Functional Medicine vs Conventional Medicine: The Future of Hormone Health

Millions of people struggle with fatigue, weight gain, thyroid issues, insulin resistance, menopause symptoms, and hormone imbalance—but are we treating the symptoms instead of the root cause?In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj sits down with functional endocrinologist Dr. Saadia Mian to explore why conventional medicine often overlooks the deeper causes of hormone dysfunction and metabolic disease.Together they discuss: Why insulin resistance starts years before diabetes  The connection between gut health and hormones  Hashimoto's disease and thyroid dysfunction  PCOS and metabolic health  Menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)  GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy  Stress, cortisol and the hidden drivers of chronic illness  Functional medicine versus conventional medicine  Practical lifestyle changes that can dramatically improve hormone health Whether you're struggling with fatigue, stubborn weight gain, thyroid disease, menopause symptoms, or simply want to optimize your long-term health, this conversation provides a science-backed roadmap to understanding your body.Time Stamps00:00 Introduction01:15 Why Both Doctors Left Conventional Medicine04:10 Dr. Saadia's Functional Medicine Journey05:15 What Is Functional Endocrinology?07:00 Hashimoto's & Autoimmune Thyroid Disease09:00 Treating Root Causes Instead of Symptoms10:45 Insulin Resistance & PCOS13:15 Gut Health and Hormones15:10 Functional Hormone Testing18:25 Menopause & Hormone Replacement Therapy22:45 Why Endocrinologists Aren't Trained in HRT25:20 Hormone Therapy Safety26:00 GLP-1 Medications Explained30:00 Should Everyone Take Ozempic?33:00 Trauma, Stress & Weight Gain37:00 Functional Medicine vs Conventional Medicine40:15 The Earliest Signs of Insulin Resistance42:30 Three Lifestyle Changes That Improve Hormones47:45 Artificial Sweeteners vs Sugar51:00 Finding a Functional Endocrinologist53:00 Why Insulin Resistance Is the Root Cause54:30 Early Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore57:30 Rapid Fire Questions