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.
Listen now to better understand what your body may be trying to tell you.
- 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 patient
Listen now to better understand what your body may be trying to tell you.
What You Will Learn
- 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
Midlife Clarity with Dr. Tracy Page
A podcast for women over 40 navigating hormones, metabolism, strength, and healthy aging during midlife, perimenopause, and menopause.
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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.
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