39: Getting to the Root Cause of Insomnia and Sleep Issues | Dr. Damiana Corca

In this episode of The Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews sleep expert and functional medicine practitioner Dr. Damiana Corca to explore the often-overlooked connection between sleep disorders and thyroid health. Dr. Corca shares insights from her clinical experience and her new book, The Deep Blue Sleep Book, which offers a practical roadmap to achieving truly restorative sleep.

Listeners will discover the five primary types of insomnia and how they intersect with Hashimoto’s, adrenal dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, and even gut infections. Whether you’re struggling to fall asleep, waking too early, or feeling “wired but tired,” this conversation offers compassionate, root-cause solutions to help you get the rest you need and deserve. 

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• There are five distinct types of insomnia, and each requires a different healing strategy. Understanding your type is key to finding relief.

• Hashimoto’s often overlaps with adrenal dysfunction, which can make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep — even if you’re utterly exhausted.

• Gut infections like H. pylori and Blastocystis hominis can be hidden culprits behind both thyroid flares and sleep disruptions, even without obvious digestive symptoms.

• Hormonal imbalances in perimenopause are a major trigger for sleep issues, especially when paired with blood sugar imbalances and chronic stress.

• Histamine intolerance is an under-recognized cause of insomnia, especially in people who struggle with nighttime itching, swelling, or racing thoughts.

• Sleep quality — not just quantity — is crucial, and Dr. Corca shares what healthy sleep actually looks and feels like, including tips for waking up refreshed.

  
  

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For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/