672. My Mom Died of Alzheimer's. Are My Hormones, Thyroid & Metabolism Changing My Risk?

What if Alzheimer's doesn't begin when you start forgetting things, but decades earlier, with your blood sugar, your waistline, and your hormones? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. David Perlmutter, Board-Certified Neurologist and author of Grain Brain and his new book, Brain Defenders, to unpack why your brain's future is something you can influence. We talk about microglia, the brain's own immune cells, how they shift from protecting your brain to damaging it, and why chasing beta amyloid may be missing the bigger picture. We also get into how thyroid hormone, especially T3, fuels the mitochondria that help keep those immune cells supportive. We look at why the drop in estrogen during perimenopause may help explain why two-thirds of Alzheimer's patients are women. Dr. Perlmutter shares where he stands on hormone replacement therapy and testosterone and what the research says so far about GLP-1 medications and brain health. He also names the labs he wants everyone in their 30s, 40s, and 50s to know, including fasting insulin, A1C, and homocysteine. What you'll learn: Why Alzheimer's may begin decades before memory loss shows up Why Dr. Perlmutter says carrying the APOE4 gene variant means predisposed, not predetermined What microglia are and how they shift from supportive to destructive How blood sugar, gut inflammation, and head trauma can all affect your brain's immune cells How thyroid hormone and your mitochondria work together to support brain energy Why falling estrogen during perimenopause may put women's brains at greater risk Where Dr. Perlmutter stands on hormone replacement therapy and testosterone What the research says so far about GLP-1 medications and the brain Tune in to learn how to start protecting your brain now, long before any symptoms show up. Resources from Dr. David Perlmutter: Brain Defenders (book): https://braindefenders.com  Website: https://drperlmutter.com  Podcast: The Empowering Neurologist Follow Dr. Perlmutter on social media: Instagram: @davidperlmutter Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DavidPerlmutterMD  X: @davidperlmutter  Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/david-perlmutter-md  Grab your Thyroid Fixer here: https://betterlifedoctor.com/ New here? Use code LISTEN20 for 20% off your first order Returning customers can use code LISTEN10 for 10% off SHOP DR. AMIE'S FIXXR® SUPPLEMENTS: betterlifedoctor.com  LET'S GET YOUR LIFE BACK...Connect with Dr. Amie Hornaman Book a free thyroid and hormone solution call: https://dramiehornaman.com/pages/book-a-call  CHECK OUT MY FREEBIES... JUST CLICK BELOW Thyroid Optimization Guide: https://health.dramie.com/thyropause  7 Day Thyroid Healing Kickstarter: https://fixyourthyroid.com/7daykickstarter  Thyroid on Trial: https://health.dramie.com/thyroid-on-trial-optin  RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTS Show your love for Dr. Amie and The Thyroid Fixer Podcast! If you're enjoying our journey together, I'd be thrilled if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps me reach and help more people just like you, guiding them towards their optimal selves! Just click HERE: (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thyroid-fixer/id1529800263), scroll all the way down, give us those 5 stars, and share what you enjoy about my episodes in a review. Haven't subscribed yet? Make sure to follow The Thyroid Fixer Podcast to catch all the new episodes that come out every week. Follow HERE: (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thyroid-fixer/id1529800263) and never miss out on a moment of the journey! CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Join my exclusive Facebook Group and get questions answered LIVE weekly, Just Fix Your Thyroid, for a Community of HOPE and SUPPORT in your thyroid journey. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dramie/  Like me on Facebook: Amie Hornaman Nutrition and Functional Medicine (https://www.facebook.com/amiehornamannutrition/)  Subscribe on YouTube: Dr. Amie Hornaman (https://www.youtube.com/c/dramiehornaman)  Follow me on Instagram: @dramiehornaman (https://www.instagram.com/dramiehornaman/)  Disclaimer: Information provided on The Thyroid Fixer® podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem.