55 just “within the normal range .” You deserve to 5:56 .” You deserve to 5:56 .” You deserve to feel 5:57 feel 5:57 feel better with the 5:57 better with the 5:57 better with the right tests. 5:58 right tests. 5:58 right tests. Since testosterone 5:59 Since testosterone is what surprises 6:00 is what surprises 6:00 is what surprises women the most, I 6:01 women the most, I 6:01 women the most, I have detailed the 6:02 have detailed the 6:02 have detailed the alarming signs of 6:03 alarming signs of 6:03 alarming signs of its deficiency in this 6:04 its deficiency in this 6:04 its deficiency in this video. So watch it 6:05 video. So watch it 6:05 video. So watch it . I'll put it 6:06 . I'll put it 6:06 . I'll put it right here. 6:07 right here. 6:07 right here. Check it out 6:08 Check it out 6:08 Check it out next, and 6:08 next, and 6:08 next, and I'll see you after that 6:09 I'll see you after that 6:09 I'll see you after that .
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