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

Rinku Mehra, MD
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Medicine

The Endo Kids Podcast Hosted by Dr. Rinku Mehra & Dr. Lindsey Waldman “Where little hormones meet big answers.” Welcome to The Endo Kids Podcast — your trusted place for clear, compassionate conversations about children’s hormone health. Pediatric endocrinologists Dr. Mehra and Dr. Waldman break down everything parents wonder about: growth issues, puberty timing, thyroid disorders, PCOS, Type 1 diabetes, obesity, metabolic health, and the everyday hormone questions that impact mood, sleep, weight, and development. Each episode delivers real answers parents wish they had sooner: What’s normal, what’s not, and when to worryHow hormones shape behavior, growth, and well-beingWhat treatments actually helpPractical, parent-friendly steps to help your child thriveWhether you're a parent, caregiver, or healthcare professional, The Endo Kids Podcast turns pediatric endocrine confusion into clarity — all in a warm, down-to-earth style. Because every child deserves to feel healthy, confident, and understood — and every parent deserves a guide they can trust. The Endo Kids Podcast:

  1. Episode 26: PCOS Is Now PMOS: Symptoms, Insulin Resistance, Fertility & What the Name Change Means

    6d ago

    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.

    21 min
  2. Episode 25: The Looksmaxxing Trap: What Teen Boys Are Secretly Taking to Build Muscle, Burn Fat, and Change Their Bodies

    May 4

    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.

    17 min
  3. Episode 24: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) in Children: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Explained

    Apr 27

    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.

    17 min
  4. Episode 23: Does My Child Need Growth Hormone? What Every Parent Should Know

    Apr 20

    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.

    24 min
  5. Episode 22: Strong Bones 101: Calcium and Vitamin D for Growth, Kids, and Teens

    Apr 13

    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.

    25 min
  6. Episode 21: Beyond the Plate: Understanding Eating Disorders in Kids

    Apr 6

    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.

    21 min
  7. Episode 20: PCOS in Teens: Irregular Periods, Acne, Heavy Periods & What Parents Need to Know

    Mar 30

    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.

    34 min
  8. Episode 19:Pediatric Sleep Problems: How Poor Sleep Affects Obesity, Diabetes, Growth & Hormones in Kids

    Mar 23

    Episode 19:Pediatric Sleep Problems: How Poor Sleep Affects Obesity, Diabetes, Growth & Hormones in Kids

    On the Endo Kids Podcast, pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Rinku Mehra interviews pediatric sleep expert Dr. Funke Brown, founder of The Restful Sleep Place, about why sleep is a foundational pillar of childhood health affecting brain function, emotion regulation, memory, metabolism, heart health, growth, puberty, obesity, and diabetes risk. Dr. Brown explains age-based sleep needs and how sleep architecture shifts from high REM in infancy to more deep sleep when growth hormone is released, then to more light sleep with age. They discuss effects of chronic sleep deprivation, why sleep should be part of endocrine treatment plans, common pediatric sleep disorders (sleep apnea, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, restless leg syndrome), when to pursue a sleep study, and how screens, caffeine, and late-night activity disrupt sleep. They also address teen circadian delay, melatonin use considerations, and note telehealth availability in NJ, PA, CA, and VA. 00:00 Welcome to Endo Kids 00:55 Meet Dr Funke Brown 02:15 Why Sleep Matters 03:51 Sleep Needs by Age 06:44 Sleep and Metabolism 09:12 Sleep in Treatment Plans 10:44 Common Sleep Disorders 11:59 When to Get a Study 13:52 Sleep and Growth Hormone 15:54 Teen Sleep Shift Explained 18:12 Sleep Hygiene Basics 19:28 Screens Blue Light Melatonin 21:11 Caffeine and Sleep 22:05 What Not to Do 23:09 Melatonin Safety Tips 24:41 Key Takeaway 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.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Endo Kids Podcast Hosted by Dr. Rinku Mehra & Dr. Lindsey Waldman “Where little hormones meet big answers.” Welcome to The Endo Kids Podcast — your trusted place for clear, compassionate conversations about children’s hormone health. Pediatric endocrinologists Dr. Mehra and Dr. Waldman break down everything parents wonder about: growth issues, puberty timing, thyroid disorders, PCOS, Type 1 diabetes, obesity, metabolic health, and the everyday hormone questions that impact mood, sleep, weight, and development. Each episode delivers real answers parents wish they had sooner: What’s normal, what’s not, and when to worryHow hormones shape behavior, growth, and well-beingWhat treatments actually helpPractical, parent-friendly steps to help your child thriveWhether you're a parent, caregiver, or healthcare professional, The Endo Kids Podcast turns pediatric endocrine confusion into clarity — all in a warm, down-to-earth style. Because every child deserves to feel healthy, confident, and understood — and every parent deserves a guide they can trust. The Endo Kids Podcast:

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