73. Dr. Robin Berzin: Why “Normal” Labs Are Failing Women (and What to Ask For Instead)

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Jun 24, 2025

Dr. Robin Berzin, a Columbia-trained MD and founder of Parsley Health, shares her insights on how functional medicine can reveal hidden health imbalances often overlooked in traditional care. She discusses the critical connections between blood sugar, hormones, and chronic symptoms like fatigue and fertility issues. The conversation dives into her innovative 'brains, bones, and booty' framework for women's health, advocating for a holistic, preventive approach. Listeners will gain valuable tips on finding the right healthcare provider and navigating challenges in the system.

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INSIGHT

Functional Medicine's Root Cause Approach

Functional medicine examines root causes by assessing hundreds of biomarkers rather than a few tests.
It connects body systems to reveal issues like gut health affecting brain fog and hormonal imbalances.

ADVICE

Fix Blood Sugar to Balance Hormones

Address blood sugar imbalances to correct hormonal disruptions causing symptoms like irregular periods or fertility issues.
Focus on metabolic health to restore hormone balance rather than simply managing symptoms with hormones.

ANECDOTE

Fertility Restored Without IVF

A patient with thyroid cancer and PCOS was told she'd need IVF but conceived three children naturally after functional medicine treatment.
Parsley's approach regulated her blood sugar and periods without invasive fertility interventions.

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What if your bloating, fatigue, or fertility struggles aren’t separate issues, but signs of a deeper imbalance no one’s connected yet? In this episode of Extend, I’m joined by Dr. Robin Berzin, founder of Parsley Health, and we dig into how functional medicine uncovers the why behind your symptoms and why conventional care keeps missing it.

We talk about the most overlooked root causes of chronic illness, the truth about blood sugar and hormones, and why fertility issues are often metabolic in disguise. You’ll also learn how functional medicine works in real life, how to find the right provider, and why Dr. Berzin created her “brains, bones, and booty” framework for aging well—especially for women.

Dr. Robin Berzin is a Columbia-trained MD, pioneer in reimagining primary care and author of State Change. She’s helped thousands of patients get off the prescription treadmill and finally feel like themselves again.

We Also Discuss:

The wake-up call that changed everything
Why most functional medicine was failing
How functional care actually works
The blood sugar-hormone connection no one talks about
Brains, bones, and booty: the new longevity framework for women
The real reason your mental health symptoms won’t go away
What no one tells women between pregnancy and menopause
The hidden crisis in kids’ health—and what to do about it

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Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Dr. Robin Berzin:

Instagram: @robinberzinmd Instagram:@parsleyhealth Website: https://robinberzinmd.com