Midlife Clarity with Dr. Tracy Page: Hormones, Menopause, Metabolism, and Strength for Women Over 40
She was 40, hadn't had a period in two years, and was terrified she would never be able to get pregnant. Her doctors gave her a PCOS diagnosis and offered birth control — which she couldn't tolerate. What nobody checked was her TPO antibodies (236 — classic Hashimoto's), her fasting insulin (11 — early insulin resistance driving androgen excess), her gut microbiome (depleted, likely driving both conditions), or her homocysteine (elevated — impairing egg quality and embryo implantation). In this episode, we break down Mary’s case: the three root causes of her infertility risk, the science behind each one, and the exact steps every woman with PCOS or cycle irregularities should take — starting this week. In this episode: * Why PCOS is a metabolic disorder — not a hormone disorder — and what that means for treatment * How elevated insulin drives testosterone, suppresses ovulation, and causes amenorrhea * Why TPO antibodies must be tested in every woman with PCOS or fertility challenges * The fertility-specific TSH target (below 2.5) and why standard 'normal' ranges are insufficient * The gut-autoimmunity-hormone connection: why the gut is the upstream driver * Methylation, homocysteine, and why standard folic acid may not be enough * The evidence for myo-inositol, selenium, gluten elimination, and GI-MAP testing * 7 actionable steps — including the exact words to say to your doctor Key Statistics Referenced * TPO antibodies: Hashimoto's diagnosis (optimal below 35) * TSH: Fertility target: below 2.5 * Fasting insulin: Optimal below 6 * Vitamin D: Fertility optimal: 60-80 * Homocysteine: >7— elevated methylation marker (optimal below 7) * Progesterone: Ovulatory level: above 10 * Free testosterone: 0.5 – 6.4 pg/ml (varies by lab) >7 consistent with androgen-driven PCOS * Up to 80% of women with PCOS: have insulin resistance — even thin women * Normalizing insulin sensitivity restores ovulation in up to 80% of PCOS cases without hormonal intervention * Hashimoto's affects: approximately 1 in 8 women over their lifetime * Elevated TPO antibodies: associated with 3-4x higher miscarriage risk even when TSH is normal * PCOS + Hashimoto's coexist in approximately 25-30% of PCOS patients * Gut microbiome disruption found in up to 90% of women with PCOS in microbiome studies * Vitamin D below 30: associated with up to 40% lower IVF live birth rates * Selenium 200 mcg/day: shown to reduce TPO antibodies significantly in meta-analyses (Check levels BEFORE supplementing) * Gluten elimination: shown to reduce TPO antibodies by 30-50% over 6 months in Hashimoto's patients Listen now to better understand what your body may be trying to tell you. ********************* Midlife Clarity with Dr. Tracy Page is a podcast for women over 40 navigating hormones, metabolism, strength, and healthy aging during midlife, perimenopause, and menopause. Connect with Dr. Page: * Dr. Tracy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracypagemd/ [https://www.instagram.com/tracypagemd/] * Dr. Tracy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtracypage/ [https://www.facebook.com/drtracypage/] Connect with The Wisconsin Institute of Functional Medicine (WIFM): * Website: Wisconsin Institute of Functional Medicine (WIFM) https://wisconsinfunctionalmed.com/ [https://wisconsinfunctionalmed.com/] * WIFM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisconsinfunctionalmed/ [https://www.instagram.com/wisconsinfunctionalmed/] * YouTube - Wisconsin Institute of Functional Medicine: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_oZu2b83V06C0szpKmUU9g [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_oZu2b83V06C0szpKmUU9g] DISCLAIMER: The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not replace a consultation with your own physician or qualified health care provider. Always seek professional medical guidance regarding your personal health concerns. © 2026 Dr. Tracy Page
17 episodios
Comentarios
0Sé la primera persona en comentar
¡Regístrate ahora y únete a la comunidad de Midlife Clarity with Dr. Tracy Page: Hormones, Menopause, Metabolism, and Strength for Women Over 40!