About
Menopause Mastery | Menopause and Genetics: Why Your DNA Test Might Be Missing the Real Story | Ep. 292 with Dr. Tracey Steady-Hardcastle
🌿Welcome to The Menopause Mastery Show!
In this episode, Dr. Betty Murray talks with Dr. Tracey Steady-Hardcastle of The DNA Company about how functional genomics can help women better understand the changes happening in perimenopause and menopause.
They dig into why many common DNA tests feel overwhelming or too narrow, and why a polygenic approach can give a more useful picture of how genes work together. The conversation also covers estrogen detoxification myths, MTHFR, cardiovascular risk, mood, exercise recovery, and how genetics can support more personalized decisions around diet, lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation.
In this episode, you'll learn:
🔹Why single-gene testing often misses the bigger picture
🔹What polygenic scores are and why they matter
🔹How genetics can inform menopause support
🔹What MTHFR really does and why it gets oversimplified
🔹How genes may influence mood, recovery, detoxification, and cardiovascular risk
🔹How functional genomics can help personalize health decisions
If you've ever looked at a genetic report and thought, "Okay, but what does this actually mean for me?", this episode is for you.
👉 About Dr. Tracey Steady-Hardcastle:
Dr. Tracey Steady is an expert in functional genomics, acupuncture, and Chinese medicine with more than two decades of experience helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause. Connect with her at: https://thednacompany.com/
📌 Connect with Dr. Betty Murray:
Website: https://www.drbettymurray.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbettymurray/
✅ Let us know what you think! Like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube:
@drbettymurray
🔗 Links:
The Fierce Female Method for Longevity (Dr. Betty's book): https://fierce.hormoneshelp.com/
Menrva Telemedicine: https://gethormonesnow.com/
Living Well Dallas: https://www.livingwelldallas.com/
🎙️ More from the Podcast:
Subscribe to #MenopauseMastery → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwONPdSvb2-YYY74VhD-XBw
Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/menopause-mastery/id1607369247
Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0tNsjm32CZNXSgSFEwS3uH
Thank you for listening to Menopause Mastery. Empowering your health journey, one episode at a time.
#menopausemastery #menopausepodcast #drbettymurray #menopause #perimenopause #postmenopause #andropause #womenshealth #dna #menopausegenetics #genetics
Menopause Mastery — Show Note Chapters
00:00 — Why Menopause Can Make Your Body Feel Completely Different
02:24 — Dr. Tracey Steady's Path Into Functional Genomics
04:23 — Why Single-Gene Testing Can Miss the Bigger Picture
05:16 — Methylation, MTHFR, and the Problem With One-Gene Solutions
08:03 — DIM, Estrogen Metabolism, and Over-Supplementation
09:17 — Genetic Disease vs. Functional Genomics
13:32 — Using Genetics to Make Smarter Health Decisions
16:20 — Carbs, Saturated Fat, and Personalized Nutrition
17:25 — Why Keto May Not Work for Everyone
20:53 — Genetics Helps You Ask Better Health Questions
22:05 — Hormones, Neurotransmitters, and Polygenic Scoring
23:27 — COMT, Estrogen Fluctuations, and Perimenopausal Mood
26:15 — The "Slow COMT" Personality and Stress Response
29:59 — How Genetics Can Point to Better Testing
34:10 — Genetics and Hormone Production, Binding, and Metabolism
35:57 — What "Estrogen Toxicity" Really Means
37:13 — Detoxification Pathways, the Gut, and Hormone Elimination
39:56 — Why Women's Health Can't Be Treated in Silos
41:25 — Genetics, Exercise Performance, and Recovery
44:16 — How Genetics May Affect Hormone Therapy Response
45:58 — DNA 180 vs. the Newer DNA Testing Panel
48:29 — Prioritizing Your Biggest Health Risks and Opportunities
51:04 — Final Takeaways and Where to Learn More