Thyroid Health Deep Dive: Labs, Remedies, Medications and More with McCall McPherson
Apr 1, 2025
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In this enlightening discussion, McCall McPherson, a thyroid health expert, shares vital insights into managing thyroid conditions. She emphasizes the need for more than just TSH testing, advocating for comprehensive lab panels. Listeners learn about the significance of self-advocacy and informed lifestyle choices. McCall highlights the benefits of nutrient-rich diets, the impact of gluten and dairy, and the importance of protein and micronutrients for thyroid health. Empower yourself with actionable strategies to improve your well-being!
Advocating for comprehensive thyroid panels is crucial, as standard tests often fail to capture essential markers for a proper diagnosis.
Incorporating nutrient-dense foods while reducing inflammatory ones like gluten and dairy can significantly improve thyroid health and symptom management.
Deep dives
The Importance of Safe Children’s Vitamins
Typical children's vitamins often contain unhealthy ingredients such as high levels of sugar and artificial additives, which can be detrimental to children’s health. Haya Health offers a pediatrician-approved alternative that is free from these harmful substances, ensuring a healthier option for kids. Made with a blend of organic fruits and vegetables, Haya’s chewable vitamins provide essential nutrients without the typical sugar content found in most children's vitamins. This product aims to fill common dietary gaps in children to promote their overall well-being while appealing to even the pickiest eaters.
Navigating Thyroid Health
Many individuals, especially women, struggle with thyroid health issues and often face challenges in receiving accurate diagnoses and effective care. It's crucial for patients to advocate for themselves by requesting comprehensive thyroid panels, as standard tests may overlook significant markers. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the nuances in lab results, as what's deemed 'normal' may not truly indicate optimal health; personalized benchmarks are necessary for effective management. By empowering patients to take charge of their health, they can work toward achieving better outcomes and addressing their symptoms more effectively.
Lifestyle Factors Influencing Thyroid Function
Diet and lifestyle choices play a significant role in managing thyroid issues, and incorporating nutrient-dense foods can help foster better health outcomes. Reducing inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy can positively influence thyroid health and mitigate autoimmune responses, particularly in those with Hashimoto's disease. Additionally, managing stress and improving sleep can also support thyroid function, as the thyroid and adrenal systems are closely interconnected. Taking small, consistent steps toward these lifestyle adjustments can create a beneficial cycle that enhances overall energy levels and well-being.
Understanding the Role of Blood Sugar Management
Insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation are common challenges faced by individuals with thyroid conditions, making blood sugar management essential for overall health. Incorporating strategies such as consuming protein-rich foods first in meals and engaging in light physical activity after eating can greatly reduce blood sugar spikes. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels through tools like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can provide valuable insights into individual responses and patterns. By adopting these approaches, individuals can better manage their metabolic health and mitigate the negative impacts associated with thyroid dysfunction.
Why we can’t put our blind trust in practitioners when it comes to thyroid health and the tools to step into being your own primary healthcare provider for thyroid health
If you have thyroid symptoms, TSH is not enough
Labs to get: TSH, Free T3, T4, Reverse T3 (full thyroid function panel)
Women also need to be screened for Hashimotos with TPO
There is not a standardized “normal” range for thyroid labs… it's just based on what the lab dictates as normal and varies by lab
How diet and lifestyle factors come into play with addressing thyroid issues and activating thyroid issues
Diet and lifestyle factors that help: bring in more nutrients, experiment with reducing gluten and dairy
Bring in vs keep out mindset shift when it comes to healing
Food ordering for signaling safety to the body: protein first, micronutrient dense