In this episode of Autoimmune Alchemy, I sit down with my fellow Andrew Weil Center cohort member and dear friend, Dr. Micah Howard — integrative physician, hypnotherapist, and Alabama's trailblazer in root-cause medicine.
We dive DEEP into the testosterone conversation most doctors are getting wrong. Is TRT always necessary? What's really driving the hormonal crash in men? And what can herbs, lifestyle, and nitric oxide do before you ever pick up a syringe?
Whether you're navigating autoimmune disease, fatigue, or hormonal imbalance — this one's for you.
10 KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Testosterone isn't a fix-all.
- Body fat is the #1 testosterone killer.
- Endocrine disruptors are real and everywhere.
- Remove the poison before you add anything.
- Natural boosters work — if you give them time.
- Nitric oxide is the unsung hero of men's health.
- Testosterone levels are wildly dynamic.
- GLP-1s are a double-edged sword.
- Testosterone can improve autoimmune symptoms.
- Sugar is hormonal sabotage — and it's addictive by design.
CHAPTERS
01:52 Testosterone Hype And Risks
04:19 Why Levels Are Dropping
07:03 Endocrine Disruptors
09:04 GLP One Tradeoffs
10:17 Target Levels And Testing
13:12 Deficiency Signs And Vascular Health
14:37 Lifestyle Before TRT
18:18 Women And Testosterone
20:13 Natural Boosters And Herbs
23:54 Hibiscus For Water Retention
24:25 Hawthorn And Vessel Support
25:08 Ginseng And Key Adjuncts
27:27 Best Forms To Take
29:25 Stacking Versus Single Herbs
30:19 Men Versus Women Use
31:18 Trial Timelines And Goals
33:41 Testosterone Delivery Options
36:01 Autoimmune Links And Sugar Breaks
39:59 Wrap Up And Where To Find
GUEST DETAILS
Dr. Micah Howard, MD, ABOIM Board-Certified Integrative & Family Physician | CEO & Medical Director, Healing University Alabama's first integrative primary care clinic — rooted in Ayurvedic, Native American & evidence-based medicine.
🎓 Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Fellow
📍 Decatur, Alabama
📖 Author of Body of Work + 7 published collections
🌐 Website: bewellconnective.com
📧 Email: micahhowardmd@gmail.com
About Your Hosts
Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP
Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.
Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM
Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.
About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast
Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy
AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.
Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy
Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
Email: contact@myautoimmunemd.com
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