The Endo Kids Podcast-Where little hormones meet big answers.

The Endo Kids Podcast-Where little hormones meet big answers.

by Rinku Mehra, MD
MedicineParenting
Season 1
Episode 26: PCOS Is Now PMOS: Symptoms, Insulin Resistance, Fertility & What the Name Change Means
This episode explores the recent renaming of PCOS to P M O S, highlighting the shift in understanding this complex endocrine and metabolic condition. Dr. Rinku Mehra discusses the implications for diagnosis, treatment, and long-term health, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach beyond reproductive symptoms. 00:00 Introduction to PMOS: A Major Shift in Terminology 03:18 Understanding PMOS: Beyond Ovarian Cysts 07:23 The Role of Insulin Resistance in PMOS 11:27 The Emotional and Mental Health Impact of PMOS 14:51 Fertility Myths and Realities in PMOS 15:58 Treatment Approaches for PMOS 16:26 Guidance for Parents on PMOS Symptoms 17:33 Common Questions About PMOS 20:18 outro.mp3 Medical Disclaimer:The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
S1 · E26
Jun 1, 2026
21:04
Episode 25: The Looksmaxxing Trap: What Teen Boys Are Secretly Taking to Build Muscle, Burn Fat, and Change Their Bodies
This episode explores the rising trend of teen boys using substances like SARMs, steroids, and peptides to enhance their appearance rapidly. Dr. Waldman discusses where they get these substances, the risks involved, and how parents can recognize warning signs and start important conversations. 00:00The Looksmaxxing Trap: What Teen Boys Are Secretly Taking to Build Muscle, Burn Fat, and Change Their Bodies 02:27Understanding SARMs and Their Effects 05:15The Risks of Steroid Use 07:45The Dangers of Stacking Substances 10:24Peptides: A Growing Trend 12:58Recognizing Red Flags and Starting Conversations Medical Disclaimer: The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
S1 · E25
May 4, 2026
17:21
Episode 24: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) in Children: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Explained
Dr. Rinku Mehra and Dr. Lindsey Waldman of the Endo Kids Podcast explain congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), focusing on classic CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. They review how CAH is often detected through an abnormal newborn screen and confirmed with bloodwork (including 17-hydroxyprogesterone) and electrolytes, sometimes with genetic testing. They describe CAH as a genetic condition causing low cortisol (and sometimes low aldosterone) with excess androgens, which can lead to salt-wasting, dehydration, vomiting, and ambiguous genitalia in girls while boys may appear normal. They also discuss non-classic CAH presenting later with early puberty signs, acne, excess hair, or irregular periods. Management includes replacing missing hormones with hydrocortisone, sometimes fludrocortisone and salt supplements, monitoring growth, labs, and bone age, and using stress-dose steroids during significant illness or injury. 00:00 Welcome to Endo Kids 01:06 Episode Topic CAH 01:25 Newborn Screen Call 03:04 What Is CAH 05:02 Why It Happens 06:37 Types and Severity 08:21 Symptoms and Signs 10:13 Testing and Diagnosis 11:42 Treatment Basics 12:49 Follow Up and Monitoring 13:21 Stress Dosing Plan 15:01 Living Well With CAH 16:22 Wrap Up and Resources Medical Disclaimer: The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
S1 · E24
Apr 27, 2026
17:08
Episode 23: Does My Child Need Growth Hormone? What Every Parent Should Know
Dr. Rinku Mehra and Dr. Lindsey Waldman of the Endo Kids Podcast explain what growth hormone is, how it works through IGF-1, and why it affects more than height, including bone, muscle, fat metabolism, and energy. They stress that growth is a pattern over time and that “wait and see” can cost valuable time, so families should track accurate measurements, growth velocity, and consider bone age X-rays and labs when concerned. They review FDA-approved indications for treatment, including growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, chronic kidney disease, being small for gestational age without catch-up by age 2, and select cases of idiopathic short stature. They describe daily vs weekly injections, insurance considerations, monitoring with periodic bloodwork and annual bone age, potential side effects (site reactions, headaches, hip/joint pain, increased intracranial pressure, blood sugar changes, rare scoliosis), and note growth hormone is not helpful once growth plates are closed. 00:00 Welcome to Endo Kids 00:55 Today’s Topic Growth Hormone 01:36 Why Timing Matters 02:23 How Growth Hormone Works 04:34 Who Actually Needs It 07:23 Tracking Growth the Right Way 10:28 How Treatment Is Given 12:32 Daily vs Weekly Shots 14:03 Side Effects and Monitoring 19:11 Key Questions Before Starting 20:05 When It’s Too Late to Grow 22:40 Wrap Up and Resources Medical Disclaimer:The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
S1 · E23
Apr 20, 2026
23:50
Episode 22: Strong Bones 101: Calcium and Vitamin D for Growth, Kids, and Teens
Dr. Rinku Mehra and Dr. Lindsey Waldman discuss pediatric bone health, explaining that bones are metabolically active and shaped by osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes, with growth plates driving length until estrogen closes them in puberty. They emphasize peak bone mass, noting 40–60% is built in adolescence and ~90% by late adolescence/early adulthood. Practical guidance includes age-based calcium needs (1–3: 700 mg/day; 4–8: 1,000 mg/day; 9–18: 1,300 mg/day) spread throughout the day, calcium-rich foods (milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified plant milks, calcium-set tofu, leafy greens), and vitamin D (~600 IU/day) from sunlight, fortified foods, fatty fish, or supplements. They highlight weight-bearing/high-impact activity for bone density, key hormones (GH/IGF-1, estrogen, testosterone), risk factors (celiac, IBD, arthritis, kidney disease, long-term steroids, some anti-seizure meds), evaluation considerations (fracture history, growth, DEXA interpreted with pediatric norms), and red flags such as multiple long-bone fractures or vertebral fractures. 00:00 Welcome to Endo Kids 01:40 Bones as Living Tissue 02:54 Growth Plates and Peak Bone 04:25 Calcium Needs and Foods 06:42 Vitamin D and Key Nutrients 08:14 Exercise That Builds Bone 09:34 Hormones and Bone Health 11:26 Risk Factors and Medications 12:18 Testing and Red Flags 14:39 Daily Bone Healthy Habits 17:18 Common Questions and Supplements 20:24 Myth Busting Bone Health 23:23 Talk to Kids and Wrap Up Medical Disclaimer: The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
S1 · E22
Apr 13, 2026
25:25
Episode 21: Beyond the Plate: Understanding Eating Disorders in Kids
Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Lindsey Waldman welcomes registered dietitian nutritionist Shelby Santin, who specializes in eating disorders, to discuss adolescent nutrition, misconceptions, and supportive family strategies. Santin explains her role goes beyond meal plans to address food rules, fears, and barriers to adequate intake, emphasizing that eating disorders can affect anyone and are often missed due to stereotypes about body size. She outlines initial steps after referral: thorough history, assessing nutritional adequacy, coordinating medical evaluation, and building a family-supported plan. They discuss distinguishing eating disorders from picky eating, and how to talk about weight and food using neutral language and avoiding “good/bad” labels, including recommending clinicians discuss weight concerns with parents without the child present. Santin stresses early intervention, notes recovery timelines vary (often 6–12 months or longer), recommends two books, and shares how families can contact her for virtual or in-person care. 00:00 Show Welcome 00:55 Meet Shelby Santin 02:42 What Dietitians Do 03:46 Eating Disorder Myths 04:49 First Appointment Steps 05:44 Picky Eating Or Disorder 07:24 Talking About Weight 10:27 Neutral Food Language 12:16 Treatment Phases 14:04 Recovery Timeline 16:14 Key Takeaways 18:00 Books and Resources 18:47 Contact and Wrap Up 20:08 Final Outro Medical Disclaimer: The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
S1 · E21
Apr 6, 2026
20:54
Episode 20: PCOS in Teens: Irregular Periods, Acne, Heavy Periods & What Parents Need to Know
Dr. Rinku Mehra hosts the Endo Kids Podcast with guest Dr. Jessica Ritch, an OB-GYN with minimally invasive gynecology training, to discuss why adolescent menstrual health is a vital sign and how common conditions like PCOS can begin in the teen years but often go ignored. They address misconceptions that painful, heavy, or irregular periods are “normal,” explain when patterns warrant evaluation (especially if symptoms disrupt school or activities), and describe PCOS using parent-friendly criteria: irregular periods, androgen excess (acne, abnormal hair growth or hair loss), and polycystic-appearing ovaries. Dr. Ritch reviews workup (history, tracking cycles, labs including A1C/CBC/iron, and selective ultrasound), treatment options (lifestyle changes, hormonal contraception, metformin, spironolactone, and some supplements), stigma-free counseling, fertility considerations, and recommended ongoing follow-up into adulthood. 00:00 Welcome to Endo Kids 00:55 Meet the Guest 02:00 Why Periods Matter 04:14 Parent Period Myths 05:39 When to Get Checked 08:34 PCOS Explained Simply 12:13 Risks and Complications 13:42 Testing and Diagnosis 16:32 Treatment Options 21:10 Reducing PCOS Stigma 23:55 Fertility and PCOS 26:40 Long Term Follow Up 29:31 Key Takeaways and Resources 31:10 Google and Final Wrap 33:04 Podcast Outro Medical Disclaimer: The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
S1 · E20
Mar 30, 2026
33:50
Episode 18: When Should Kids See a GI Specialist? Growth, Feeding & Digestive Issues Explained
Dr. Lindsey Waldman hosts pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Natalie Sikka to discuss where gastroenterology and endocrinology overlap in children, especially around growth and nutrition. They explain that “normal” weight gain means tracking along an individual child’s growth curve, with concern raised by rapid increases or decreases, plateaus, or drops in weight or height percentiles, while considering genetics and dietary intake. Dr. Sikka outlines an evaluation for poor weight gain, including detailed diet history and assessing for vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, pain, swallowing issues, or malabsorption, with stepwise testing such as blood work, stool studies, imaging, and endoscopy/colonoscopy when indicated. They cover picky eating strategies emphasizing nutritious foods modeled by parents, the gut-brain connection and anxiety-related symptoms, practical constipation guidance, moderating sweets, and red flags warranting GI referral (night pain, persistent vomiting/diarrhea, blood in stool, anemia, unexplained weight loss, and growth changes). 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:32 Why Pediatric GI 03:34 What Normal Growth Means 05:09 Genetics Weight and Nutrition 06:52 Workup for Poor Weight Gain 09:03 Picky Eating Red Flags 10:27 Healthy Habits for Selective Eaters 13:22 Gut Brain Connection 14:30 Testing and Stepwise Evaluation 16:39 Constipation Practical Advice 19:10 Sweets and Junk Food Rules 21:01 When to See a GI 21:59 Myths Communication and Wrap Up 23:30 How to Book and Closing Medical Disclaimer: The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
S1 · E18
Mar 16, 2026
25:30
Episode 17: Living with Type 1 Diabetes: Nutrition, Exercise & CGM Strategies with Diabetes Expert Kelsie Lewis
In this episode of Endo Kids Podcast, Dr. Rinku Mehra interviews Kelsie Lewis, founder of Balanced Diabetes Wellness, about her personal journey with type 1 diabetes and her innovative approach to diabetes management. They discuss practical strategies, technology, misconceptions, and the importance of compassionate care for athletes and all individuals living with diabetes. 00:00 Introduction to Diabetes Care 00:49 Kelsey's Personal Journey with Diabetes 02:57 Navigating Life with Type 1 Diabetes 06:14 Transitioning to College and Managing Diabetes 09:00 Kelsey's Approach to Diabetes Education 11:08 Common Misconceptions in Diabetes Management 13:32 Exercise Myths and Blood Sugar Management 15:31 Strategies for Stabilizing Blood Sugar 17:27 Meal Planning for Different Types of Diabetes 18:48 Balancing Weight Management and Insulin Use 20:51 Understanding Continuous Glucose Monitors 23:23 Technology in Diabetes Management 27:23 Addressing Parental Concerns about Exercise 28:58 The Role of Athletics in Diabetes Management 29:50 Managing Tough Days with Diabetes 31:36 Supporting Clients through Diabetes Burnout 32:45 Recommended Tools and Apps for Diabetes Management 34:24 Final Thoughts and Resources Medical Disclaimer:The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
S1 · E17
Mar 9, 2026
37:25
Episode 16: The Adrenal Gland in Kids: Cortisol, Early Puberty, CAH & Adrenal Fatigue Explained
Dr. Rinku Mehra and Dr. Lindsey Waldman of the Endo Kids Podcast explain the adrenal glands’ structure (cortex and medulla), hormones (cortisol, aldosterone, adrenal androgens, adrenaline), and brain regulation via the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ACTH feedback loop. They clarify cortisol’s essential roles in blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, and stress response, and contrast adrenal insufficiency (fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, salt cravings, hyperpigmentation) and adrenal crisis (vomiting, dehydration, hypoglycemia, shock) requiring urgent hydrocortisone and IV fluids. They discuss excess cortisol/Cushing syndrome (weight gain with slowed height, round face, stretch marks, hypertension, mood changes), premature adrenarche versus central puberty, rare catecholamine tumors like pheochromocytoma, and common testing approaches. They cover congenital adrenal hyperplasia (often 21-hydroxylase deficiency), newborn screening, treatment, and stress dosing, and debunk “adrenal fatigue” while warning that unnecessary steroids can suppress adrenal function. 00:00 Welcome to Endo Kids 00:55 Adrenal Glands Overview 02:52 Cortisol Basics 04:06 Adrenal Insufficiency 05:38 Adrenal Crisis Signs 06:40 Too Much Cortisol 08:25 Adrenarche vs Puberty 10:56 Adrenal Medulla Hormones 11:46 Testing and Workup 12:24 Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia 14:51 Adrenal Fatigue Myth 16:51 Cushing Syndrome Deep Dive 20:01 Premature Adrenarche Tips 21:08 Rapid Fire Questions 24:38 Steroids and Adrenal Suppression 26:30 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up 27:06 Subscribe and Resources Medical Disclaimer: The information shared on The Endo Kids Podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance.
S1 · E16
Mar 2, 2026
27:52
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