#276 - Lab tests for female hormones: menopause and fertility | Dr. Natalie Crawford & Mike Haney

5 snips

Jun 26, 2025

Dr. Natalie Crawford, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility expert from Austin, insights into women's hormonal health. She discusses the importance of lab testing for female hormones, shedding light on menopause and fertility. Natalie highlights how brain-ovary communication shifts throughout the menstrual cycle and the impact of inflammation on reproductive health. She advocates for women to understand their health better and when to test hormones, ensuring they are empowered at the doctor's office.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Timing Hormone Blood Tests

For hormone blood tests, day 2-4 of your cycle is best for baseline FSH, estrogen, and testosterone.
Check progesterone mid-luteal phase around a week after ovulation to assess egg release and luteal health.

ADVICE

Test and Track Irregular Cycles

If you have irregular or no periods, get a comprehensive hormone panel anytime to diagnose issues.
Track menstrual cycle changes closely to provide helpful information to your doctor for test interpretation.

ADVICE

Prepare with Cycle Tracking

Track cycles for months before blood testing to know your body's status and get accurate test timing.
Regular, predictable cycles indicate better hormonal health; irregular cycles require more thorough evaluation.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Lab testing for female reproductive hormones offers insight into menstrual cycle irregularities, fertility concerns, and understanding where you are on the perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause trajectory. Dr. Natalie Crawford and Mike Haney discuss how the brain and ovaries communicate during the different phases of the menstrual cycle, when to test female hormones, how oral contraception affects hormone levels, and how to advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office.

Get a Free Guide to Understanding Your Lab Results: ⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 What Natalie Crawford, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:

(08:03) — Women’s reproductive health concerns sometimes get dismissed

(09:08) — The intersection of fertility and functional medicine

(14:17) — The reason to check anti-Mullerian hormone

(24:19) — The brain communicates with the ovaries

(26:17) — Inflammation can disrupt the menstrual cycle

(30:44) — Data from biomarker testing can be motivating

(32:05) — When to do baseline testing for female hormones

(37:47) — Menstrual cycle history and the big picture are important

(40:12) — Menstrual cycle irregularities should be investigated

(42:55) — The role of hormonal birth control and how it affects hormone levels

(55:14) — The importance of fiber for hormonal support

(59:44) — The importance of eating whole foods and avoiding toxins

⁠Transcripts & Show Notes⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/Xeq4TxRJ5Yk

Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠