Thrive Functional Medicine

18/11/2025

ADHD, Perimenopause & Your “Spaghetti Brain” 🍝🧠
Feel like your brain used to cope… and now in your 40s it’s just DONE?
Can’t remember what you walked into the room for… again? Same!
Here’s what might be going on 👇
🌟 Adult ADHD is a thing (especially in women)
ADHD isn’t just “hyper little boys who can’t sit still”.
Lots of women have quiet, internal ADHD that looks like:
* A million tabs open in your brain
* Chronic procrastination but also perfectionism
* Always running late, but also doing 10 things at once
Many of us “masked” it for years… until hormones changed.

🔥 Enter: Perimenopause
In your 40s–50s, estrogen and progesterone start to rollercoaster.
These hormones talk directly to brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin & GABA (aka: focus, motivation, calm).
When they wobble, you might notice:
* Brain fog + forgetfulness
* Starting 5 tasks, finishing none
* Snappy, teary, or easily overwhelmed
* Stress tolerance = basically zero
* Crappy sleep and next‑day exhaustion
Perimenopause doesn’t cause ADHD — but it can turn the volume WAY up on symptoms that were always there.

🌿 What actually helps?
Think: supporting your brain + hormones + nervous system, not just “trying harder”.
Some powerful foundations:
* 🧠 Feed your brain: protein, omega‑3s, iron, zinc, magnesium, B vitamins
* 🌸 Support hormones: cruciferous veg, good sleep, sometimes bioidentical hormones (with a practitioner)
* 😮‍💨 Calm your nervous system: breathwork, walking, yoga, anything that gets you out of “fight or flight”
* 🦠 Gut love: plenty of plants & fibre to reduce inflammation and support mood
Medication can be amazing for some people, but it’s not the only piece of the puzzle.

💛 If this sounds like you…
You’re not lazy. You’re not failing.
Your brain is wired differently and your hormones are changing — and that combo needs understanding, not shame. And with Functional Medicine, there are many things we can do to support your brain & hormones through this time.
Save this for the days your brain feels like scrambled eggs, and share it with a friend who’s always saying, “I swear my brain has broken since my 40s.”

Full Blog Past available on my Website, Link in Bio 🙏🏽

12/11/2025

🌸 Bioidentical Hormones in 2025: A New Era for Women’s Health
This year marks a turning point in peri/menopause care — with more access, more options, and a bigger focus on truly individualised hormone support.
Australia has expanded PBS access to body‑identical oestrogen and progesterone, and the US FDA has removed the old “black box” warning on oestrogen therapy — reflecting new research showing that when started early, hormone therapy can protect heart, bone, brain, and metabolic health. Research suggests the EARLIER you start hormones, the better the benefits.
💛 Progesterone: Calms anxiety, supports sleep, lightens heavy bleeding, and helps prevent endo regrowth.
🌸 Oestrogen: Strengthens bones, supports heart health, improves skin, sleep, and cognition.
⚡ Testosterone: Boosts energy, focus, libido, and muscle strength.
Modern, bioidentical hormones are TGA‑approved, evidence‑based, and medically supervised.

This is not the risky hormone therapy of the past — it’s the restoration of what your body naturally makes.
✨ A new era of women’s health is here — one that honours balance, vitality, and feeling fully yourself again.

See full blog post here: https://thrivefunctionalmedicine.com.au/blog-1/f/%F0%9F%8C%B8-bioidentical-hormones-in-2025-a-new-era-for-women%E2%80%99s-health

12/11/2025

Excited to announce that after working all online for the last two years, I’ll be offering in Person Consults again in Kalbarri 🙏🏽

You can still access quick and easy convenient phone consults or video link by booking online at www.thrivefunctionalmedicine.com.au but if you would like to see me face to face, please contact via email thrivefm@outlook.com

Our Focus is on:
- Gut health: microbiome support, restoring gut barrier integrity, SIBO assessments, food intolerances, parasites
- Hormones: cycle irregularities, perimenopause/menopause, brain fog, weight changes; mood changes
- Thyroid & Autoimmune conditions
- Mental health: anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD—reducing systemic inflammation and calming the nervous system
- Fatigue and adrenal health
- Mould and biotoxin-related illness; immune regulation and auto-immune support
- Heavy metal toxicity: detoxification and safe chelation strategies
- Genetic mutations (e.g., MTHFR, MTRR, COMT): supporting methylation, detox, energy and mood pathways

Our Evidence-based, integrative approach can include:
- Personalised nutrition and lifestyle plans 🥗🥩
- Nutrient therapy and botanicals 🍀
- Plant Medicines and Alternative therapies 🍁
- Bioidentical Hormone Therapy 💁‍♀️
- Detoxification protocols 🐛
- Psychological interventions and hypnotherapy 🧠

Alongside our functional medicine expertise, we also provide all routine medical care:
- Prescriptions and medication management
- Medical certificates
- Referrals and follow-ups
- Preventative health checks and standard pathology

Medicare Rebates are available for in person consults and for Telehealth when you have been seen face to face in the last 12 months.

Hope to work with you soon!

A personalised and holistic approach to wellness that integrates Functional Medicine, Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy & Yoga to optimise your health & life.

12/11/2025

🌸 Bioidentical Hormones in 2025: A New Era for Women’s Health

If you’ve been hearing more about bioidentical hormones lately, you’re not imagining it — 2025 has marked a turning point in women’s health care. After years of confusion and mixed messages, Australia has entered a new phase of menopause care: one that values individualised treatment, safer hormone options, and open conversations about women’s wellbeing.
🌿 What’s Changing — and Why It Matters:
In 2025 we’ve seen a dramatic shift in policy and practice:
Australia has expanded access to pharmaceutical-grade bioidentical (often called “body-identical”) hormones through the PBS, making options like estradiol patches and Prometrium® micronised progesterone more affordable and widely available. The FDA in the United States has removed the “black box” warning on oestrogen therapy, acknowledging that evidence no longer supports the blanket fear of hormone use that followed the early-2000s WHI studies. This reflects what decades of new research have shown — that hormone therapy, when started early and used appropriately, can be highly protective. New research confirms that initiating hormone therapy within 10 years of menopause onset or before age 60 brings the greatest benefits for heart, bone, brain, and metabolic health (VFMP Menopause Care 2025). Together, these changes mark a new era of science-based confidence and choice for women.

💛 The Healing Power of Bioidentical Progesterone
Progesterone is often the first hormone to decline during perimenopause — and the symptoms speak for themselves: heavy bleeding, poor sleep, anxiety, and PMS-like mood changes.

Bioidentical micronised progesterone can help to:
🩸 Lighten heavy periods by balancing oestrogen’s stimulation of the uterine lining
🌿 Reduce endometriosis recurrence and pelvic inflammation after surgery
😌 Calm the nervous system via its natural GABA-enhancing effect, improving mood and sleep
🧠 Protect the brain, bones and breasts through its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties

Women frequently say that bioidentical progesterone helps them feel grounded, calmer, and finally “balanced” again.

🌸 The Vital Role of Oestrogen
Body identical oestrogen (17β estradiol) is central to long term female health. After menopause, its loss can affect virtually every system in the body.

When used safely and started early, oestrogen therapy can:
💓 Protect the heart and blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart disease when initiated around the time of menopause
🦴 Preserve bone density, cutting osteoporosis and fracture risk by up to 50%
🧠 Support cognitive function, with growing data showing benefits for memory & possibly dementia risk
🌺 Improve skin, hair, and pelvic tissue health — restoring elasticity, hydration & comfort
🌙 Relieve vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, improving sleep and energy

Far from being risky, modern bioidentical oestrogen therapy is respectfully dosed, TGA-approved, and extensively studied for safety and benefit.

⚡ Don’t Forget Testosterone
Although often overlooked, testosterone is an essential female hormone. Production declines gradually from our mid-30s, but drops sharply after menopause.
Rebalancing testosterone can:
💪 Increase strength, muscle tone, and energy
❤️ Enhance libido and s*xual satisfaction
🧠 Improve focus and motivation
🦴 Support bone density and metabolic health
Australian guidelines now recognise the use of TGA-approved female-strength testosterone formulations for loss of s*xual desire and energy after menopause, with careful monitoring to ensure safe levels.
🔬 Science, Timing and Safety
Modern research has finally clarified what earlier generations of women intuitively understood — that hormone therapy is safest and most beneficial when begun in the right window.
Women who start body-identical hormone therapy in the first decade after menopause often see: Lower rates of cardiovascular disease
• Better metabolic profiles
• Fewer bone fractures
• Reduced depression and anxiety
• Improved cognition and quality of life
Safety comes from careful prescribing, personalised dosing, and ongoing monitoring — not from avoiding hormones altogether.

✨ The Bottom Line
We are entering a new era of menopause care — one that honours the science, not the fear. Body-identical oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone form a powerful foundation for restoring hormonal balance and protecting long-term health.
If you’re ready to understand your options and reclaim your vitality, book a consultation to explore how a personalised bioidentical hormone plan can help you feel like yourself again — clear, calm, and full of life.

04/07/2025

🧠 Why is your libido low?
And what can you naturally do about it?
Low libido is more common than you think — and it’s not just “in your head.” In functional medicine, we look at the whole picture: hormones, stress, sleep, nutrient status, and emotional wellbeing.

🌿 Natural Ways to Support Female Libido:
💥 Balance hormones — low estrogen, testosterone, or DHEA? Let’s test and support naturally.
🧘‍♀️ Calm cortisol — chronic stress can shut desire down.
💊 Check nutrients — zinc, iron, B12 & vitamin D all play a role.
🌸 Try herbs like maca, ashwagandha, and tribulus to gently restore balance.
❤️ Support your sensuality — safety, sleep, connection, and pleasure outside the bedroom matter too.

✨ For some women:
Bioidentical hormones like testosterone, estriol, or DHEA can make a huge difference — safely and effectively.

👉 Low libido isn’t something you just have to “accept.” Your body might be asking for more support — not less desire.
🩺 Let’s get curious, not judgmental.

24/02/2025

Over the last 25 years we have seen the most profound explosion of chronic disease in human history. Since 1996 there has been on a steady rise of an array of conditions, from depression and anxiety all the way to multiple sclerosis, ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This trajectory correlates perfectly with the increase in pesticide use in our environment. Research from around the globe suggests that these environmental factors have contributed to a combination of genetic, neurologic, autoimmune, and metabolic injuries that underpin the collapse of our health.
 
It is estimated that we now spray more than 4.5 billion pounds of glyphosate into the soils, plants, and water systems of our planet. It is sprayed in staggering quantities on most commercially grown staple crops, including wheat, corn & canola.  Herbicides can volatilize into the gaseous state and be transported over long distances fairly rapidly through wind and rain, subsequently working its way into the water within the grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as infiltrating the groundwater, slowly making its way into rivers, oceans, our air, and ultimately our rainfall. We are eating it, breathing it and bathing in it.it.
 
The Key thing here is that Glyphosate is not patented as a W**d killer, it is patented as an antibiotic, antiparasitic & antifungal and this is why it is affecting human health. We have four times more antibiotic going into our bodies from the food chain than from doctors.
 
When it was discovered that humans only have around 30,000 Protein Coding Genes, a third that of a flee, it was discovered that the complex and intricate human experience is only possible with the 100 trillion microorganisms in our gut that interact with our DNA and alter how our genes express themselves. They create neurotransmitters which control our mood, build and eliminate hormones, regulate our metabolism and impact our detoxification pathways. When we kill off these organisms with the glyphosate in our environment we diminish our bodies ability to function optimally and heal from traumas.

21/02/2025

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is an acute and chronic, systemic inflammatory response syndrome acquired following exposure to the interior environment of a water-damaged building with resident toxigenic organisms, including, but not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and mycobacteria as well as inflammagens such as endotoxins, beta glucans, hemolysins, proteinases, mannans and possibly spirocyclic drimanes; as well as volatile organic compounds.
CIRS generally happens after exposure to the interior environment of a Water-Damaged Building which can house fungi, bacteria, mycobacteria, and actinomycetes. Inhaling these dangerous inflammagens is what makes people sick. Many patients with this condition have been overlooked by the general medical system as many of their conventional test return normal, regardless of the fact that the illness that cause them to lose their quality of life. People who live in the same house may be totally well as only around 25% of the population have a genetic susceptibility to develop this illness based on their immune response genes (HLA–DR). Every person’s innate immune system is uniquely coded and works differently for each one us.
A non-mould susceptible person has antibodies that will target the antigen and clear it out. That protection doesn’t happen in mould patients. It is a vicious cycle for them. The foreign antigens stay in the body, causing the immune system to constantly fight back. This causes so much inflammation in the body that it leads to many debilitating symptoms and chronic illness which can destroy a person’s quality of life. 
CIRS patients are often misdiagnosed with a myriad of other conditions and undergo multiple therapies without any benefits before they find the root cause of their illness. We use the Shoe Maker Protocol to Diagnose and Treat CIRS patients with a personalised treatment plan & ongoing monitoring and support. 

18/02/2025

Gilberts Syndrome, which most conventional Doctors will tell you is just “benign hyperbilirubinemia” and nothing to worry about, is a condition which is quickly gaining recognition in the Functional Medicine community. It is a genetic and condition characterized by a defect in the Phase II detoxification enzyme UDP-Glucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) which is responsible for the glucuronidation detoxification pathway in the liver. People who have this condition are inefficient in detoxifying and conjugating both endogenous and exogenous toxins. 
It is estimated that around 5% of the Australian population have this genetic mutation that causes only 30% of the enzyme UGT1A1 to be produced. This is the only enzyme that detoxifies bilirubin, a toxic product of the natural breakdown of red blood cells. This leads to higher levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream, which can cause mild pain in the abdomen, particularly in the upper right side, where the liver is located, jaundice and an increased risk of gallstones. High levels of bilirubin can make it difficult to digest fatty foods and high-protein meals. Most people with Gilbert’s Syndrome also have linked mutations in two other enzymes - UGT1A6 and UGT1A7, causing similar enzyme shortages which leads to elated toxins circulating in the body for longer periods as well so this can prevent the elimination of other carcinogens, drugs, hormones and biotoxins. 
New research is showing that this “benign” condition is actually a deeper condition which requires recognition and slight control of lifestyle in order to be optimally lived with. Frequently reported symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, joint and muscle pain, IBS and more. Patients with this condition should avoid paracetamol, fasting for long periods and supplement with liver supporting products. A Functional Medicine Practitioner can help you to optimise this pathway, reduce symptoms and regenerate your health.

06/02/2025

How do we test hormones? Hormones are best tested on day 21 of your cycle when then reach their peak. Blood tests can be done through Medicare that give a really good understanding about your hormone levels, their balance, the stage of fertility or perimenopause that you may be in. We can also look at your day 2 hormones, when they should be at their lowest, to see how well your body is detoxifying and clearing out your hormones at the end of your cycle.

If there are any concerns in these blood test, we can also offer a DUTCH hormone test. This is conducted to better assess hormone levels and their metabolites to understand which pathways these hormones are taking and if they are having a positive or negative impact on overall health. For example, Oestrogen is actually a family of three different Oestrogens, some are very beneficial to the body where as others can be pro-inflammatory and foster disease development. From this test we can see exactly which your body is producing and if their are warning signs, give us a roadmap on how to direct it down the beneficial pathways instead.

This comprehensive test also provides insight into adrenal function, s*x hormone metabolism, and the daily pattern of cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels. It is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, and reproductive issues. The results of a DUTCH hormone test can guide personalized treatment plans and interventions to optimize hormone balance and improve overall well-being.

05/02/2025

CYCLICAL PROGESTERONE THERAPY 🌱
With its potential benefits in alleviating symptoms of menopause, improving bone health, reducing the risk of certain diseases, and enhancing overall well-being, it is no wonder that many women are turning to bio-identical hormone therapy as a potential solution. However, it is important to approach hormone therapy with caution and under the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider. The decision to pursue hormone therapy should be based on a thorough assessment of individual needs, potential risks, and ongoing monitoring to ensure a safe and effective treatment plan.
Progesterone is one of the two most important women’s hormones. There is evidence to support the prescription of oral micronized progesterone for perimenopause, PCOS, PMDD, migraines, endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Cyclical progesterone therapy involves the administration of progesterone for the second half of a woman’s menstrual cycle, days 14-28. We use Bioidentical hormones which are structurally identical to the hormones your own body produces, boosting the quantity available for your body to utilise as its own production weans during peri-menopause or in progesterone deficiency.
Cyclical progesterone therapy can be useful for regulating the menstrual cycle and promoting the shedding of the uterine lining, which can help alleviate symptoms associated with irregular or heavy periods. Additionally, progesterone has been found to have a beneficial effect on PMS symptoms, such as mood swings, bloating, and breast tenderness.
In cases of endometriosis, cyclical progesterone therapy may help to control the growth and shedding of the endometrial tissue, reducing pain and discomfort.
This therapy can also be beneficial for women to manage symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats.
Cyclical progesterone therapy can be a valuable treatment option for women with a range of conditions, providing symptom relief and promoting hormonal balance.

04/02/2025

Hormone imbalances can present as a wide variety of symptoms, from PMS to depression, as well as weight gain, headaches, sleeplessness, anxiety, decreased s*x drive, fatigue, dry hair or skin, even hair loss. These symptoms can be very distressing to many women and have significant impacts on their quality of life. 
Hormone therapy has been the subject of a great deal of misinformation and confusion in the past 20 years. The Women’s Health Initiative Study of 1991 caused confusion and widespread panic among patients and practitioners. But it was flawed and was only looking at synthetic oestrogen given via an oral route to older post menopausal women.
Bio-identical hormones differ from synthetic as they are structurally identical to the hormones your own body produces throughout the menstruating years and do not have many of the side effects or risks associated with the synthetic versions.
This has led to a growing interest in bio-identical hormone therapy as a way to address hormone imbalances and their associated symptoms along side diet and lifestyle factors.
 
There are several benefits associated with bio-identical hormone therapy, including:
• Improves age related changes changes
• Relieves symptoms of menopause and perimenopause
• Reduced risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia and improved bone density
• Substantially reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s & cognitive decline
• Improves mood and energy levels
• Improves muscle mass and overall strength
• Reduces risk of endometrial cancer and breast cancer
• Improves cholesterol levels and reduces the risk for developing heart disease
• Improves sleep
• Increases s*xual vitality and libido

Yes, in an ideal world, women would not need to supplement hormones, but our bodies were designed to start slowing down around 40, genetically we are not meant to still be working, raising kids and living the demanding life styles that we do. Our genetics and our way of life are currently at a mismatch and if you want to love life to the absolute fullest, these treatments may be able to help you.

31/01/2025

The Endocannabanoid system is a neurotransmitter system critical for almost every aspect of our functioning. It regulates and controls processes such as learning, memory, emotions, sleep, pain control, inflammation and immune responses. In order to activate this system our bodies produce endogenous cannabinoids, which have a structural similarity to molecules in the cannabis plant. The first endocannabinoid that was discovered was named Anandamide, the bliss molecule, after the Sanskrit word ananda which means bliss. All of us have endogenous cannabis-like molecules in our brains and nervous systems which help to create homeostasis in the body to optimise our functioning. So the cannabis plant, which humans have been using medically for at least 5,000 years, can target the body’s imbalances by triggering the ECS to help relieve some symptoms associated with chronic illness and disturbances in the mind and body.