Thyroid & Fertility: Looking beyond "normal" labs with Nicole Fennell MS, RDN, LD

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Sarah Thompson, L.Ac., CFMP, and doula, for a deep dive into the nutritional and functional medicine strategies that support a healthy pregnancy and reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. They explore the specific dietary patterns shown to lower risk for pregnancy-induced hypertension, key lifestyle interventions that offer protection, and the essential lab markers—like uric acid, homocysteine, and vitamin D—that can provide early insight into a patient’s risk profile. Sarah shares how genetic polymorphisms can influence nutrient metabolism and pre-eclampsia risk, offering guidance on when to consider genetic testing. The episode wraps with actionable tips on preparing the body for the energetic demands of childbirth through targeted nutritional strategies.

On this week's episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Elyse Wagner, founder of A Nourished Life and A Nourished Business Academy. On this episode, Elyse shares:  How to unravel and rewrite the deep-rooted beliefs and values that shape our habits What mindset shifts can help women feel more empowered and in control during their fertility journey? How women can reframe negative self-talk and cultivate a more positive, nourishing mindset Powerful affirmations to keep you on the right track during your fertility journey Thank you to NEEDED for sponsoring this episode. Find the highest quality perinatal nutrition at thisisneeded.com and use code FUNCTIONALFERTILITY for 20% off your first order! 

On this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Functional Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Nicole Fennell to unpack the vital connection between thyroid health and fertility. If you’re trying to conceive, you’ve likely heard about the importance of thyroid function—but did you know that even “normal” lab results don’t always tell the full story? Nicole shares why some patients still struggle with infertility despite seemingly optimal thyroid levels, the key nutrients that support both thyroid and reproductive health, and what your body temperature might reveal about your hormones. Plus, we tackle listener questions on Hashimoto’s, medication, and persistent hair shedding. If you’re looking to optimize your thyroid for a healthy conception, this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles offers a comprehensive review of adrenal health as it relates to fertility. She covers:  The hormones secreted by the adrenal glands, including cortisol and DHEA The impact of chronically elevated cortisol on the reproductive system, and the best way to test cortisol  The role of DHEA in follicular development, and how production of DHEA changes as we age The benefits of DHEA supplementation for those with poor ovarian response The most impactful lifestyle factors and supplementation to support health in the HPA-axis Thank you to Needed for sponsoring this episode! This week's fertility supplement sspotlight features Needed Stress Support, an evidence-based blend of adaptogenic botanicals designed to support healthy function of the HPA Axis. Head to thisisneeded.com and use code FUNCTIONALFERTILITY for 20% off your first month of Needed products!

On this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Dr. Yousef Elyaman to explore the fascinating connection between PCOS, uric acid, and inflammation - and how these factors influence metabolic and reproductive health! Dr. Elyaman unpacks why uric acid might be elevated in people with PCOS, its role in chronic inflammation, and why screening for it is critical in conditions like pre-eclampsia. We dive into how fructose impacts uric acid levels and which foods and drinks to be cautious about. Plus, we tackle myths, testing recommendations, and actionable tips for managing uric acid to support fertility and overall health.  This episode is sponsored by NEEDED, my most trusted perinatal nutrition brand. Tune in to learn about how I incorporate Needed products into my preconception plans, and head to thisisneeded.com and use code FUNCTIONALFERTILITY for 20% of your first order!

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, host Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by Tiny Healthy Founder and CEO, Cheryl Sew Hoy. In this episode, Cheryl reviews vaginal "community state types," describing specific microbial compositions that can influence pregnancy outcomes. Even further, Cheryl discusses the connection between gut health and fertility outcomes, and the connection between the gut and vaginal micorbiome. Finally, Cheryl discusses ongoing clinical research investigating the influence of the gut and vaginal microbiome on IVF outcomes.  Thank you to Needed for sponsoring this episode! Needed's pre-and-probiotic supplement is highlighted in this episode, as this supplement contains a blend of bacterial species that have been shown to support the health of the gut and vaginal microbiome. Head to thisisneeded.com and use code FUNCTIONALFERTILITY for 20% off your first order! 

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles is joined by holistic fertility expert Dr. Aumatma Simmons to discuss the complexities of unexplained infertility, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The conversation begins with the frustration surrounding a diagnosis of unexplained infertility and emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive lab workup to uncover underlying conditions. Dr. Aumatma shares her insights on diagnosing and treating premature ovarian insufficiency, including key interventions she uses in her practice. The discussion transitions to recurrent pregnancy loss, detailing the laboratory workup she offers, common patterns observed, and the role of advanced testing such as sperm DNA fragmentation in cases involving male partners. This episode provides practical, evidence-based guidance for patients navigating these challenging fertility scenarios.

In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles chats with Ximena Vengoechea, author of The Life Audit! In this episode, you'll learn:  - What is The Life Audit, and how can it benefit you on your fertility journey? - How performing a Life Audit help you to gain clarity, assemble a network, and take aligned action towards the life you've always wanted - What materials and tools you need to successfully conduct your own Life Audit    If you're working to gain clarity about what you want for your life, fertility journey, or parenthood experience - it's time for a Life Audit! Tune in to hear more about the process and to get the inside scoop (full of pro-tips) from Life Audit creator Ximena Vengoechea.    Thanks to NEEDED for sponsoring this episode! Use code FUNCTIONALFERTILITY for 20% of your purchase at thisisneeded.com. 

When you're trying to conceive, there is nothing more frightening than finding out you aren't ovulating regularly. If you have found yourself in this startling situation, this episode will make the investigation less spooky and more strategic.  In this episode of the Functional Fertility podcast, Dr. Kalea Wattles reviews some of the most common causes of anovulation, including PCOS, hypothalamic amenorrhea, adrenal dysfunction, hypothyroidism, elevated prolactin, and illness or fever. We’ll discuss how to test for these conditions and some tricks (treats?) for managing them!  Thank you to NEEDED for sponsoring this episode! Functional Fertility podcast listeners can get 20% off their first month of Needed products by visiting thisisneeded.com and using code FUNCTIONALFERTILITY. 

This episode sponsored by NEEDED! Use code FUNCTIONALFERTILITY at thisisneeded.com for 20% off your first month of products! In this episode of the Functional Fertility Podcast, we explore how manual therapy can unlock new possibilities for those facing unexplained infertility. Our guests Larry Wurn, CEO, LMT, and Sharon Hepburn, COO, PT, LMT from Clear Passage Therapies review the role of adhesions in fertility challenges, share success stories of patients with elevated FSH who improved with treatment, and explain how manual therapy influences the ovaries, cranium, and dura. We discuss how manual therapy can open blocked fallopian tubes without surgery and can help prepare the endometrium for implantation. We also cover an effective protocol for treating endometriosis, exploring when therapy is best utilized—before or after surgery. The episode wraps with a powerful success story using the Clear Passage Approach, offering hope for those navigating complex fertility journeys.