If you’ve ever looked at a stool test and felt completely overwhelmed by all the bacteria names, numbers, and colors, you’re not alone.

In this episode, Dr. Heather breaks down exactly what your stool test says about your symptoms, from bloating and constipation to hormone imbalance, fatigue, and skin issues. You’ll learn why stool testing goes far beyond “good vs. bad bacteria,” and how it maps out your digestion, detox pathways, immune health, and overall gut terrain.

Dr. Heather explains what it really means when markers like beta-glucuronidase, H. pylori, calprotectin, or secretory IgA are high or low, and how these patterns overlap to reveal the root cause of your symptoms.

You’ll walk away with a whole new perspective on testing and why it’s not about just "treating the test" and more about understanding what your gut is trying to tell you about how your symptoms are connected.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why stool testing is about function, not just “fixing” numbers
• The connection between high beta-glucuronidase and estrogen or histamine symptoms
• How low commensal bacteria can drive leaky gut, fatigue, and skin issues
• Why H. pylori suppresses stomach acid and leads to low iron or reflux
• What low elastase means for digestion, bloating, and nutrient absorption
• How low secretory IgA reflects stress, burnout, and food sensitivities
• The link between fat malabsorption and low sodium or bile flow
• Why calprotectin and anti-gliadin IgA reveal deeper inflammation
• How to interpret patterns instead of chasing isolated markers

Don’t Miss This Sunday’s (Oct 19) Live Training! SIBO Unlocked

You’ll leave knowing exactly why SIBO (or chronic symptoms) keep coming back, and what to do about it so you can find relief for good!

Resources Mentioned:

• Apply for gutTogether: www.guttogetherprogram.com
  
  
• Follow Dr. Heather on Instagram: @drheatherfinley
  
  
• Want Dr. Heather'e eyes on your case? Purchase a Gut Health Audit

Rate, Review & Follow

If this episode helped you connect the dots about your gut health, take 30 seconds to leave a review! It means the world and helps more women find the show. Plus, when you screenshot and send your review to happygut@drheatherfinley.co you will have a chance to win a free HTMA bundle each month!

If you’ve ever been told your iron or ferritin is “low” but no one can explain why then this episode is for you.

Iron issues are rarely just about your diet or supplements. They’re often a reflection of what’s happening in your gut. In this episode, Dr. Heather breaks down how stomach acid, infections like H. pylori, mineral balance, and inflammation all impact how your body absorbs and uses iron.

You’ll learn:
✅ The real difference between ferritin and serum iron (and why both matter)
✅ What high or low ferritin actually means and the hidden gut clues behind it
✅ How minerals like copper, zinc, and potassium influence iron utilization
✅ Why iron supplements can make symptoms worse if the root cause isn’t addressed
✅ Practical steps to rebuild your terrain for better energy, digestion, and balance

If your labs have never made sense or you’ve been stuck taking iron without feeling any better this episode will help you see why.

Links Mentioned:

Register for the Free Webinar (October 19):
Learn why SIBO and slow motility might be keeping you stuck and how to finally rebuild your gut for lasting relief.

Try Lactoferrin
A gentle, food-derived way to support iron balance and immune health without feeding infections.

Work with Our Team:
Get personalized testing and root-cause support through our gutTogether® program.

Connect with Dr. Heather on Instagram:
For daily gut health tips, case studies, and behind-the-scenes updates.

Tune in to discover how your gut and minerals could be the missing link to finally balancing your iron and feeling like yourself again.

Fibermaxxing is the latest wellness Tik Tok trend which involves loading up on beans, seeds, and high-fiber foods in the name of better gut health. But is more fiber always better?

For some, adding fiber means smoother digestion, steadier blood sugar, and more energy. For others, it leads to gas, constipation, or bloating that only gets worse. So what’s the truth?

In this episode of the Love Your Gut podcast, Dr. Heather breaks down what fibermaxxing gets right, what it gets wrong, and how to eat fiber in a way your gut can actually handle.

You’ll learn:

• Why fiber is suddenly trending (and why most people don’t get enough)
• What the largest gut health study says about dietary diversity and your microbiome
• The “Fiber Ladder” approach to increase intake without feeling miserable
• A simple breakdown of fiber types: soluble, insoluble, prebiotic, resistant starch, and polyphenols
• Why you might feel worse when you cut out fiber (and what that really means about your gut)
• A practical meal framework (PFCC: protein, fat, fiber, color) to use daily

Resources & Next Steps:

• Read the blog with fiber resources
• Apply for gutTogether® VIP for customized support
• Start with a Gut Health Audit if you want a personalized assessment

Stay connected:

• Instagram: @drheatherfinley

Have you been told “everything looks normal” on your labs, scopes, or bloodwork but you still feel bloated, constipated, or exhausted? You’re not alone.

In this episode of the Love Your Gut Podcast, I’m breaking down why the GI-Map stool test can be a game-changer when all your other results come back “normal.” You’ll learn what the test measures, why it’s different from standard stool testing, and how it connects the dots between gut function, hormones, immune health, and energy.

We’ll cover:

• What the GI-Map actually measures (and why it’s more than just “yes/no” for parasites or infections)
• The most common hesitations about stool testing and why they’re valid but often keep people stuck
• Why I often prefer the GI-Map over SIBO testing as a first step
• Real client examples of how GI-Map results explained years of frustrating symptoms
• Who benefits most from this test (hint: if you’ve been told everything is fine but you don’t feel fine, this is for you)

If you’ve been living in the “everything is normal” camp but know in your gut something’s off, this episode will help you understand whether a GI-Map is the right next step.

Links & Resources

• 👉 Follow me on Instagram
• 👉 Book a Gut Health Audit: get my eyes on your case and I'll provide you with where the gaps are and exactly what your next steps should be!
• 👉 Apply for gutTogether VIP: Ready for the most comprehensive support? gutTogether® is our signature 6 month program (which includes GI Map testing)
• 👉 Compare our gut health programs

If you’ve been dealing with reflux, bloating, constipation, or even anxiety and can’t figure out why, histamines might be part of the picture. In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Shapiro, RD, to break down the connection between histamine intolerance, MCAS, and gut symptoms and why so many people feel worse with standard gut protocols.

Michelle and I discuss:

• What histamine intolerance really is and how it overlaps with MCAS
• The wide range of symptoms histamine issues can cause (and why they’re often missed)
• How the gut, DAO enzyme, and microbiome influence histamine balance
• Why nervous system support is just as important as gut support
• Practical steps you can take if you suspect histamine intolerance

Michelle also shares her personal journey with histamines, mold exposure, and POTS and how slowing down and supporting safety in the body can be a turning point for healing.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Gupta Program (free 28 day trial with this link)
  
  
• Michelle’s Histamine Essentials Webinar
  
  
• Michelle's Sept 28th Webinar
  
  
• Michelle’s Website
  
  
• Michelle’s Instagram
  
  

Stay Connected with Dr. Heather:

• Follow on Instagram
  
  
• Visit the Website
  
  

About Michelle: Michelle Shapiro, RD is a functional/ integrative Registered Dietitian who has helped over 3,000 clients transform their health over the past 11 years. As the founder of an NYC-based virtual private practice, Michelle leads a team of six expert nutritionists who specialize in complex cases including histamine issues, gut dysfunction, chronic anxiety, and weight concerns. She is the creator of the viral Histamine Essentials Webinar, which is available now on replay, and the host of the top-rated podcast Quiet the Diet, where she breaks down the science behind chronic illness in a way that actually makes sense and makes you feel seen. Michelle is the go-to expert for people who have tried everything and are ready for a real plan.

Have you ever told yourself, “It’s not that bad , I’ll deal with it later” when it comes to your gut symptoms (or anything?)?

I get it because I did the same thing. For years, I brushed off my bloating, constipation, and fatigue, hoping they’d go away. But ignoring those whispers from my gut eventually led to bigger problems: SIBO, Hashimoto’s, a slowed metabolism, and histamine issues.

Here’s the truth: your symptoms aren’t random. They’re signals & your gut waving a red flag asking for support. When you ignore them, they snowball into more complicated issues that are harder (and more expensive) to fix down the road.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• How ignoring “small” gut symptoms can turn into bigger health issues
• The snowball effect of reflux, constipation, bloating, and diarrhea
• Why functional medicine isn’t just about supplements
• My personal journey of what happened when I didn’t listen to my gut
• Why your symptoms are signals, not something to fear

And for the very first time, I’m offering something brand new: the Gut Health Audit.

👉 This is the most affordable way to get eyes on your case! Just $89! You’ll complete a comprehensive intake form, and I’ll personally review it to identify the gaps in your care, highlight patterns, and share your next steps. Whether that’s with us in gutTogether® or something totally different, you’ll finally have clarity on what to do next.

But spots are limited, only 20 spots are available (and as a podcast listener you're the first to hear about it!)

Connect with Dr. Heather

Instagram

gutTogether program website

Have you tried all the gut-healing protocols, supplements, and diets, but you’re still constipated, bloated, or exhausted? You’re not alone, and the reason you’re stuck may not be what you think.

In this episode of the Love Your Gut podcast, I’m sharing the overlooked foundations that can make or break your gut healing journey. These aren’t the flashy, “quick-fix” solutions you see all over social media, but they’re the simple, powerful pieces that actually help your gut recover.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why eating the same 5–10 foods can cause dysbiosis, leaky gut, and food reactions.
• How mineral depletion keeps you stuck in a cycle of low energy, hormone imbalances, and poor motility.
• Why low stomach acid, enzyme output, and bile flow can trigger infections like H. pylori and recurrent SIBO.
• The connection between nervous system dysregulation and low secretory IgA, reflux, and constipation.
• Practical steps you can start using today to finally support your gut the way it needs.

If you’ve been “doing everything right” and not feeling better, one of these missing pieces may be the reason.

Resources and Links:

📥 Grab my free mineral guide to start rebuilding your foundation today

💻 Want personalized support? Learn more and apply to the gutTogether program here

➡️ For more tips, follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

Have you ever tried a “Candida diet” or an antifungal supplement only to find yourself right back where you started? You’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the truth about Candida overgrowth and why diet or antifungals alone don’t solve the problem. Candida isn’t something you can just starve or kill into submission, the real key is fixing the terrain that allowed it to grow in the first place.

In this episode I cover:

• Why Candida is part of a normal gut microbiome (and when it becomes a problem)
• Myths that keep people stuck like “starving Candida” with diet or relying on antifungals
• The real root causes of Candida overgrowth, including blood sugar imbalances and depleted commensals
• Why Candida is so hard to detect on stool testing and other testing options
• Practical strategies to support digestion, motility, and minerals so Candida doesn’t keep coming back

Whether you’ve struggled with Candida symptoms for years or you’re a practitioner supporting clients, this episode will help you shift from the endless Candida-killing cycle to building a resilient gut terrain.

💡 Resources & Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Take the free "Why Am I Bloated" Quiz
• Learn more about gutPractitioner™: my 4-month mentorship for dietitians and health professionals
• Connect with me on Instagram @drheatherfinley