Normal Is Not Optimal: What Your Hormone Labs May Be Missing | Hotness Ep 24
Dr. Liz Lyster
19 views
“Normal is not optimal.”
That is the line I want you to keep from this conversation.
Because there is a big difference between a lab result being technically “normal” and you actually feeling well.
In this episode of Hotness, I’m joined by Donna White, who has spent more than 30 years teaching healthcare providers about hormones. And she made a point that stopped me: a reference range can tell you whether your result falls within a broad statistical range. It does not necessarily tell you whether your hormones are supporting how you want to feel.
We talk about what can get missed when hormone care becomes a quick prescription instead of a deeper look at the whole picture.
Donna shares her own story, too. In her twenties, she struggled with severe PMS, acne, headaches, and other symptoms and was offered birth control and an anti-anxiety medication. Instead of simply covering up the symptoms, she wanted to understand what was happening underneath them.
That question eventually led her into more than three decades of work in hormone education.
We get into the physiology of hormones as signaling molecules, and why their effects extend far beyond reproductive health. Hormones can influence sleep, mood, focus, metabolism, energy, and more.
We also talk about why the route of hormone delivery matters, why a meaningful hormone evaluation involves more than just checking estrogen and progesterone, and why thyroid function, stress hormones, insulin, and blood sugar can all be part of the bigger picture.
And yes, we talk about the FDA's recent changes to menopausal hormone therapy labeling.
In November 2025, the FDA initiated changes to remove cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and probable dementia risk statements from the boxed warnings for menopausal hormone therapy. In February 2026, the FDA approved labeling changes for six MHT products. Importantly, these changes do not mean hormone therapy is right for everyone or eliminate all risks; the FDA continues to describe individualized benefit-risk discussions as important.
For women with a uterus using systemic estrogen alone, the boxed warning regarding endometrial cancer remains—one reason a progestogen may be prescribed alongside estrogen.
So this episode isn't about telling you that everyone needs hormones.
It's about asking better questions.
What are you testing?
What does the full picture look like?
What symptoms are you experiencing?
And are you being treated as a whole person—or simply as a number inside a reference range?
In this episode, we talk about:
• Why “normal” does not always mean optimal
• How hormone reference ranges are used
• What hormones actually do throughout the body
• Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid function
• Why route of hormone delivery matters
• Oral versus transdermal hormone therapy
• Why blood sugar, insulin, and stress hormones matter
• What a more comprehensive hormone evaluation can look like
• What the FDA's 2025–2026 MHT labeling changes actually mean
• Why women deserve informed conversations about their options
• Questions to ask when looking for a hormone-informed provider
You are allowed to ask questions.
You are allowed to ask what is being tested and why.
And you are allowed to keep looking for answers when “everything is normal” doesn't match how you actually feel.
Because normal is not always optimal.
🎁 Get my free Midlife Guide for practical support for your mind, body, and soul: drlizmd.com/hotness
If this episode made you think differently about your own hormone health, subscribe to Hotness, like this episode, and share it with someone who has ever been told, “Your labs are normal,” while still not feeling like herself.
#HotnessPodcast #Menopause #HormoneHealth #HormoneTherapy #HRT #MenopauseHealth #WomensHealth #MidlifeHealth #Hormones
💡 Stay Connected for More Health Insights:
➡️ Facebook: Facebook: DrLizLyster
➡️ Instagram: Instagram: drlizlyster
➡️ Website: https://drlizmd.com
📞 Book a Free Consultation:
Ready to take control of your hormone health? Schedule your free consultation here: https://drlizmd.com/book-a-call
👩🦳 Join My Menopause Support Group:
If you're navigating menopause and looking for support, community, and resources, join my private group here: Facebook: menopausesupportwithdrliz
📚 Check Out My Books:
Explore my books to learn even more about hormone health and thriving in midlife: https://drlizmd.com/books
Make sure to subscribe and click the notification bell 🔔 to stay updated on the latest tips for living your BEST life!
Normal Is Not Optimal: What Your Hormone Labs May Be Missing | Hotness Ep 24
Dr. Liz Lyster
19 views
“Normal is not optimal.”
That is the line I want you to keep from this conversation.
Because there is a big difference between a lab result being technically “normal” and you actually feeling well.
In this episode of Hotness, I’m joined by Donna White, who has spent more than 30 years teaching healthcare providers about hormones. And she made a point that stopped me: a reference range can tell you whether your result falls within a broad statistical range. It does not necessarily tell you whether your hormones are supporting how you want to feel.
We talk about what can get missed when hormone care becomes a quick prescription instead of a deeper look at the whole picture.
Donna shares her own story, too. In her twenties, she struggled with severe PMS, acne, headaches, and other symptoms and was offered birth control and an anti-anxiety medication. Instead of simply covering up the symptoms, she wanted to understand what was happening underneath them.
That question eventually led her into more than three decades of work in hormone education.
We get into the physiology of hormones as signaling molecules, and why their effects extend far beyond reproductive health. Hormones can influence sleep, mood, focus, metabolism, energy, and more.
We also talk about why the route of hormone delivery matters, why a meaningful hormone evaluation involves more than just checking estrogen and progesterone, and why thyroid function, stress hormones, insulin, and blood sugar can all be part of the bigger picture.
And yes, we talk about the FDA's recent changes to menopausal hormone therapy labeling.
In November 2025, the FDA initiated changes to remove cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and probable dementia risk statements from the boxed warnings for menopausal hormone therapy. In February 2026, the FDA approved labeling changes for six MHT products. Importantly, these changes do not mean hormone therapy is right for everyone or eliminate all risks; the FDA continues to describe individualized benefit-risk discussions as important.
For women with a uterus using systemic estrogen alone, the boxed warning regarding endometrial cancer remains—one reason a progestogen may be prescribed alongside estrogen.
So this episode isn't about telling you that everyone needs hormones.
It's about asking better questions.
What are you testing?
What does the full picture look like?
What symptoms are you experiencing?
And are you being treated as a whole person—or simply as a number inside a reference range?
In this episode, we talk about:
• Why “normal” does not always mean optimal
• How hormone reference ranges are used
• What hormones actually do throughout the body
• Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid function
• Why route of hormone delivery matters
• Oral versus transdermal hormone therapy
• Why blood sugar, insulin, and stress hormones matter
• What a more comprehensive hormone evaluation can look like
• What the FDA's 2025–2026 MHT labeling changes actually mean
• Why women deserve informed conversations about their options
• Questions to ask when looking for a hormone-informed provider
You are allowed to ask questions.
You are allowed to ask what is being tested and why.
And you are allowed to keep looking for answers when “everything is normal” doesn't match how you actually feel.
Because normal is not always optimal.
🎁 Get my free Midlife Guide for practical support for your mind, body, and soul: drlizmd.com/hotness
If this episode made you think differently about your own hormone health, subscribe to Hotness, like this episode, and share it with someone who has ever been told, “Your labs are normal,” while still not feeling like herself.
#HotnessPodcast #Menopause #HormoneHealth #HormoneTherapy #HRT #MenopauseHealth #WomensHealth #MidlifeHealth #Hormones
💡 Stay Connected for More Health Insights:
➡️ Facebook: Facebook: DrLizLyster
➡️ Instagram: Instagram: drlizlyster
➡️ Website: https://drlizmd.com
📞 Book a Free Consultation:
Ready to take control of your hormone health? Schedule your free consultation here: https://drlizmd.com/book-a-call
👩🦳 Join My Menopause Support Group:
If you're navigating menopause and looking for support, community, and resources, join my private group here: Facebook: menopausesupportwithdrliz
📚 Check Out My Books:
Explore my books to learn even more about hormone health and thriving in midlife: https://drlizmd.com/books
Make sure to subscribe and click the notification bell 🔔 to stay updated on the latest tips for living your BEST life!