Your Labs Are "Normal"—So Why Don't You Feel Like Yourself? Hormones, Perimenopause & Advocating for Your Health with Cindy Dupuie

What happens when you know something has changed in your body—but you keep being told your labs are "normal" or that what you're experiencing is simply part of getting older? For too many women, that's where the conversation ends. In this episode of Empower HER Radio, Dr. Corey Winn sits down with functional medicine practitioner, nutritionist, educator, and yoga teacher Cindy Dupuie for a powerful conversation about perimenopause, menopause, hormone health, lab testing, and what it means to become an informed advocate for your own health. Cindy shares how her own health journey changed the trajectory of her career and why looking at the whole woman—not simply isolated symptoms or a single lab value—can reveal a much bigger picture. Together, Dr. Corey and Cindy explore the difference between being told your results fall within a "normal" range and understanding what may be optimal for you. They discuss why tracking changes over time matters, how hormones like estrogen and progesterone influence far more than hot flashes and periods, and why symptoms involving sleep, energy, mood, digestion, thyroid function, bone health, and more deserve thoughtful investigation. They also dive into one of the most important conversations women can have about their healthcare: How do you advocate for yourself when you know something feels different? Because you are allowed to ask more questions. You are allowed to say, "That answer doesn't make sense to me." You are allowed to ask, "What else could be contributing to this?" and "What are my options?" And you are allowed to seek a practitioner who is willing to listen, investigate, and help you understand the full picture. In this episode, you'll hear conversations about: • Perimenopause and menopause symptoms that may be overlooked or dismissed • "Normal" lab ranges versus looking at your individual health history and trends • Thyroid testing and why women may want to ask questions about a more complete evaluation • The roles of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone throughout the body • Hormones, sleep, mood, energy, digestion, bone health, and longevity • The evolving conversation around hormone replacement therapy (HRT) • Why education can help women feel more confident in medical appointments • How to ask better questions and advocate for the care you need This conversation is not about diagnosing yourself or chasing a perfect number. It's about becoming more informed, more curious, and more confident in the conversations you have about your body. If you've ever thought, I know something has changed, but I don't know how to explain it—or who will actually listen,this episode is for you. Your body is giving you information. You deserve the knowledge to understand it—and the confidence to keep asking questions until you find the care and answers you need. Connect with Cindy Dupuie: Visit Living Balance at alivingbalance.net to learn more about working with Cindy, her eight-week menopause education program, and her resources for women navigating the menopause transition. You can also find Cindy on Instagram at @cindy_dupuie and on YouTube at A Living Balance. What End is Up when it comes to HRT?: https://youtu.be/A-jMfvQifjo https://www.youtube.com/@alivingbalance This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always discuss your personal health history, symptoms, medications, and treatment options with a qualified healthcare professional.