The Prescription Strength Podcast

The Real Reason You're Being Offered a Statin

Have you been offered a statin and wondered why? Perhaps your cholesterol hasn’t changed very much, you feel perfectly well, and suddenly your GP practice wants to discuss cholesterol or cardiovascular risk. In this Pocket Prescription I explain how statin decisions are made in primary care, why age has such a powerful influence on risk calculations, and why the conversation is usually about future cardiovascular risk rather than cholesterol alone. Topics covered include: * Why statins are offered even when you feel well * How cardiovascular risk calculators work * The difference between cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular risk * Why two people with similar cholesterol results can receive different advice * The role of blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, age and lifestyle * Absolute risk reduction and why context matters * Common misconceptions about statins * How to think about the balance between potential benefits and side effects This episode focuses on primary prevention—people who have not previously had a heart attack, stroke or established cardiovascular disease. As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as personal medical advice. If you have concerns about your own health or medication, please speak to your healthcare professional.

Metabolism, Appetite and Weight Gain. What people get wrong.

Have you ever been told that your metabolism is broken, damaged, or slowing down with age? Social media often blames metabolism for everything from weight gain to low energy, but the reality is usually much more complicated. In this episode, I cover the difference between metabolism and appetite, why the two are often confused, and why that distinction matters if you’re trying to lose weight or improve your health. Topics covered include: * What metabolism actually is * Why metabolism is often more stable than people think * The research on metabolism and ageing * Why appetite changes far more dramatically than metabolism * The impact of sleep, stress, hormones and environment on hunger * Menopause, weight gain and common misconceptions * Why some medications can lead to weight gain * The role of protein, fibre and lifestyle habits in appetite regulation * Why “fixing your metabolism” is usually the wrong goal If you’ve ever worried that you’ve damaged your metabolism or that age has made weight loss impossible, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on. As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as personal medical advice. If you have concerns about your own health, please speak to your healthcare professional.

Underactive Thyroid. What your GP didn't have time to explain

Have you been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and found yourself confused by conflicting advice online? Perhaps you’ve heard that T3 is the “active” thyroid hormone, wondered why you’re prescribed thyroxine (levothyroxine), or been tempted by thyroid supplements, private testing, or claims that conventional treatment is missing something. In this episode, I cover how thyroid hormones work, why thyroxine remains the standard treatment for hypothyroidism, why T3 isn’t routinely measured, and where much of the confusion around thyroid health comes from. Topics covered include: * The difference between T4 and T3 * Why levothyroxine is usually prescribed * Why T3 isn’t routinely tested * How thyroid blood tests are interpreted * Thyroid supplements, selenium and zinc * Why some people still feel unwell despite treatment * The role of fatigue, sleep, menopause and other health conditions * How to approach thyroid information online with a critical eye If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting messages about thyroid health, this episode will help you understand the basics and make sense of the conversation. As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as personal medical advice. If you have concerns about your own health or treatment, please speak to your healthcare professional.

Fish Oil Supplements: Helpful, Harmful or Hype?

Fish oil used to be seen as universally “good for the heart.” Then suddenly the headlines said it might be dangerous. So what’s actually true? In this Pocket Prescription episode, GP Lynette Ewart explains what recent fish oil studies really showed, why different heart conditions matter, and why nutrition science so often gets reduced to simplistic headlines. A practical, evidence-based guide to making sense of the confusion — without the hype.

Is cortisol really wrecking your health?

Cortisol has become the internet’s favourite explanation for almost everything. Poor sleep? Cortisol. Weight gain? Cortisol. Waking at 3am? Cortisol. Tired all the time? Apparently also cortisol. But what does cortisol actually do, when is it genuinely a medical problem, and how much of the online conversation is misunderstanding mixed with marketing? In this Pocket Prescription episode, GP and strength coach Lynette Ewart explains what cortisol really is, why the wellness industry became obsessed with it, and what people often miss when they blame stress hormones for everything. This isn’t a “stress doesn’t matter” episode. It absolutely does. But the internet version of cortisol has drifted a long way from reality. In this episode: * What cortisol actually does in the body * Why cortisol rises normally during stress * The difference between chronic stress and true cortisol disorders * Why “hormone imbalance” is often used as a vague catch-all term * The problem with random online hormone testing * Why sleep, recovery, activity and overall health still matter more than hacks No hacks. No supplements being pushed. Just a calm, evidence-based explanation from clinic reality. You can also watch the video version on the  Prescription Strength YouTube channel