355. Lab Work in HA: What Does It Look Like and When Do You Pull It and How Do You Use It?

In this episode of The HA Podcast, Dani and Ashley sit down with registered dietitian and FullWell founder Ayla Barmmer to break down what actually matters when it comes to prenatal nutrition, fertility, and supplementation.If you’ve ever wondered whether you really need a prenatal, if food alone is enough, or why so many supplements fall short… this episode is for you.Ayla shares how working with women in fertility clinics revealed a massive gap in care (hint: restriction right before pregnancy is NOT it), and how that led her to create a practitioner-trusted prenatal rooted in real clinical experience and evidence.This conversation goes deep into the why behind prenatals, the nutrients most women are deficient in, and the misinformation that keeps women undernourished during one of the most critical stages of life.We cover:Why nutrition for fertility is often misunderstood (and mismanaged)The biggest gaps in most prenatal vitaminsWhy food alone may not meet nutrient needs todayThe impact of stress on nutrient depletion and fertilityKey nutrients for pregnancy (and why most women aren’t getting enough):CholineVitamin DMagnesiumCalciumIronWhy high-quality prenatals require multiple capsules (and why that’s a good thing)Folic acid vs methylfolate (and why this topic is so controversial)The truth about vitamin A and pregnancy safetyWhether organ meats alone are enough for prenatal nutritionWhy iron should be individualized (and not always included in prenatals)How to think about supplementation in HA recovery and preconceptionKey Takeaway:Your body doesn’t respond to intentions, it responds to the environment you create.And when it comes to fertility, ovulation, and pregnancy, that environment requires more nutrients, more consistency, and more support than most women realize.Learn more about FullWell:https://fullwellfertility.com/For Pregnancy Lab Ranges:https://perinatology.com/Connect with Ayla:https://substack.com/@aylabarmmerhttps://www.instagram.com/aylabarmmer/Work 1:1 with us to get your period backhttp://thehasociety.com/coachingVisit us on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/c/danisheriffFollow us on IGhttp://instagram.com/thehasocietyhttp://instagram.com/danisheriffhttps://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

Learn more about the next Rest Retreathttps://thehasociety.com/retreatIn today’s episode, we’re answering two powerful (and very common) questions we see during hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) recovery:1. Can you work out 4x per week during recovery? One listener shares that she’s gained weight, regained two periods, and is feeling more stable—but recently increased her training from 3 to 4 days per week (upper/lower split with longer sessions).We break down:Whether 4 workouts per week is appropriate at this stageThe difference between “feeling fine” vs. true recovery safetyHow intensity, volume, and recovery all matter more than just frequencySigns your body might still be under stress (even if cycles have started returning)How to approach exercise without risking setbacks2. Why does anxiety increase during recovery? Another listener opens up about feeling more anxious now than before recovery—despite eating 3000+ calories and not exercising.We dive into:Why recovery can actually heighten anxiety (and why this is normal)The mental shift from control → uncertaintyObsessive tracking of “micro wins” (BBT, ovulation signs, etc.)How healing your body can temporarily dysregulate your mindPractical ways to reduce anxiety and feel more grounded during this phaseJoin The HA Societyhttp://thehasociety.com/joinWork 1:1 with us to get your period backhttp://thehasociety.com/coachingFollow us on IGhttp://instagram.com/thehasocietyhttp://instagram.com/danisheriffhttps://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarciaThe Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

In this episode, Dani, Ashley, and Mishi break down the lesser-known symptoms of hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) and why a missing period is often just the tip of the iceberg.From digestive issues to bone loss like osteopenia and osteoporosis, many of the symptoms we see in practice feel like “medical mysteries”… or are even normalized as part of the female experience. Some are unexpectedly praised, like low blood pressure, despite being signs of a deeper issue.We dive into how all of these symptoms connect back to a low energy state and why your body may be shutting things down in response.The good news?Many of these symptoms begin to resolve naturally when your body is properly nourished and energy is restored.If you’ve been dealing with confusing symptoms and a missing period, this episode will help you connect the dots and understand what your body is really trying to tell you.We have a Library of articles from elevated AST, low ferritin and digestive issues:https://www.thehasociety.com/articlesJoin the Mastermindhttps://holistichapractitioner.com/mastermindWork 1:1 with us to get your period backhttp://thehasociety.com/coachingVisit us on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/c/danisheriffFollow us on IGhttp://instagram.com/thehasocietyhttp://instagram.com/danisheriffhttps://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarciaThe Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

In this episode, Dani, Mishi, and Abby sit down to unpack a question that most people think they know the answer to…What does it actually mean to be healthy?Because right now, we’re being flooded with wellness advice, trends, and “healthy” lifestyles…But much of what’s being sold as health is actually just a look. And that’s where things start to break down.In this conversation, we challenge the mainstream definition of health and bring it back to what actually matters:👉 your physiology👉 your menstrual cycle👉 and your overall well-being (not just how your body looks)We talk about why your cycle should be front and center in the health conversation and how ignoring it is one of the biggest blind spots in modern wellness.In this episode, we cover:Why most “health” advice is actually selling you an aestheticThe difference between looking healthy vs. being healthyWhy your menstrual cycle is a key indicator of true healthHow to use your cycle (charting/FAM) as a diagnostic toolThe disconnect between diet culture and female physiologyHow societal conditioning shapes your definition of healthThe mental and emotional side of health (that often gets ignored)Why many women are praised for habits that are actually harming themHow to redefine health in a way that actually supports your bodyKey Takeaway:Health isn’t something you can see at a glance.It’s reflected in how your body is functioning and for women, your menstrual cycle is one of the clearest signals you have.If your version of health is costing you your cycle, your energy, or your relationship with food…it’s worth asking: 👉 Is it actually health? Or just what you’ve been taught to chase?Metabolism article and video:https://www.thehasociety.com/articles/why-weight-gain-happens-during-hypothalamic-amenorrhea-recoveryLearn more about HHAP:https://www.holistichapractitioner.com/Work 1:1 with us to get your period backhttp://thehasociety.com/coachingVisit us on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/c/danisheriffFollow us on IGhttp://instagram.com/thehasocietyhttp://instagram.com/danisheriffhttps://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarciahttps://www.instagram.com/abbylowekey/The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

In this episode, I sit down with past client and HHAP graduate, Lucy C, to share her powerful recovery story from a long-standing eating disorder and hypothalamic amenorrhea.Lucy opens up about how her eating disorder began early in life as a response to bullying, and how it evolved into a severe coping mechanism that impacted both her physical and mental health for years.In this episode we cover:The reality of living with a severe eating disorderNavigating recovery while following a vegan lifestyleThe moment Lucy surrendered to the recovery process and allowed her body to changeHow weight gain played a crucial role in both her mental and physical healingBeing advised to go on HRT and how she navigated that decisionWhat actually helped her restore her cycle after years of HALucy also shares what it’s been like stepping into the role of a practitioner through the HHAP certification, and how she now supports other women on similar journeys.This episode is a reminder that no matter how long you’ve been struggling, you are not too far gone to heal.Become a HHAP Coach:https://www.holistichapractitioner.com/Work 1:1 with us to get your period backhttp://thehasociety.com/coachingVisit us on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/c/danisheriffTry our beef liver & oyster:https://www.joolwellness.com/Follow us on IGhttp://instagram.com/thehasocietyhttp://instagram.com/danisheriffhttps://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarciaThe Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

Lucy (Dr. Weeks), a student of the HHAP program, comes on the show today to share her story of amenorrhea, many unsuccessful rounds of IVF, two successful rounds of IVF, her experience as a student doctor and practicing doctor who is also dealing with this issue.Join The Period Recovery Mastermindhttps://holistichapractitioner.com/mastermindWork 1:1 with us to get your period backhttp://thehasociety.com/coachingVisit us on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/c/danisheriffThe Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

In this episode we're talking about a topic of conversation that has been coming up a lot inside of The HA Society (our community for women with HA) so I wanted to share it.When you're a highly motivated, strong willed and disciplined woman, it's hard to put those things down in the name of rest. For so long your body has been a vehicle for you to achieve, achieve, achieve... so when your body finally tells you enough ... in the way of losing your period, chronic fatigue, infertility - whatever it is, and you have to listen... listening to it is hard. It's like hearing from a neglected friend how you've hurt them but also not really wanting to change your treatment of them. You desire to want to change, but you don't really want to. That's a hard spot. Let's talk about it!Join the Mastermindhttps://holistichapractitioner.com/mastermindWork 1:1 with us to get your period backhttp://thehasociety.com/coachingVisit us on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/c/danisheriffFollow us on IGhttp://instagram.com/thehasocietyhttp://instagram.com/danisheriffhttps://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarciaThe Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

This podcast episode walks through how we use lab work before working with a woman with hypothalamic amenorrhea, when we use and how to understand it for your missing period.Join the Mastermindhttps://holistichapractitioner.com/mastermindBecome a Coach:https://www.holistichapractitioner.com/Get the Lab Guidehttps://thehasociety.com/labguideWork 1:1 with us to get your period backhttp://thehasociety.com/coachingVisit us on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/c/danisheriffFollow us on IGhttp://instagram.com/thehasocietyhttp://instagram.com/danisheriffhttps://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarciaThe Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

For 17 years, Laura lived without a cycle.She was told not to worry.She wasn’t trying to get pregnant.So she assumed she had time.She did have hypothalamic amenorrhea.And she believed she could recover whenever she was ready.Laura joined the Holistic HA Practitioner (HHAP) Certification to better understand her own body. As she worked through the lab modules and we reviewed her bloodwork together, something became clear: Her HA had progressed into Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI).In this episode, we talk about:• Being dismissed because you’re “not trying for kids”• Assuming HA is always reversible• The danger of waiting too long• The moment you realize your window may have closed• The grief, regret, and responsibility that comes with thatThis is not a fear-based episode.It’s an honest one.If you’re living in quasi-recovery, telling yourself you’ll address it “one day,” this conversation matters.Laura joined HHAP to understand her own labs and that education is what revealed the shift.Enrollment for the Holistic HA Practitioner Certification opens March 13-17th.Because understanding your hormones shouldn’t take 17 years.Join The HHAP Programhttps://www.holistichapractitioner.com/Join the Mastermindhttps://holistichapractitioner.com/mastermindGet the Lab Guidehttps://thehasociety.com/labguideWork 1:1 with us to get your period backhttp://thehasociety.com/coachingVisit us on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/c/danisheriffFollow us on IGhttp://instagram.com/thehasocietyhttp://instagram.com/danisheriffhttps://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarciaThe Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

In this episode Ashley shares a case study about her client who chased the PCOS misdiagnosis for 10+ years...when it was HA all along.Interesting in taking this certification? Here's what you can do:Register for the mastermind https://holistichapractitioner.com/mastermindApply for the program (it opens October 14th!): https://holistichapractitioner.com/enrollVisit us on YouTubehttps://youtube.com/c/danisheriffFollow us on IGhttp://instagram.com/thehasocietyhttp://instagram.com/danisheriffhttps://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarciaThe Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.