June 3, 2025 • 12 mins
In this episode, Dr. Alfred Alessi and Matt Tack introduce the topic of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and its significance within the Health Decoded framework. They delve into the symptoms of PCOS and its connection with insulin resistance, providing an understanding of the condition. The discussion covers recommended diagnostic tests for accurate identification of PCOS. Strategies for managing PCOS are explored, offering insights into effective approaches. The episode concludes with final thoughts on PCOS management, closing remarks, and contact information for listeners seeking further engagement and support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
PCOS isn't just a fertility condition.
(00:03):
It is very much a metabolic and hormonal one.
And when we address it at the root, healing isabsolutely possible.
Welcome to Health Decode, your number onesource for real health information with your
host, doctor Alessi and Matt Tack.
Hey, Health Decoded listeners.
Doctor Alessi here.
(00:24):
Let me ask you a serious question.
Are you tired of waiting until something goeswrong to finally see a doctor?
At Alessi Functional Health, we take adifferent approach, the right approach.
We believe true health care isn't about chasingsymptoms.
It's about preventing them in the first place.
That's why we created the Alessi Total CareProgram.
(00:46):
This is a functional medicine based membershipthat gives you proactive, personalized care
year round.
You'll get access to comprehensive blood workand functional testing, custom doctor grade
nutraceuticals, deep discounts on labs,protocols, and follow ups, as well as twenty
four seven direct access to your doctor, notjust a ten minute checkup that ends with
(01:10):
another prescription.
And here's the best part.
As a Health Decoded listener, you'll get yourfirst three months completely free when you
sign up for an annual membership.
That's on top of hundreds in savings alreadybuilt into the program.
This is your chance to take responsibility foryour health and join a movement that's
redefining what primary care should look like.
(01:32):
Head on over to alesseefunctionalhealth.com,click on our services tab, and go to Total
Care.
Learn more about this program and claim yourexclusive podcast listener offer.
Your health is your greatest asset.
Let's protect it proactively.
Welcome back to another episode of HealthDecoded.
(01:53):
I am your host, Doctor.
Alessi.
And today we have a really fun and a reallycool episode.
I received a DM on Instagram from a listener ofthe show that had a very specific question
regarding some of the things we've talked abouton other episodes and how they work together.
And that's awesome because that's the wholeconcept of functional medicine is how our body
(02:15):
systems all play in together and create thewhole being of who we are as people, right?
And so, this is gonna be a little bit shorter,a little bit quicker, and a little bit
different than our standard episodes where wego through specific topics.
This one's gonna be focused on this question Ireceived.
But essentially, this person reached out to meon Instagram and said, Hi, I'm curious in
(02:39):
learning more about PCOS, which is polycysticovary syndrome or ovarian syndrome.
And more specifically, more she was interestedin learning more about the insulin resistance
component to that.
And so, basically, I came up with kind of alittle bit of a script here where I want to go
through some things, discuss what PCOS is,obviously discuss what is the connection with
(03:02):
insulin answering your question.
And then how do we test for this, what thingswe should look at, and then what we can do
about it, right and maintain health.
And so I'm going to kind of start going throughthis.
And, you know, if this is something that you'vedealt with, or you know someone deals with,
please share this with them.
Let them kind of engage with this and see ifthis is something that rings for them.
(03:23):
And then what they need to do to obviously,know, work on getting towards a state of
balance in a state of health.
So, let's start with this and thank you againfor this question.
I'm not going to name this person because justfor the concept of anonymity here, but thank
you again for sending this in and we would liketo do more of these.
So, if you do have questions, if you do haveconcerns or things that you'd like to hear
(03:46):
answered on the show, please send them in.
And so, let's talk about PCOS, polycysticovarian syndrome.
So, despite the name, you don't need ovariancysts to have this.
It's really a hormonal and metabolic conditionand most commonly what it's going to present as
are things like irregular or absent periods,excess androgens like testosterone in females
(04:09):
which can lead to acne, hair growth or hairloss.
It's going to lead to things like ovulationissues, which can make fertility more
difficult.
And yes, you can get the stubborn cysts on theovaries, but they are a symptom, not the root
cause.
And so, the underlying root for many womenreally is the insulin resistance component.
(04:31):
Now, let's get into this insulin connection andultimately what that means.
So, as we've discussed in a few episodespreviously, more recently actually, insulin is
your blood sugar storage hormone.
Think of it like the key that unlocks the cellsto be able to take in fuel.
But when you become resistant to insulin, whichis very common, your body keeps pumping out
(04:55):
more and more and more.
Now, this happens because when we have elevatedblood sugar for too long, or consuming meals
too often, we have a bit of metabolicdysfunction, insulin is going to be secreted
more often, and higher dosages, over time thebody becomes resistant to this.
So, high insulin does a few dangerous things inwomen with PCOS.
(05:20):
First thing, it's going to stimulate theovaries to make more androgens like
testosterone.
It can disrupt ovulation which can lead toirregular or even absent periods.
It's going to promote fat storage, especiallyaround the abdomen and the belly area.
And it can fuel the metabolic storm that makesPCOS so tough to manage.
(05:40):
And that a lot of conventional doctors are notgoing to know because they just focus on the
medication side of things and focusing on thesymptoms, not on again, the entire person as a
whole.
They don't even think to look towards thisinsulin connection.
This is why so many women with PCOS are told tojust lose weight, which is very frustrating and
(06:00):
very unhelpful actually, because we have totreat the insulin resistance first if we want
to reverse those symptoms.
So, the good news is that you can do this andthrough food, movement, supplements, sleep,
we've actually helped women to transform theirPCOS outcomes naturally.
Now, the way we approach this, right?
(06:21):
We always want to talk about testing because ifyou're not testing, you're guessing.
And most doctors are not looking at the fullpicture, they're looking at a snapshot.
So, here's what I recommend you test if yoususpect PCOS or if you want to track your
progress with this condition.
First things first, a full hormone panel.
We have to see total and free testosterone.
(06:44):
DHEA, which is an adrenal androgen.
We want to see LH and FSH, this is luteinizinghormone and follicle stimulating hormone.
If you have a high LH to FSH ratio, that's verycommon with PCOS.
We also want to check progesterone, and youwant to check this mid luteal phase which is
about day twenty one of your cycle.
(07:05):
We also want to make sure we look at estradioland sex hormone binding globulin, which is
often low in PCOS.
Now the next thing, right, we talked about howimportant it is the insulin component, we want
to check a metabolic panel, but not justglucose, right?
Most docs are just going look at your glucoseand say okay, it's alright.
We want to check fasting insulin.
This one is huge, often skipped and probablythe most important.
(07:30):
Then we want to check fasting glucose,hemoglobin A1C, which is that three month blood
sugar average, and a lipid panel.
We want to look at cholesterol andtriglycerides as well.
And then, we want to look at a thyroid panel.
I want to see a full thyroid panel becausethese hormones play in tandem.
So, I want to see TSH, free T3 and free T4.
(07:50):
We want to see that reverse T3 and then we wantto see antibodies, TPO and TG antibodies to
rule out if there is Hashimoto's, which isoften found in connection with PCOS.
Some other helpful markers that we usually justhave is ferritin, which is testing for the
body's storage of iron, vitamin D, magnesium,and HSCRP, which is high sensitivity C reactive
(08:16):
protein, which is a inflammatory marker that isoften elevated in PCOS.
So, if you're working with a good functionalmedicine provider, like this person was that
sent me this message, these things shouldalready be on their radar.
If not, advocate for yourself because you needthe full picture.
And so, this is where you become your doctorand you can guide the process and ask for
(08:38):
things.
So, if you're listening to this, if you've beendiagnosed with PCOS, if you suspect you may
have it, here are a few key strategies that youneed to talk to your doctor about or start
implementing.
Number one, prioritizing blood sugar stability.
Protein with every meal, 20 to 30 gramsminimum.
(08:59):
Cutting out entirely refined carbs and sugar,any processed food.
And then consider some time restricted eatingor fasting if your body can tolerate it, if
you're not in a high stress environment.
Movement is key.
Walking daily, 10,000 steps a day.
And then adding in strength training, becausebuilding muscle will improve your sensitivity
(09:22):
to insulin.
Muscle is the most metabolic insulin sensitiveorgan that we have, and it can dramatically
lower insulin resistance.
The next thing is supporting your cycle.
There's some really great hormones that canhelp with this.
Magnesium is one.
Myo inositol, this is a fantastic one.
Also helps with balancing the thyroid withHashimoto's.
(09:45):
N acetylcysteine and omega-3s, these can allhelp.
But if you don't know where to start or howmuch to take, be sure to work with a provider,
functional medicine doctor or someone who'squalified.
And then again, making sure you're runningthose right labs.
You want to check labs every three months whenyou're working with hormonal conditions because
so much can change in a short period of time.
(10:06):
That's the fasting insulin, the hormones, andthen obviously the full metabolic picture.
And so, the takeaway here really is, you know,PCOS isn't just a fertility condition, it is
very much a metabolic and hormonal one.
And when we address it at the root, healing isabsolutely possible.
So, I want to thank you for sending in thisquestion.
(10:29):
Really glad I could go come on here and do thisfor you.
I hope this gave a little bit more clarity andencouragement to allow you to kind of take
action.
And you know, I want to let you know you're onthe right path.
I'm cheering for you.
I think you're doing a lot of really goodthings.
And now how do we just take this a stepfurther?
So if you're listening and you want to submit aquestion for a future episode, you can DM me on
(10:49):
Instagram.
You can it's doctoralphredalesi.
You can go reply to our newsletter or you cansend an email to askalessifxhealth dot com.
I check every single message.
If you found this valuable, please like,subscribe, share this with someone who needs to
hear this message.
That's the only way we really get this out.
That's the only way we can help more peoplechange more lives.
(11:12):
Go to AlessiFunctionalHealth.com to learn moreabout our programs, our functional medicine
programs, and Alessi Total Care, where we havecompletely changed the way that primary care
looks by taking a proactive approach, not justa reactive approach when symptoms appear.
As always, remember this, your health is inyour hands.
(11:32):
I'm doctor Lesse.
I will see you next time.
Thank you for tuning in to Health Decoded,where we break down the truth about all things
health and empower you to take charge of yourwell-being.
If you found value in today's episode, pleasesubscribe, leave a review, and share it with
someone who needs to hear this.
(11:52):
For more resources and personalized support,visit us at w alessifunctionalhealth.com and
sign up for our newsletter.
To hear your questions answered live on theshow, send them to ask@AlessiFXHealth.com.
That's ask@alessifxhealth.com.
Until next time, stay curious, stay empowered,and remember, your health is in your hands.
PCOS isn't just a fertility condition.
(00:03):
It is very much a metabolic and hormonal one.
And when we address it at the root, healing isabsolutely possible.
Welcome to Health Decode, your number onesource for real health information with your
host, doctor Alessi and Matt Tack.
Hey, Health Decoded listeners.
Doctor Alessi here.
(00:24):
Let me ask you a serious question.
Are you tired of waiting until something goeswrong to finally see a doctor?
At Alessi Functional Health, we take adifferent approach, the right approach.
We believe true health care isn't about chasingsymptoms.
It's about preventing them in the first place.
That's why we created the Alessi Total CareProgram.
(00:46):
This is a functional medicine based membershipthat gives you proactive, personalized care
year round.
You'll get access to comprehensive blood workand functional testing, custom doctor grade
nutraceuticals, deep discounts on labs,protocols, and follow ups, as well as twenty
four seven direct access to your doctor, notjust a ten minute checkup that ends with
(01:10):
another prescription.
And here's the best part.
As a Health Decoded listener, you'll get yourfirst three months completely free when you
sign up for an annual membership.
That's on top of hundreds in savings alreadybuilt into the program.
This is your chance to take responsibility foryour health and join a movement that's
redefining what primary care should look like.
(01:32):
Head on over to alesseefunctionalhealth.com,click on our services tab, and go to Total
Care.
Learn more about this program and claim yourexclusive podcast listener offer.
Your health is your greatest asset.
Let's protect it proactively.
Welcome back to another episode of HealthDecoded.
(01:53):
I am your host, Doctor.
Alessi.
And today we have a really fun and a reallycool episode.
I received a DM on Instagram from a listener ofthe show that had a very specific question
regarding some of the things we've talked abouton other episodes and how they work together.
And that's awesome because that's the wholeconcept of functional medicine is how our body
(02:15):
systems all play in together and create thewhole being of who we are as people, right?
And so, this is gonna be a little bit shorter,a little bit quicker, and a little bit
different than our standard episodes where wego through specific topics.
This one's gonna be focused on this question Ireceived.
But essentially, this person reached out to meon Instagram and said, Hi, I'm curious in
(02:39):
learning more about PCOS, which is polycysticovary syndrome or ovarian syndrome.
And more specifically, more she was interestedin learning more about the insulin resistance
component to that.
And so, basically, I came up with kind of alittle bit of a script here where I want to go
through some things, discuss what PCOS is,obviously discuss what is the connection with
(03:02):
insulin answering your question.
And then how do we test for this, what thingswe should look at, and then what we can do
about it, right and maintain health.
And so I'm going to kind of start going throughthis.
And, you know, if this is something that you'vedealt with, or you know someone deals with,
please share this with them.
Let them kind of engage with this and see ifthis is something that rings for them.
(03:23):
And then what they need to do to obviously,know, work on getting towards a state of
balance in a state of health.
So, let's start with this and thank you againfor this question.
I'm not going to name this person because justfor the concept of anonymity here, but thank
you again for sending this in and we would liketo do more of these.
So, if you do have questions, if you do haveconcerns or things that you'd like to hear
(03:46):
answered on the show, please send them in.
And so, let's talk about PCOS, polycysticovarian syndrome.
So, despite the name, you don't need ovariancysts to have this.
It's really a hormonal and metabolic conditionand most commonly what it's going to present as
are things like irregular or absent periods,excess androgens like testosterone in females
(04:09):
which can lead to acne, hair growth or hairloss.
It's going to lead to things like ovulationissues, which can make fertility more
difficult.
And yes, you can get the stubborn cysts on theovaries, but they are a symptom, not the root
cause.
And so, the underlying root for many womenreally is the insulin resistance component.
(04:31):
Now, let's get into this insulin connection andultimately what that means.
So, as we've discussed in a few episodespreviously, more recently actually, insulin is
your blood sugar storage hormone.
Think of it like the key that unlocks the cellsto be able to take in fuel.
But when you become resistant to insulin, whichis very common, your body keeps pumping out
(04:55):
more and more and more.
Now, this happens because when we have elevatedblood sugar for too long, or consuming meals
too often, we have a bit of metabolicdysfunction, insulin is going to be secreted
more often, and higher dosages, over time thebody becomes resistant to this.
So, high insulin does a few dangerous things inwomen with PCOS.
(05:20):
First thing, it's going to stimulate theovaries to make more androgens like
testosterone.
It can disrupt ovulation which can lead toirregular or even absent periods.
It's going to promote fat storage, especiallyaround the abdomen and the belly area.
And it can fuel the metabolic storm that makesPCOS so tough to manage.
(05:40):
And that a lot of conventional doctors are notgoing to know because they just focus on the
medication side of things and focusing on thesymptoms, not on again, the entire person as a
whole.
They don't even think to look towards thisinsulin connection.
This is why so many women with PCOS are told tojust lose weight, which is very frustrating and
(06:00):
very unhelpful actually, because we have totreat the insulin resistance first if we want
to reverse those symptoms.
So, the good news is that you can do this andthrough food, movement, supplements, sleep,
we've actually helped women to transform theirPCOS outcomes naturally.
Now, the way we approach this, right?
(06:21):
We always want to talk about testing because ifyou're not testing, you're guessing.
And most doctors are not looking at the fullpicture, they're looking at a snapshot.
So, here's what I recommend you test if yoususpect PCOS or if you want to track your
progress with this condition.
First things first, a full hormone panel.
We have to see total and free testosterone.
(06:44):
DHEA, which is an adrenal androgen.
We want to see LH and FSH, this is luteinizinghormone and follicle stimulating hormone.
If you have a high LH to FSH ratio, that's verycommon with PCOS.
We also want to check progesterone, and youwant to check this mid luteal phase which is
about day twenty one of your cycle.
(07:05):
We also want to make sure we look at estradioland sex hormone binding globulin, which is
often low in PCOS.
Now the next thing, right, we talked about howimportant it is the insulin component, we want
to check a metabolic panel, but not justglucose, right?
Most docs are just going look at your glucoseand say okay, it's alright.
We want to check fasting insulin.
This one is huge, often skipped and probablythe most important.
(07:30):
Then we want to check fasting glucose,hemoglobin A1C, which is that three month blood
sugar average, and a lipid panel.
We want to look at cholesterol andtriglycerides as well.
And then, we want to look at a thyroid panel.
I want to see a full thyroid panel becausethese hormones play in tandem.
So, I want to see TSH, free T3 and free T4.
(07:50):
We want to see that reverse T3 and then we wantto see antibodies, TPO and TG antibodies to
rule out if there is Hashimoto's, which isoften found in connection with PCOS.
Some other helpful markers that we usually justhave is ferritin, which is testing for the
body's storage of iron, vitamin D, magnesium,and HSCRP, which is high sensitivity C reactive
(08:16):
protein, which is a inflammatory marker that isoften elevated in PCOS.
So, if you're working with a good functionalmedicine provider, like this person was that
sent me this message, these things shouldalready be on their radar.
If not, advocate for yourself because you needthe full picture.
And so, this is where you become your doctorand you can guide the process and ask for
(08:38):
things.
So, if you're listening to this, if you've beendiagnosed with PCOS, if you suspect you may
have it, here are a few key strategies that youneed to talk to your doctor about or start
implementing.
Number one, prioritizing blood sugar stability.
Protein with every meal, 20 to 30 gramsminimum.
(08:59):
Cutting out entirely refined carbs and sugar,any processed food.
And then consider some time restricted eatingor fasting if your body can tolerate it, if
you're not in a high stress environment.
Movement is key.
Walking daily, 10,000 steps a day.
And then adding in strength training, becausebuilding muscle will improve your sensitivity
(09:22):
to insulin.
Muscle is the most metabolic insulin sensitiveorgan that we have, and it can dramatically
lower insulin resistance.
The next thing is supporting your cycle.
There's some really great hormones that canhelp with this.
Magnesium is one.
Myo inositol, this is a fantastic one.
Also helps with balancing the thyroid withHashimoto's.
(09:45):
N acetylcysteine and omega-3s, these can allhelp.
But if you don't know where to start or howmuch to take, be sure to work with a provider,
functional medicine doctor or someone who'squalified.
And then again, making sure you're runningthose right labs.
You want to check labs every three months whenyou're working with hormonal conditions because
so much can change in a short period of time.
(10:06):
That's the fasting insulin, the hormones, andthen obviously the full metabolic picture.
And so, the takeaway here really is, you know,PCOS isn't just a fertility condition, it is
very much a metabolic and hormonal one.
And when we address it at the root, healing isabsolutely possible.
So, I want to thank you for sending in thisquestion.
(10:29):
Really glad I could go come on here and do thisfor you.
I hope this gave a little bit more clarity andencouragement to allow you to kind of take
action.
And you know, I want to let you know you're onthe right path.
I'm cheering for you.
I think you're doing a lot of really goodthings.
And now how do we just take this a stepfurther?
So if you're listening and you want to submit aquestion for a future episode, you can DM me on
(10:49):
Instagram.
You can it's doctoralphredalesi.
You can go reply to our newsletter or you cansend an email to askalessifxhealth dot com.
I check every single message.
If you found this valuable, please like,subscribe, share this with someone who needs to
hear this message.
That's the only way we really get this out.
That's the only way we can help more peoplechange more lives.
(11:12):
Go to AlessiFunctionalHealth.com to learn moreabout our programs, our functional medicine
programs, and Alessi Total Care, where we havecompletely changed the way that primary care
looks by taking a proactive approach, not justa reactive approach when symptoms appear.
As always, remember this, your health is inyour hands.
(11:32):
I'm doctor Lesse.
I will see you next time.
Thank you for tuning in to Health Decoded,where we break down the truth about all things
health and empower you to take charge of yourwell-being.
If you found value in today's episode, pleasesubscribe, leave a review, and share it with
someone who needs to hear this.
(11:52):
For more resources and personalized support,visit us at w alessifunctionalhealth.com and
sign up for our newsletter.
To hear your questions answered live on theshow, send them to ask@AlessiFXHealth.com.
That's ask@alessifxhealth.com.
Until next time, stay curious, stay empowered,and remember, your health is in your hands.
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