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 is a nationally recognized women’s health expert, educator, and speaker specializing in hormones, thyroid health, menopause, infertility, stress, and metabolic wellness. With more than two decades of clinical experience and triple board certification in OB/GYN, Functional Medicine, and Integrative Medicine, she combines traditional medical expertise with a root-cause, whole-person approach to help women better understand and address their health concerns.

Her commitment to this approach is also deeply personal. After navigating her own experiences with endometriosis, infertility, and irregular cycles, as well as losing her brother at a young age despite “normal” conventional findings, Dr. Scott was driven to look beyond standard approaches and pursue a model of care centered on prevention, deeper investigation, and long-term wellness. These experiences continue to shape her dedication to helping patients better understand what may be driving their symptoms and take a more proactive approach to their health.

Today, Dr. Scott serves patients through Forum Health, where she provides personalized, integrative care designed to uncover and address the underlying factors affecting women’s health. She also educates medical professionals and speaks on evidence-based hormone therapy and integrative medicine. Her work is grounded in compassion, clinical expertise, and a commitment to helping women find answers and take a more proactive approach to their health.

Show Notes

Learn more about Dr. Tara Scott and personalized hormone care through Forum Health.

Follow Forum Health on Instagram @forum_health and on YouTube.

Explore easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. 

Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.

Disclaimer: Special offer of 50% OFF first five kits is invalid 60 days after new provider registration.