Top 5 Reasons Why Functional Labs Are A Game Changer For Your Fertility with Dr. Kela Smith

Oct 15, 2023

When preparing for pregnancy, it can be confusing to know what blood labs to get, when to test and why certain ones are more important than others. In today’s episode, I interview Dr. Kela Smith and we do a deep dive into the difference between conventional and functional labs, how functional labs work, when they should be utilized and how they can help you get pregnant.

Episode Highlights:

  • 10 years ago Kr. Kela Smith faced infertility, what she did next changed everything 
  • Unlocking fertility, a deeper look at functional labs and how they differ from conventional labs
  • Uncovering the hidden connection between gut health and fertility
  • How functional labs give you a much more in depth look at your reproductive health
  • Cracking the hormone puzzle, the key steps to helping you get pregnant
  • What you need to know about functional labs and how they work

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Kela Smith, Ph.D., DNM, DHM is a leading Holistic Integrative Fertility & Hormone Doctor, dedicated to supporting women and couples facing fertility challenges. After overcoming her own fertility struggles using the Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E method, it has been her mission to help others solve their infertility puzzles so they can get and stay pregnant, have a healthy happy pregnancy, and an easy postpartum. An accomplished author, she also hosts The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, Solving-Infertility Summit, and Healthy Happy Pregnancy Summit. Dr. Kela's expertise also extends to guiding and inspiring future fertility experts as the lead educator at Fertility Coach University. With vast experience and dedication to holistic health, she's a renowned authority in her field.

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Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

 

The Game-Changing Power of Functional Lab Tests for Fertility

00:00:04 - 00:00:50

In this transcript, host introduces Dr. Kella Smith, a leading holistic, integrative, fertility, and hormone doctor, who is dedicated to supporting women and couples facing fertility challenges. Dr. Kella's mission is to help others solve their infertility puzzle so that they can get and stay pregnant, have a healthy and happy pregnancy, and an easy postpartum. The host and Dr. Kella discuss the importance of functional lab tests for fertility and how they can be a game changer in helping couples achieve their dream of having a baby.

10 Years Ago, Dr. Kayla Smith Faced Infertility. What She Did Next Changed Everything.

00:00:51 - 00:04:33

Dr. Kayla Smith, a functional medicine doctor and fertility expert, shares her personal journey of overcoming infertility and the methods she used to optimize fertility. She discusses her background, her passion for helping women achieve and maintain pregnancy, and her approach to functional medicine. Dr. Smith also talks about her own struggle with infertility, the limited options presented by western medicine, and her decision to take matters into her own hands. Through research, lifestyle changes, and targeted supplements, she was able to conceive naturally and went on to have two children. Inspired by her experience, Dr. Smith pursued further education and now runs a school to train practitioners in fertility coaching. She emphasizes the importance of treating the body as a whole and optimizing its function to support fertility. Dr. Smith's story serves as a testament to the power of personalized approaches to fertility and the possibilities beyond traditional medical interventions.

Unlocking Fertility: A Deeper Look at Functional Lab Tests

00:04:34 - 00:11:07

In this transcript, the speaker discusses the importance of functional lab tests in understanding fertility issues. Functional labs provide a deeper insight into the body's systems and how they are correlated to symptoms. Unlike traditional blood lab tests, functional labs look at the body functionally and consider how all systems work together. The speaker emphasizes that functional labs offer a more comprehensive view of hormone levels, stress hormones, gut health, and mineral status. By analyzing these three key areas, functional lab tests can help identify the underlying causes of infertility and guide personalized treatment plans.

Uncovering the Hidden Connection: Gut Health and Fertility

00:11:07 - 00:12:25

In this transcript, the speaker discusses the importance of addressing gut health even when there are no apparent symptoms. They explain that common tests and basic symptoms may not reveal underlying gut dysfunction, leading to frustration when blood levels come back normal. The speaker emphasizes that symptoms can manifest in various ways, such as fertility issues, and that it may take years for illness or disease to arise. The root cause of these issues is dysbiosis and inflammation in the body, which should be addressed to prevent future symptoms and improve fertility.

Why Functional Labs Are Essential for Your Health

00:12:25 - 00:19:33

Functional labs can provide valuable insights into your health and help identify underlying issues that may be causing symptoms. Symptoms such as disrupted menstrual cycles, skin issues, fatigue, and digestive problems can be indicators that something is wrong. While functional lab tests can be expensive, the cost is worth it considering the potential long-term health consequences of not addressing these issues. Investing in your health now can prevent future diseases and improve your quality of life. Functional labs provide a deeper understanding of your body's functioning, allowing for targeted treatment protocols and personalized interventions. Being your own health advocate and educating yourself about your body is key in the fertility journey and overall well-being.

Why Functional Labs are a Game Changer for Your Health

00:19:33 - 00:22:32

Functional labs provide a personalized approach to health by showing the root causes of health issues and allowing for customized nutrition and lifestyle recommendations. They can also detect markers for disease or illness years before symptoms appear, helping to prevent future health problems. Functional labs provide measurable data that can be used to track progress and optimize health. The tests are easy and non-invasive, as they can be done at home with testing kits. Implementing foundational health practices is a great starting point, and further upgrades can be made to optimize all aspects of life.

The Truth About Functional Labs and Timelines for Pregnancy

00:22:33 - 00:27:38

In this transcript, the speaker discusses the importance of managing expectations when it comes to timelines for functional labs and pregnancy. They explain that functional lab tests such as the Dutch complete, dried urine hormone analysis, gut test, and hair tissue mineral analysis can take varying amounts of time to complete. The hormone test, for example, typically takes 21 business days to receive results. The speaker also mentions that implementing lifestyle changes and following a protocol for at least 90 days can greatly improve the chances of conception. However, they note that some individuals may experience immediate improvements in their health and may become pregnant sooner. Overall, the speaker emphasizes the importance of viewing fertility as a lifelong journey and encourages individuals with existing health issues, such as endometriosis or PCOS, to consider functional lab testing as part of their pregnancy preparation process.

Cracking the Hormone Puzzle: Key Steps to Optimize Your Fertility and Health

00:27:38 - 00:29:26

In this transcript, the speaker discusses the hormone puzzle and how it can be solved to optimize fertility and overall health. The acronym PUZLE is used to represent the key steps: Proper whole food nutrition, Understanding supplements, Zapping stress, Love and encouragement, and Exercise and environment. These steps are considered foundational to achieving hormonal balance and improving fertility. The speaker shares personal experiences and explains how these steps can be applied to patients as well.

Optimize Your Cycle and Improve Fertility with Kayla

00:29:26 - 00:30:51

In this transcript, Kayla shares valuable information about optimizing your cycle and improving fertility. She discusses her website, Hormonepuzzlesociety.com, where listeners can find free gifts such as digital downloads, podcasts, and blogs related to fertility, hormones, and functional medicine. Kayla also provides her social media handles on Instagram and Facebook, as well as her podcast, The Hormone Puzzle Podcast. Additionally, she mentions a free gift exclusively for the audience, the Cycle Optimizing Quick Start Guide, which teaches how to implement cycle optimizing into one's life through nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle choices. For practitioners, Kayla offers a certification course available at thehormonepuzzlesociety.com/Education. The links to all these resources are provided in the show notes. Overall, Kayla's expertise and insights make this transcript a valuable resource for anyone looking to optimize their cycle and enhance fertility.

The Solving Infertility Summit: Optimizing Fertility Mind, Body, and Spirit

00:30:51 - 00:32:17

The Solving Infertility Summit is an annual event that brings together doctors, nutritionists, and holistic health experts to discuss different ways to optimize fertility. The summit, now in its third year, features over 70 speakers who are some of the biggest experts in the world. The recordings from the previous year's summit can be accessed for free for five days, and upgrading to VIP provides lifetime access to the recordings as well as a copy of the host's book. The next summit, taking place in January 2024, will continue to provide valuable insights and resources for those struggling with infertility.

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