Ep337: Want Your Spark Back? Let’s Talk Testosterone for Women with Danielle Brandt

In this episode, I sit down with nurse practitioner Danielle Brandt to talk about the misconceptions around testosterone for women and why the conversation is way more nuanced than social media makes it seem. We cover common signs of low testosterone in perimenopause, the different therapy options available, who might benefit, and how to know if it’s actually something worth considering for you. If you’ve been curious about testosterone but also overwhelmed by all the conflicting information online, this conversation will help you think about it in a much more informed way. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why testosterone gets labeled a “male hormone” and why that’s misleading - The role testosterone plays in energy, mood, libido, and muscle for women - Signs your testosterone might be low (that you might be brushing off) - Why you can feel “off” even if your labs are technically “normal” - The barriers women face when trying to even test or treat low testosterone - Different ways testosterone is used (creams, gels, injections, etc.) - Pros and cons of each option (and what to consider) - How to have a better, more informed conversation with your provider - Why testosterone might be the missing piece for some women Subscribe: https://carrotsncake.substack.com Join Fit + Fueled: https://carrots-n-cake.mykajabi.com/fit+fueled Connect with Tina Haupert: https://carrotsncake.com/ Facebook: Carrots 'N' Cake https://www.facebook.com/carrotsncake Instagram: @carrotsncake https://www.instagram.com/carrotsncake YouTube: Tina Haupert https://www.youtube.com/user/carrotsncake About Tina Haupert: Tina Haupert is the owner of Carrots ‘N’ Cake as well as a Certified Nutrition Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P). Tina and her team use functional testing, peptides, and a personalized approach to nutrition to help women find balance within their diets while achieving their body composition goals. Connect with Danielle Brandt: https://www.joinsparqhealth.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparqhealth/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sparq-Health/61552158500991/ About Danielle Brandt: I’m Danielle Brandt, a Nurse Practitioner with over 23 years of healthcare experience, a Menopause Society Certified Provider, and currently working on my board certification with the American Academy of Anti-Aging. As the founder of Sparq Health, my mission is simple: to help you feel strong, energized, and truly alive—at every stage of life. My journey into advanced health optimization didn’t start in a textbook—it started in my own body. Over 20 years ago, I hit a breaking point. I was exhausted, achy, foggy, and loaded with autoimmune markers, yet no doctor could tell me why. I trusted the system, but when conventional medicine had no answers, I took matters into my own hands and turned to functional medicine. Eventually, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Through a year of relentless dedication—dialing in my nutrition, optimizing lifestyle habits, and experimenting with nutraceuticals and alternative therapies like red light therapy—I reclaimed my health. That experience opened my eyes to what’s possible when we treat the root cause, not just mask symptoms. Fast forward 15 years, and I found myself in another health crisis. After multiple miscarriages, I had my son at 42 (thank you, progesterone therapy!), but the fatigue that followed wasn’t just from sleepless nights. For two years, I battled debilitating exhaustion, body vibrations, palpitations, crushing headaches, and an eerie sense of detachment. Music, chocolate, the outdoors—my favorite things—felt joyless. I knew something was severely wrong, but once again, conventional medicine had nothing for me except a handful of prescriptions.