Specialising in your Hormones, Gut Health, Skin, Lab Testing & Weight Loss Clinic
14/11/2025
🌟 Patient Spotlight: An Unexpected Benefit
One of my patients recently shared something incredible — since starting her GLP-1 therapy for weight management, her migraines have dramatically improved.
She went from 15 migraines a month to almost none. 😮✨
While GLP-1 medications aren’t officially approved to treat migraines, some patients do report improvements. This may be related to:
🧠 Reduced inflammation
✨ Hormone regulation
💉 Stabilized blood sugar
⚖️ Weight loss and decreased metabolic stress
😴 Better sleep and appetite regulation
Everyone’s experience is unique, and results can vary — but stories like this remind us how interconnected our metabolic and neurological health can be.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication.
“Hey there! 👋 Check out these lab results from a 30-year-old female who’s been experiencing significant fatigue.
✨ Let’s dive in.
We’re seeing low adrenal output — and alongside that, low DHEA. DHEA is a prohormone that helps produce testosterone and oestrogen, and since it’s largely made in the adrenals, it’s not surprising that it’s low here too.
She’s also showing low B12, but interestingly, her oestrogen and progesterone levels are quite robust.
Now, her melatonin is low — that’s often the body’s way of compensating for low cortisol. But remember, melatonin is also produced in the gut, so that led us to take a closer look there.
And sure enough, her gut results showed dysbiosis — lots of bad bacteria, low stomach acid, inflammation, and low gut immune function. All of this ties right back to her reduced adrenal output.
Oh, and gluten came up very high — so she definitely needs to avoid that while we work on healing.
So, the plan? We’re going to rebuild her adrenals and heal and seal the gut.
If you’d like to learn more, check out the link in bio.
We also offer combined DUTCH hormone and Gut test programs.
📍Comment “combo”.
📍 You can book a free discovery call to see what’s right for you.
Thanks for listening! 💛”
10/11/2025
❓Question: can you take HRT for bone protection
Yes!
💪Bone health and menopause?
Did you know that research shows HRT can help protect your bones in and after menopause? 🦴
Large studies have found that HRT not only improves bone strength in women over 50 but also lowers the risk of spine and hip fractures. 🙌
✨ Starting HRT after menopause is totally possible and can make a real difference for long-term bone protection.
From the British Menopause Society 💙 — reminding us that looking after bone health is a key part of feeling our best through menopause and beyond.
👩⚕️ We are BMS menopause trained and here to support you every step of the way.
Did you know your adrenals become the main source of oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone after menopause?
As the ovaries retire, they pass the baton to the adrenals — meaning robust adrenal health and balanced cortisol are key for a smoother transition. 🌿
If your cortisol has been running on overdrive (hello stress!) — or if you’re already in the exhausted phase — menopausal symptoms can hit harder.
**** Most women I let’s be clear!
That’s why during perimenopause, we focus on supporting the adrenals now, before the ovaries fully step back.
💧Think nourishment, rest, gentle movement, blood sugar balance, and stress regulation — all to help your body adapt with more ease.
Because strong adrenals = a steadier, calmer transition through menopause. 💪✨
🧪 If you fancy a hormone test to see what your adrenals are doing - trust me it’s validating for women to SEE how they are feeling this gives YOU permission to self care - drop the word DUTCH
📍Head to bio for more
📍Grab you’re free discovery call
04/11/2025
Check out this GI Map gut test result
If you’d like to know more, drop us a message
Comment gut
Head to the website and bio
Book your free Discovery call
testing
31/10/2025
Oestrogen Dominance Gets a Bad Rap 👀
Technically, it’s not a medical diagnosis — it’s a symptom-based imbalance.
Does it need addressing? Absolutely yes!
✨ Our 44-year-old client came to us with:
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Thinning hair
• Digestive issues
• Hot flushes
• Heavy, irregular bleeding
• Belly weight gain
• Feeling full quickly
• Breast tenderness
She’d been prescribed HRT without any investigations…
But her symptoms and results showed she didn’t need more oestrogen —
she needed a deeper look into why her hormones were out of balance and further investigations.
💡 High oestrogen levels can cause:
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Fibroids
Oestrogen dominance simply means there’s too much oestrogen relative to progesterone.
🧠 Possible causes include:
• Too high a dose of HRT
• Poor gut or liver detoxification
• Lower progesterone (very common in perimenopause!)
• Fibroids, endometriosis, or polyps
• Chronic stress
• Environmental toxin exposure
⚠️ Why this matters:
High oestradiol can increase the risk of heavy bleeding, womb lining thickening, and — over time — tumour growth.
But remember — oestrogen can fluctuate!
It’s vital to interpret results in context and always correlate with symptoms.
🔍 Red flags to investigate and especially when oestrogen is high:
The “BEACH” symptoms:
• Bloating
• Early satiety (feeling full quickly)
• Abdominal pain
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Heightened fatigue
At our clinic, we take a root-cause approach — exploring:
🩸 Hormone imbalances
🍽️ Dietary triggers
🧬 Detox pathways
💤 Stress and sleep
🧠 Insulin resistance
📍 Evidence based care & investigations
👂 Listening to you
Want to understand your hormones better?
Who are we?
📍 Nurse Practitioner/Functional Medicine
🩺 British Menopause Trained
👩⚕️ Whole health approach
👉 Follow for more hormone education
💬 Book your free discovery call via the link in bio
29/10/2025
Do you want to know what stage of adrenal or cortisol dysfunction you’re in?
Are you feeling:
⚡️ Wired but tired?
😴 Deep fatigue that rest doesn’t fix?
You might be dealing with cortisol or adrenal dysregulation — and here are some telltale signs 👇
• Signs of burnout
• Difficulty handling daily stressors
• Feelings of anxiety or low mood
• Brain fog or poor memory
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Blood sugar highs and crashes
• Cravings for salt or sugar
• Energy that fades fast (or “boom and bust” patterns)
• Sensitivity to foods, smells, or chemicals
• Hair loss, irregular cycles, or just feeling “off”
We use a Cortisol/Adrenal Dysregulation Chart (courtesy of FDN) alongside the DUTCH Hormone Test to help pinpoint exactly where your adrenals are — and create a tailored adrenal support plan.
Want to learn more?
📍 Comment “DUTCH”
📍 Book your free discovery call
📍 Follow for more education on hormones, energy + stress
28/10/2025
✨ Finally hello estradot oestrogen patch is back!
✨ Here’s some of my rBHRT - regulated body identical HRT.
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Barleycorn Aesthetics & Wellbeing provides advice and treatment in Cobham Surrey.
The Independent Healthcare Advisory Service (IHAS), endorsed by the General Medical Council (GMC), has been formed to regulate the cosmetic industry and protect the general public. IHAS states that only medically qualified practitioners, i.e, Doctors, Dentists or Nurses who hold the Independent Prescribing qualification, can safely provide injectable cosmetic procedures.
All consultations and treatments are with Donna Barleycorn MSc BSc Hons Dip HE PGCE FHEA Nurse Practitioner/Independent Prescriber.
Donna has been a qualified emergency clinical practitioner since 1998 and been in advanced practice since 2003. She qualified in aesthetics practice in 2012 including advanced treatments in the upper and lower face as well as the axillary areas. Her background includes MSc Senior Lecturer in Advanced Practice and Prescribing, trauma care, medico-legal work and professional development. She has published numerous clinical papers including in the Aesthetic Journal, presented at various national and international conferences and is on the editorial advisory board for an international clinical journal and reviews for a second international journal, highlighting research into best practice.
Her passion is putting clients needs first in skin, well being and medical care. Her knowledge and skills in thorough clinical consultations, treatments, effective prescribing and follow up, ensure safe client care.
Flexible no rush appointments as in a discrete residential base clinic KT11
-NMC registered
-RCN indemnity insurance
-Cosmetic Insure covered
-ALS Provider
-Registered Practitioner of Aesthetic Complications Expert ACE Group
