LEVELS – A Whole New Level #288 - Women’s Hormones Explained: Energy, Mood, PMS, and Why “Normal” Labs Miss the Problem | Dr. Anjali D’Souza & Mike Haney
Dec 18, 2025
Dr. Anjali D’Souza, a functional medicine expert specializing in women's health, joins Mike Haney to decode the complexities of hormones beyond reproduction. They discuss how hormones shape day-to-day energy, mood, and metabolism. Anjali shares insights on why standard lab tests often overlook critical issues and how symptoms like PMS reveal deeper health signals. The conversation covers the interplay between cortisol and progesterone, the significance of optimal hormone levels, and lifestyle factors that enhance hormonal balance.
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Cast A Wide Lab Net
- Run broad labs, not just narrow panels, to find root drivers like nutrient deficiencies.
- Check zinc, iodine, selenium, and vitamin D when thyroid numbers seem normal but symptoms persist.
Test Progesterone In Luteal Phase
- Test luteal-phase progesterone for PMS symptoms occurring before menstruation.
- If progesterone is low (<10), support ovulation with diet, supplements (vitex), or bioidentical progesterone.
Progesterone Is The Natural Calmer
- Progesterone calms the brain and supports sleep; it's central to mood and PMS relief.
- Progesterone declines with age and is sensitive to stress, affecting many women’s symptoms.