In this episode, Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner Dawn Ritter joins Mei and Dr. J to break down one of the most misunderstood health challenges today: the connection between hormones, thyroid function, stress, and unexplained weight gain.

Dawn explains why so many women are told their labs are “normal” even when they feel anything but normal—fatigue, stubborn weight, brain fog, low mood, and cycle changes. Together, we explore the deeper root causes traditional medicine often overlooks, including subclinical thyroid dysfunction, cortisol imbalance, peri-menopause transitions, nutritional gaps, inflammation, and environmental stressors.

You will learn how hormones actually interact, what early symptoms to pay attention to, practical strategies to support thyroid health, and the lifestyle patterns that set the stage for metabolic slowdown. Dawn shares real-world examples from clinical practice and offers empowering guidance for women who feel unheard or dismissed.

If you’ve struggled with weight gain despite “doing everything right,” or you suspect your symptoms are hormone-related, this episode delivers the clarity and validation you’ve been seeking.