353. Thyroid, Gut and More

Jan 11, 2026

Dr. Christine Maren, a board-certified family medicine physician specializing in functional medicine, joins the conversation on women's health. She discusses the unique adaptability of female physiology and how it impacts thyroid function and gut health, especially under chronic stress. Dr. Maren highlights the interplay between hormones, fertility, and environmental factors, emphasizing that women's bodies are not broken but responsive. She shares insights on Hashimoto's disease, stress management, and practical gut health tips for optimizing overall wellness.

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INSIGHT

Adaptability Is A Double-Edged Sword

Female physiology evolved to be highly adaptable to support reproduction, which creates trade-offs in modern chronic-stress environments.
That adaptability can drive thyroid, gut, and hormone vulnerabilities rather than meaning women are "broken."

ADVICE

Order A Full Thyroid Panel

Test beyond TSH by ordering free T4 and free T3 to see production and active hormone levels.
Consider reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies for a fuller picture when symptoms persist.

INSIGHT

T3, Reverse T3 And Autoimmunity Matter

Free T3 is the active hormone at the receptor while reverse T3 can indicate metabolism is being shunted down.
Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies reveal autoimmune Hashimoto’s risk even with normal labs.

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In this episode of the You Are Not Broken podcast, Dr. Kelly Casperson sits down with Dr. Christine Maren to explore one of the most under-recognized truths about women’s bodies: female physiology is exceptionally adaptable—and that adaptability comes with trade-offs.

Women’s bodies evolved to support reproduction, and that evolutionary priority shaped a physiology that can adjust rapidly to stress, environment, and demand. But that same flexibility can come at a cost, especially in today’s world of chronic stress, environmental exposures, and constant pressure.

Together, Dr. Casperson and Dr. Maren unpack how this rapid adaptability may contribute to issues like thyroid dysfunction, hormone imbalance, gut disruption, and infertility—and why understanding these patterns is essential for improving women’s health care.

Why female physiology is uniquely adaptable—and how reproduction shaped that design
How rapid physiological adaptation can stress systems like the thyroid
The links between chronic stress, hormones, gut health, and fertility
How environmental factors interact with women’s biology
Why adaptability can be both a powerful strength and a vulnerability
The importance of recognizing these trade-offs in modern women’s health care

Women’s bodies are not “broken.” They are highly responsive systems doing exactly what they evolved to do—often in environments that no longer support them. Understanding the costs of adaptation is the first step toward more compassionate, effective, and science-based care.

Dr. Maren's Website

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