Episode 169

Published September 8, 2026

In this episode, Dr. Tara Scott and Mark Newman join host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to explore hormone misinformation, the differences between hormone testing methods, and the hormonal drivers often missed by single-point testing.

Their conversation also covers:

• The benefits and risks of using AI to interpret hormone labs
• What single-point testing can miss when it comes to cortisol testing and cycle mapping
• The importance of baseline and follow-up hormone testing versus the conventional symptom to prescription pipeline
• How common symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and anxiety can have overlapping hormonal drivers that may not be noticeable in single-marker testing
• The increase in virtual care and how patients in underserved areas are gaining access to specialized hormone care

Key Moments

0:45 Episode Introduction

3:01 Introduction to Hormone Therapy Misinformation

5:58 Self-Testing and AI in Hormone Management

9:01 The Role of Providers in Hormone Therapy

12:14 The Shift Towards Functional Medicine

15:11 Curiosity and Patient Care

17:57 The Importance of Comprehensive Testing

20:58 Navigating Hormonal Imbalances

23:58 The Future of Hormone Therapy

33:46 DUTCH Direct

34:13 Understanding Serum Testing for Cortisol

40:09 The Importance of Free Hormones

46:13 Exploring Fatigue in Women

48:18 Weight Gain: Unpacking the Causes

52:49 Cycle Mapping and Hormonal Changes

55:56 Anxiety and Hormonal Connections

1:00:10 The Virtual Care Model in Hormonal Health

About our speaker

Dr. Tara Scott first became involved with hormones and integrative medicine while practicing as an OB/GYN and soon became certified by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. She founded her practice, Revitalize, with a devotion to evidence-based regenerative medicine and a focus on hormone-related issues. She is also the creator of the online Revitalize Academy, a course to help patients improve their hormone problems themselves. Dr. Scott has been speaking and educating for over 10 years and has taught doctors her approach on five continents. She was chosen to speak for TEDx NEOMED and has been featured in The List, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, and as a guest on numerous podcasts.

Show Notes

Learn more about Dr. Tara Scott, Forum Health, and follow her on Instagram @hormonegurumd!

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