I've only really known about my ADHD diagnosis for a few years. I had joked about it for years and had friends joke about it for years, but it wasn't until my kids were assessed that I really leaned into identifying as a person with ADHD.  Working with women for the last 15 years has gifted me the opportunity to help identify ADHD in my patients, and to help them make decisions on how to support themselves.  In today's episode, we're joined by Dr. Kate Henry, a Naturopathic Doctor whom I connected with over the research on ADHD and our personal experiences. This episode will help you understand your own brain a little better, and give you the first few steps you need to take to get assessed and taken care of.  We tackle topics such as The role of diet (how your ADHD chooses your foods and how your foods worsen your symptoms).  The role of medication.  The role of accurate diagnosis (especially if you've never been flagged before).  How to get help (even with the small things).  If you want to read Kate's free resources and get connected with her, you can visit her website here. 

In today's episode, I'm joined by my colleague, Dr. Andrea Gri, who is one of the NDs in my office in Ontario. We started this conversation one day in the hallway of the office (where so many magical conversations happen).   If we asked you to invest money that had a guaranteed return on investment, it would probably feel like a no-brainer.   Why? Partly because we value money.   So do you value your health the same way?   In today's episode, we talk about the small investments you can make in yourself to take steps forward in your health journey. We share the things that our most successful patients have in common and what the research says about the disconnect between "knowing" and "doing". Andrea and I share our personal choices to help ourselves stay well as working moms and give you some ideas for how you can get started.   Andrea is running a free community event Thursday, November 23 at 7 pm on hormonal health and metabolism. The event requires registration. You can register here to get access to both the workbook and the live event (or recording if you can't make it). Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_8d1YG2RISqGkTUj07e1owQ   Andrea also works at our office in Burlington and you can reach out to her at www.clarityhealthburlington.ca if you're ready to start your health journey.

Today's episode calls out a new application for an old lab test that you've probably never heard of, or had run on your physical exam.  We're talking about Urate.  If you HAVE heard of this test, you probably have gout, or know someone with gout. That's because this lab test (historically) has only been used to assess people for gout.  In today's episode, we talk about the "new" use for urate testing that will surprise you, and why I'd advocate for the following changes for how we decide to test urate.  We should be testing women for uric acid levels if they have no other obvious cardiovascular risks.  We should be testing women for uric acid if they have a family history of gout, but don't have gout themselves.  We should be re-testing uric acid in women after they transition into menopause.  We shouldn't tolerate the current reference range in both Canada and the US, because the reference range is focused on gout.    I know that talking about cardiovascular disease isn't exciting, but what IS exciting is finding a lab test that helps us predict your future risk of disease. Given that cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer of women, any hints about your risk are important to me. I'd love it if it was important to you too. 

I love coffee.  But I've also tried to quit about 100 times in my 20s because I was worried about the effect of coffee on my health and hormones.  In today's episode, we talk about the actual research (and lack of) for caffeine on female sex hormones and why you can guilt-free have a cup of coffee.  We also talk about how to manage your caffeine intake to help support your day to prevent anxiety, and sleep disturbance or to use your coffee as a cover-up for your poor nutrition.  I share what my personal coffee situation looks like these days, what machines I need in my life to help me with my coffee and what you should put in your coffee to have the best cup.  If you don't follow me on Instagram, most of the memes I post are about coffee and health. You should follow me there to laugh along with me about how much we love coffee. You can find me at www.instagram.com/drjordannd 

In this solo episode, I give you the knowledge and understanding of your bladder changes over the age of 40, and the things you can do to reduce the frequency of UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections).  The bladder changes when hormones change. The microbiome changes, bladder tone changes and our sensations in our bladder change. This perfect storm can make women more susceptible to infections (UTIs) and increase symptoms such as overactive bladder and painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis).  We talk about what to do if you get an acute UTI (and then repeat the answer about 10 times to really hit this one home), what to eat to avoid getting a UTI (it's not what you think) and how hormone therapy supports our bladder.  If you're in Ontario and you're struggling with bladder symptoms, my team at Clarity Health can support people in menopause all across Ontario. Fill in a web inquiry at www.clarityhealthburlington.ca .  One of our patient care coordinators will call you and set you up with the doctor of your dreams. 

Just as an FYI, we swear a lot in this one. Totally unapologetically. The discussion requires swearing.    Today I have the pleasure of gifting you this incredibly important and raw conversation with Dr. Jody Carrington. A psychologist who is changing the world by teaching us about empathy, connection and true friendship. We cut through some important topics such as motherhood, generational roles, friendships that end and feminine leadership.    The entire time we recorded I wasn’t sure if I was going to laugh or cry from feeling seen.    We talked about my office anti-harassment voicemail, my “failed” friendships, our partners taking over “mom roles,” and how frigging hard it is being a leader.    Dr. Jody’s newest book (coincidentally named Feeling Seen) is about creating connections as the path to health and how to build resiliency in yourself through emotional regulation.    In Jody’s words, “We need the big people to be okay. And we’re not”.    Jody also has a podcast, an amazing Instagram account and you can learn more about her on her website. 

When I opened my clinic, 15 years ago, my tagline was "Be open to the possibility of change."  I felt like my role was to help people think differently about their health, to get out of their own way and to be curious about what health care could be like.  In today's podcast, we talk about whether or not your doctor has to believe you in order for you to get better. My argument is that for the most part, they don't need to agree with you or believe you for you to get care.  I also introduce the uncomfortable idea that sometimes, our doctors are right. And when we've carried around beliefs for a long time, it can be hard to hear their perspectives.  If you've ever felt like your doctor's bedside manner or delivery were a major barrier to you getting better, or if you've ever felt like your story fell flat when you shared it, tune in. I think I'll change your mind about how to think about your health care visits.  If you're a health care practitioner who wants to get better at communication with your patients, our Practice Negotiator course is open for enrollment until November 9th, 2023. You can register here: https://discover.theconfidentclinicianclub.com/practice-negotiator-register-1  

If you've ever wondered if your thyroid is getting in the way of your metabolism and weight goals, this episode is for you.  Whether you've struggled with hypothyroidism, or have just been curious about your thyroid, I'm sure you've come across many claims that treating your thyroid will "solve" your metabolism or weight problems.  In today's episode, we break down: What's real and what's myth (and what's water weight) and whether treating your thyroid will actually help your metabolism or not. Which lab tests you should have if you're suspicious of your thyroid.  What to expect from thyroid medication if you need it.  How we need to think about the thyroid in the bigger picture of your health.  People with low thyroid have a myriad of challenges in managing their metabolism. When patients don't feel well, their ability to manage their nutrition and movement is impaired. This episode will help you feel like your thyroid is more connected to your overall health (and not the sole cause of how you feel).     

There is nobody happier than I am that the knowledge about perimenopause is starting to permeate pop culture and general health information.  But like every pendulum, we often swing things WAY WAY too far.  What I mean is that every person with ovaries who has learned about perimenopause now thinks that every single symptom that is happening to them is hormonal and that they are knocking on menopause's door.  This podcast episode is going to help balance out that pendulum and teach you "what else it could be" if you're experiencing fatigue, brain fog, cycle changes or other symptoms.  Not everything is perimenopause and I want you to know the "other" possibilities so you can have great conversations with your practitioner rather than feeling like your feelings fall on deaf ears.  If you're struggling with symptoms over 40 I am a BIG advocate of you having a hormonally-literate practitioner, but also, there are specific blood tests and considerations that need to happen to ensure that we've ruled out everything else.  If you live in Ontario and are in need of support from a health team that understands hormonal transitions, reach out to us at Clarity Health. Fill in a web inquiry at www.clarityhealthburlington.ca and reference the podcast. It will help us place you with a practitioner that excels in the areas that you need support. 

Do you wear a "wearable"? This is one of the most common questions I get asked on Instagram (and if you don't follow me, head over to www.instagram.com/drjordannd to follow along.  In this episode we cover The Apple Watch Whoop The Oura ring Fitbit I share my experience with each of them (yes I've tried them all) what I loved or hated about each of them and whether or not they actually helped me meet my goals.  We talk about what you're tracking, why you're tracking it and how to be thoughtful about the choice.  Before you open your wallet, have a listen and see whether or not you need to get yourself a wearable to meet your goals.  I do have a referral link for an Oura ring (I don't get a kickback or any compensation from the company) that gives you $40 off. You can check it out here.