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The DUTCH Podcast

DUTCH Test

Welcome to The DUTCH Podcast, your go-to source for all things hormones! Join host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton, ND, and a lineup of top functional health experts as we dive into the fascinating world of hormonal health and discover how the DUTCH Test can help. Whether you’re navigating any number of hormonal issues like dysmenorrhea, fertility, weight gain, or menopause or you’re dealing with testosterone issues, this podcast aims to break down complex topics into easily digestible insights. Tune in every Tuesday to hear from respected leaders in hormone research and get practical advice to help you manage your health - or the health of your patients - with confidence. Get ready for enlightening conversations that make hormone science approachable and actionable.

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32 episodes
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#176
Tuesday · 55 min
From Acne to Anti-Aging: How Birth Control, Hormones & Gut Health Are Linked
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Nigma Talib joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to discuss the connection between gut health and skin aging, including how gut dysbiosis, stress, and hormone metabolism can be reflected on the skin. This episode also explores: How poor digestion can accelerate visible skin aging due to nutrient absorption and mitochondrial support The role of stress in leaky gut and gut disruption Birth control, particularly synthetic progestins, and how it impacts skin health Skin as a dashboard for potential internal imbalances and the importance of testing to determine the root cause In-office tools and therapies to motivate patients to sustain lifestyle changes Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Nigma Talib and follow her on Instagram @drnigmatalib! Register for DUTCH Fest 2027 in your Provider Portal, or become a DUTCH Provider to get access! Explore easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. 
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#175
October 20 · 53 min
20,000 Women Surveyed: What the Data Reveals About Menopause Symptoms
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, nutritionist Andrea Donsky joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to discuss her large-scale research on perimenopause and menopause, the deep connection between gut health and hormone balance, and the value of baseline hormone and metabolic testing. Andrea and Dr. Jaclyn also discuss: Outdated symptom lists for perimenopause and menopause, which commonly cite only 34 symptoms, compared to Andrea’s research, which documented over 100 Most common symptoms are cognitive, such as mood swings, anxiety, and brain fog, rather than physical symptoms How the gut changes in perimenopause and menopause and how hormones are intertwined The common experience of provider dismissal for perimenopausal and menopausal patients Nutrition and lifestyle as the foundation, not a replacement for hormone therapy Show Notes Check out Nourishing Menopause by Andrea Donsky and follow her on Instagram @andreadonsky! Learn more about easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct.  Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to peer-reviewed and validated research, comprehensive patient reports, and expert clinical support, as well as our Perimenopause Management educational course.
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#174
October 13 · 1 hr 2 min
Cortisol, Attachment & the Physiology of Relational Stress
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Sabrina Zohar and host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton discuss the intersection of psychology, the nervous system, and physiology in relationships. They also explore attachment theory and how it relates to HPA axis function, cortisol, and hormone health. This conversation also highlights: The physiological, not just psychological, nature of attachment styles How chronic activation of cortisol can cause downstream regulation, affecting sex hormones, sleep, and mood Small, incremental steps to build nervous system safety The importance of regulation when it comes to conflict resolution Practical tools for nervous system regulation Show Notes Learn more about Sabrina, her new book Why Am I Like This?, and follow her on Instagram @sabrina.zohar! Discover easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct.   Become a DUTCH Provider today to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.
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#173
October 6 · 1 hr 11 min
After Breast Cancer: Post-Treatment Symptoms & Patient Care
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Jenn Simmons and Dr. LaDeana Jeane join host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to discuss breast cancer survivorship, what happens after active treatment ends, and how providers can help patients during this stage. This episode also covers: How post-treatment care is fragmented due to caution from specialists The connection between post-treatment symptoms and menopause, and how the shared cause can go unaddressed by providers Menopausal hormone therapy after breast cancer, the benefits and risks, and the shifting landscape How crucial it is for conventional and naturopathic care to work together Dr. Jeane and Dr. Simmons’ guidance on speaking with patients about lowering recurrence risk Show Notes Learn more about Dr. LaDeana Jeane’s practice Nolia Naturopathic Medicine! Check out Dr. Jenn Simmons’ book, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer, and her podcast, Keeping Abreast with Dr. Jenn. Discover easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. Become a DUTCH Provider to see how the DUTCH Test can profoundly change the lives of your patients.
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#172
September 29 · 1 hr 3 min
ADHD in Women: How Hormones, Gut Health & Inflammation Are Linked
Send us Fan Mail Join us for this episode as Dr. Jolene Brighten and host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton discuss attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in women, how hormone levels impact ADHD in childhood and adulthood, and the many systems that estrogen helps regulate. Dr. Brighten and Dr. Smeaton also cover: How ADHD in women is frequently missed until adulthood The role of estrogen in brain energy, immune function, and gut microbial diversity ADHD’s tendency to overlap with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder The decline of estrogen during perimenopause and how it can cause ADHD-like symptoms to emerge or intensify Dr. Brighten’s hormone therapy considerations for patients with ADHD Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Jolene Brighten and follow her on Instagram @drjolenebrighten! Check out Dr. Brighten’s book, ADHD and Women! Discover easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. Become a DUTCH Provider today to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.
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#171
September 22 · 1 hr 2 min
Hormones & Bone Loss: What Every Midlife Woman Needs to Know
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Christine Maren joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to discuss bone health in perimenopausal and menopausal women and how bone health is connected to the immune system, gut health, and hormone therapy. Their conversation also explores: Bone as a dynamic tissue that’s constantly rebuilding The importance of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone for slowing bone breakdown and supporting bone building Mechanical loading, hormones, gut health, and overall nutrition as higher-impact factors compared to calcium supplementation for bone health The benefits of hormone therapy for bone health Missed markers on conventional lab panels that could catch potential issues early, like thyroid, ferritin, and insulin Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Christine Maren and follow her on Instagram @drchristinemaren! Check out the study on transdermal estradiol mentioned in this episode. Learn more about easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct.  Become a DUTCH Provider today to see how the DUTCH Test can profoundly change the lives of your patients.
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#170
September 15 · 1 hr 5 min
Menopause & Gut Health: The Hidden Link Between Progesterone, Anxiety & the Microbiome
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Cynthia Thurlow joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to explore the estrobolome and its role in metabolizing estrogen and progesterone, stress and cortisol as a driver of hormone imbalance, and DUTCH Test patterns that can signal gut dysfunction. Cynthia and Dr. Jaclyn also discuss: How gut health can impact hormone metabolism, not just digestion The many roles of progesterone, including GABA signaling, myelin maintenance, and neuroplasticity Cyclical symptom tracking to determine hormonal versus non-hormonal anxiety The differences between bioidentical hormone therapy, oral contraceptives, and synthetic progestins Simple daily habits to support gut and hormone health Show Notes Check out Cynthia Thurlow’s book, The Menopause Gut, and follow her on Instagram @cynthia_thurlow_! Discover easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. Become a DUTCH Provider to see how the DUTCH Test can profoundly change the lives of your patients.
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#169
September 8 · 1 hr 8 min
Functional Medicine Providers vs. AI: Using Both Without Perpetuating Myths
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Tara Scott and Mark Newman join host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to explore hormone misinformation, the differences between hormone testing methods, and the hormonal drivers often missed by single-point testing. Their conversation also covers: The benefits and risks of using AI to interpret hormone labs What single-point testing can miss when it comes to cortisol testing and cycle mapping The importance of baseline and follow-up hormone testing versus the conventional symptom to prescription pipeline How common symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and anxiety can have overlapping hormonal drivers that may not be noticeable in single-marker testing The increase in virtual care and how patients in underserved areas are gaining access to specialized hormone care Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Tara Scott and personalized hormone care through Forum Health. Follow Forum Health on Instagram @forum_health and on YouTube. Explore easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.
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#168
September 1 · 1 hr 7 min
Osteoblast vs. Osteoclast Activity: How Estrogen Decline Drives Bone Loss
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Phoebe Liebling joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to discuss bone loss, mixed messaging in fitness and nutrition culture that can damage bone density, and the critical role of estrogen in bone remodeling. Their conversation also covers: The invisible and non-linear nature of bone loss Estrogen as a stimulant for osteoblast activity and calcium retention Common habits like chronic under fueling, excess cardio, and fasted training and how they can quietly contribute to bone loss How typical DXA scans begin at 65, missing the fastest bone-loss window which occurs much earlier during perimenopause A practical framework for reversing bone loss through nutrient-dense eating, protein intake, and targeted supplementation Show Notes Learn more about Phoebe Liebling and follow her on Instagram @lieblinghealth! Explore easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.
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#167
August 25 · 1 hr 5 min
Fiber, Hormones & the Hidden Drivers of Colorectal Cancer
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, registered dietician Erin Kenney joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to explore the connection between gut health, diet, hormones, and the rising rates of colorectal cancer, particularly in younger adults. This episode also highlights: The critical role of fiber and gut microbiome diversity The link between ultra-processed food additives and gut inflammation How long-term elimination diets can reduce microbiome diversity and end up being harmful Tips for packaged food labels and proper digestion A practical colon-health checklist, including eating fermented foods daily and staying physically active Show Notes Learn more about Erin Kenney and follow her on Instagram @nutritionrewired! Explore easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. Become a DUTCH Provider to gain access to peer-reviewed and validated research, comprehensive patient reports, and expert clinical support.
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#166
August 18 · 1 hr 9 min
Testosterone Dosing in Menopause: Protocols, Pitfalls & the Evidence Gap
Send us Fan Mail Join the conversation as Dr. Tori Hudson and host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton discuss the evolution of menopause hormone therapy through the eras: pre-2002, post-Women’s Health Initiative, and the current state of menopause hormone therapy, with a particular focus on testosterone therapy. This episode also covers: Testosterone usage and dosing and the correlation with libido, mood, energy, and muscle mass Dr. Hudson’s dosing protocols and concerns about supraphysiological dosing Methods of delivery for estrogen therapy Cardiovascular disease as an underappreciated priority in menopause care The importance of individualized care over following hormone therapy trends Show Notes Check out The American Heart Association’s PREVENTä Online Calculator mentioned in this episode. Read Dr. Hudson's DUTCH Article on testosterone prescribing in postmenopausal women, and check out the testosterone guidelines discussed in this episode. Learn more about Dr. Tori Hudson and her practice, A Woman’s Time! Explore easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to peer-reviewed and validated research, comprehensive patient reports, and expert clinical support.
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#165
August 11 · 1 hr
Understanding the Root Cause of Acne: Gut Health, Hormones & Inflammation
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Mamina Turegano and host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton examine root causes for skin conditions and discuss how hormone balance, gut health, stress levels, and diet can impact skin health. This episode also highlights: The links between gut dysbiosis and acne, rosacea, and psoriasis How the balance of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can impact the skin Theories on the rise in adult female acne The effect of environmental toxins and endocrine disruptors on skin health Skin as a systemic signal of gut health, hormone health, stress, and diet Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Mamina Turegano and follow her on Instagram @dr.mamina! Learn about easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.
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#164
August 4 · 52 min
The Missing Labs in Standard Panels: CRP, Homocysteine, Ferritin & Fasting Insulin
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Dunlop joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to discuss the gap between “normal” and “optimal” lab reference ranges, commonly missed labs, and the importance of root cause assessment over treating isolated markers. Dr. Dunlop and Dr. Smeaton also discuss: How “normal” does not equate to “optimal” when it comes to standard lab ranges Addressing the foundations before testing, like nervous system regulation, gut integrity, and sleep hygiene The importance of treating the root cause rather than treating markers in silos Other labs worth requesting, such as ferritin, homocysteine, and fasting insulin The impact of simple nervous system regulation tools Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Stephanie Dunlop and Root Rx, and follow her on Instagram @docstephaniemd! Become a DUTCH Provider today to see how the DUTCH Test can profoundly change the lives of your patients.
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#163
July 28 · 1 hr
Menopause & Muscle Loss: What Women Should Know About Strength, Hormones & Hormone Therapy
Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Dr. Jaime Seeman joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to discuss muscle as an underappreciated cornerstone of women’s metabolic and hormone health, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, and the importance of resistance training. This episode also highlights: Muscle as a metabolic organ, not just a cosmetic one, and the importance of muscle tissue quality How resistance training and cardio affect body composition differently The importance of preserving fast-twitch muscle fibers for longevity later in life Strategies for protein and carbohydrate intake How the DUTCH Test can help identify where hormonal intervention can fill the gaps beyond lifestyle habits, particularly with estrogen, DHEA, and androgen levels post-menopause Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Jaime Seeman and follow her on Instagram @doctorfitandfabulous! Become a DUTCH Provider to discover how the DUTCH Test can profoundly change the lives of your patients.
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#162
July 21 · 52 min
Celiac Disease Beyond the Gut: Stress, Inflammation & HPA Axis Dysregulation
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, registered dietician and celiac disease specialist Erin Kenny joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to discuss the differences between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, the social and emotional toll of diagnosis, and common myths and misinformation. Their conversation also covers: The underestimated social and emotional burden of the disease How less symptoms do not equate to less intestinal damage Hidden drivers behind symptoms, including dysbiosis, hormonal issues, thyroid dysfunction, and nervous system dysregulation The physiological effects of stress How DUTCH testing can help identify HPA axis dysregulation Show Notes Learn more about Erin Kenny and follow her on Instagram @the_celiac_space! Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.
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#161
July 14 · 54 min
The Hormones Behind Hair Loss: Androgens, Cortisol & Thyroid
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Rubaina Dang and host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton explore the root causes of hair loss in women, particularly the information that standard labs can miss. Dr. Dang and Dr. Smeaton also dive into the hormones driving hair loss, optimal versus “normal” lab levels, and the gut-skin-hair axis. Their conversation also highlights: Dr. Dang’s recommended panels for anyone presenting with hair loss The key differences between “normal” and optimal lab ranges when it comes to hair health Stressors that can cause telogen effluvium, including illness, rapid weight loss, postpartum, or a major life event How gut dysbiosis and inflammation can affect hair follicles Dr. Dang’s rankings for popular hair-growth products and ingredients Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Rubaina Dang and follow her on Instagram @healwithdrdang! Check out our white paper on 5a-androstanediol. Become a DUTCH Provider to see how the DUTCH Test can profoundly change the lives of your patients.
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#160
July 7 · 56 min
Reassessing the Menopausal Transition: Estrogen, Bone Remodeling & Early Intervention
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Margaret Beeson joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to discuss bone health, estrogen decline during perimenopause, and the importance of family history as a predictor of bone health and risk of osteoporosis. Dr. Beeson and Dr. Smeaton also discuss: How estrogen decline contributes to bone loss Genetics and family history as the strongest predictors of risk The need for DEXA scans to occur earlier and establish a baseline of bone density The impact of estrogen and progesterone therapy on bone health and how DUTCH testing captures those hormone levels Systemic issues in primary care that can make proactive screening difficult Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Margaret Beeson and her practice, Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic. Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.
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#159
June 30 · 1 hr 14 min
Choosing the Right Progesterone Prescription: A Discussion on OMP & Vaginal Progesterone
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Felice Gersh joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton and DUTCH founder Mark Newman for a deep-dive on progesterone: its physiological roles, concerns around standard-of-care prescribing practices, and more. Their conversation also explores: Progesterone’s role as more than an endometrial protectant Supraphysiologic allopregnanolone created by oral micronized progesterone The physiological benefits of cyclic dosing versus continuous dosing How the gut microbiome impacts progesterone metabolism The need for more research on oral micronized progesterone and dosing methods Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Gersh’s practice Integrative Medical Group of Irvine and check out her books! Read Dr. Smeaton’s article on oral micronized progesterone in menopause. Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.
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#158
June 23 · 55 min
Optimizing GLP-1 Outcomes: Starting, Managing & Discontinuing Therapy
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Bindiya Gandhi joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to explore GLP-1 receptor agonists through a whole-person, root-cause lens with a particular focus on women’s health. Their discussion also covers: How GLP-1s work, who benefits most, and how to cease therapy successfully The role of leptin resistance in weight struggles The risk of muscle loss and bone health during GLP-1 therapy Using GLP-1s as part of a comprehensive protocol, including optimizing gut health, strength training, and managing cortisol and sex hormones Considerations for menopausal women using hormone therapy in addition to GLP-1s Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Bindiya Gandhi and follow her on Instagram @drbindiyamd! Check out our DUTCH Article on GLP-1s and perimenopause. Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to peer-reviewed and validated research, comprehensive patient reports, and expert clinical support.
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#157
June 16 · 59 min
Chronic Stress, Hormones & Healing from the Inside Out
Send us Fan Mail This conversation between Dr. Sonya Jensen and host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton covers the science of how stress disrupts female hormone health and the emotions women carry that perpetuate that disruption. They also discuss the physiological mechanisms of chronic stress and how hormone testing can tell patients their stress story. This episode also highlights: How chronic stress and sustained cortisol production can lead to suppressed progesterone The downstream effects of resentment and unexpressed emotion How a patient’s emotional history connects to their symptoms The cortisol/cortisone ratio and what it can tell practitioners and patients about fatigue, low motivation, anxiety, and burnout Using the Cortisol Awakening Response on the DUTCH Plus as a clinical conversation tool Show Notes Learn more about Dr. Sonya Jensen and follow her on Instagram @drsonyajensen! Check out Dr. Sonya’s book, Heal Your Hormones, Reclaim Yourself. Read the ovarian aging study mentioned in this episode. Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.
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