Thyroid Answers Podcast

In this in-depth episode of Thyroid Shorts, Dr. Eric Balcavage addresses one of the most misunderstood aspects of thyroid physiology: T4 to T3 conversion problems.   What You'll Learn: Why conventional medicine ignores conversion issues and focuses only on TSH The critical difference between "broken" physiology vs. adaptive responses How deiodinase enzymes (D1, D2, D3) actually control thyroid hormone conversion Why your body might be intentionally reducing T4 to T3 conversion The real reasons behind elevated reverse T3 levels Why T3 medication often backfires and creates more problems Practical steps to naturally improve conversion through addressing root causes Dr. Balcavage explains how reduced T4 to T3 conversion isn't a malfunction—it's often your body's intelligent response to cellular stress, inflammation, or danger signals. Instead of forcing conversion with medication, he advocates for identifying and addressing the underlying stressors through his Strategic Thyroid Solution approach.   Key Topics: Thyroid conversion, T4 to T3, functional medicine, reverse T3, deiodinase enzymes, cellular physiology, stress response, inflammation, homeostasis vs allostasis   Resources Mentioned: The Thyroid Debacle book Free discovery calls at DrEricBalcavage.com Thyroid Recovery Blueprint Perfect for anyone struggling with hypothyroid symptoms despite "normal" labs or those on T3 medication without lasting results.

Struggling with thyroid belly that won't budge despite being told your TSH is "normal" or "optimized"? Dr. Eric Balcavage reveals why 70% of people on thyroid medication were put on it inappropriately and why T3 medication often makes things worse. Discover the difference between homeostasis vs. allostasis and why your cells aren't broken—they're adapting. Key Topics Covered: Why thyroid optimization fails vs. true thyroid recovery The cell danger response and allostatic regulation Why more T4/T3 medication often worsens symptoms Strategic Thyroid Recovery Blueprint approach 18 Fitness Factors assessment for root cause analysis Escaping "thyroid purgatory" for good RESOURCES: Fitness Factor Assessment: DM "fitness" on Instagram @drericbalcavage • Thyroid Recovery Blueprint: www.drericbalcavage.com Free Discovery Call: www.drericbalcavage.com TIMESTAMPS: 0:06 - Why thyroid belly persists despite "normal" labs 2:44 - Modern thyroid care failures (conventional vs functional) 4:22 - SHOCKING: 70% inappropriate thyroid prescriptions 8:21 - Blood levels vs cellular physiology disconnect 10:29 - HOMEOSTASIS vs ALLOSTASIS explained 15:16 - Why doctors fail despite "optimizing" labs 17:29 - "Thyroid purgatory" concept 18:23 - Why there's no optimal thyroid hormone dose in allostasis 21:21 - Strategic Thyroid Recovery Solution 22:44 - 18 Fitness Factors assessment (DM "fitness" for free copy) 26:39 - Strategic supplementation approach 30:07 - T3 medication controversy: 5-10 mcg max 32:30 - HOPE: Thyroid belly is NOT a life sentence 33:03 - Action steps & free resources #ThyroidBelly #HypothyroidSymptoms #ThyroidRecovery #CellularHypothyroidism #AllostaticRegulation #StrategicThyroidSolution #ThyroidPurgatory

Episode Summary Join Dr. Eric Balcavage and Dr. Kelly Halderman for this milestone 200th episode of Thyroid Answers! This comprehensive discussion covers the evolution of thyroid care, key lessons learned from treating hundreds of patients, and the future of thyroid recovery. Dr. Eric shares his 70% patient recovery rate and explains why the shift from management to recovery is revolutionizing thyroid care. Key Topics & Timestamps 🎉 Opening Celebration & Reflection (0:00-10:00) Celebrating 200 episodes and the thyroid recovery revolution Evolution of thyroid conversations on social media The shift from symptom management to root-cause recovery 📊 The Data Behind Recovery (10:00-35:00) What 70% recovery rate actually looks like for patients Why "normal labs but still sick" is so common Cellular hypothyroidism explained simply Moving away from "optimal lab ranges" obsession Lab interpretation vs. just reading high/low values 🔥 Social Media Hot Topics (35:00-65:00) Gut-Thyroid Connection: Starting with foundations, not complex protocols Mind-Body Connection: Subconscious stress and emotional baggage impact Medication Debates: Focus on adequate T4, not chasing T3 optimization Lab Posting in Groups: Questions to ask doctors instead of strangers Stress Management: Practical strategies without getting stressed about stress Nutrition Confusion: Whole food diet 80-85% of the time, avoid food fear 🚀 The Future of Thyroid Care (65:00-80:00) Shift from "broken physiology" to "adaptive physiology" model Cell danger response vs. homeostasis understanding Certification program development for practitioners Open rounds for clinicians to learn new interpretation methods 💡 Key Takeaways for Recovery Your body isn't broken - it's adapting to stress Recovery requires addressing the state you're in (homeostasis vs. allostasis) The elephant in the room is often emotional/mindset issues Forgiveness is one of the most powerful "biohacks" Set boundaries and prioritize your health in your daily schedule Notable Quotes "Your lab values are rarely ever the actual problem" "You can have values out of the functional range and you're perfectly healthy" "What goes on in your mind has a massive impact on your gut physiology" "If you've tried everything and nothing works, you're not in homeostasis" "The body adapts; it's not broken" Resources Mentioned The Thyroid Debacle book (co-authored with Dr. Kelly Halderman) Strategic Thyroid Recovery Blueprint (DIY course) MAP Method with Madeline Lowry Emotion Code technique Discovery calls available at Dr. Eric's website Next Steps for Listeners Self-Assessment: Consider if you want management or recovery DIY Option: Thyroid Recovery Blueprint course for a self-guided approach One-on-One: Schedule a discovery call for a personalized strategy Future: Certification program will train more practitioners in this model Dr. Kelly Halderman is a distinguished leader in the field of integrative and precision health, with extensive expertise in functional medicine, nutrigenomics and nutraceutical formulation. She earned her medical doctorate in 2007 and completed a family practice medicine internship at the University of Minnesota in 2009 (license retired). Dr. Halderman also earned a Traditional Naturopathic Degree, a Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN), is a board-certified clinical nutritionist (CCN) and is working on completing her PhD in Executive Leadership. Dr. Halderman is a recognized international educator, specializing in innovative approaches to health optimization. She holds certifications in MethylGenetic Nutrition through the Nutrigenetic Research Institute and Functional Neurology and Neurofeedback from the American Functional Neurology Institute. Her commitment to advancing healthcare is demonstrated by her active memberships in leading organizations, including the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Women in Nutraceuticals, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Women In Nutraceuticals, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs, and her role as President and founder of The American Association of Nutraceutical Formulators. Her extensive experience in nutraceutical science includes formulating cutting-edge supplements and educating consumers, practitioners, and professional organizations, such as the NFL Hall of Fame, on novel health solutions. She is also an accomplished author on various topics in functional medicine including Phase 2.5 Detox and The Thyroid Debacle and has her research published in the prestigious journal Aging. Currently serving as a Clinical Advisor at Premier Research Labs & ExtendingMe, Dr. Halderman continues her mission to empower individuals through proper nutrition and advanced health strategies based on nutrigenomic and epigenetic testing. Her lifelong dedication to health restoration and education exemplifies her unwavering commitment to improving lives through science-based wellness solutions.

Discover why the GUT Zoomer 3.0 is revolutionizing functional medicine GI testing! Dr. Eric Balcavage interviews Adair Anderson, RD from Vibrant Labs, for an in-depth analysis of this comprehensive stool test that goes far beyond basic bacterial balance. Key Topics Covered: ✅ GUT Zoomer vs Traditional Testing: Why gastroenterologist tests miss root causes ✅ Advanced Testing Technology: RT-PCR, biofilm disruption, and LC-MS/MS methodology ✅ Complete Gut Assessment: Commensals, pathogens, metabolites, and digestive markers ✅ Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Critical role in gut barrier function and immune regulation ✅ Zonulin & Intestinal Permeability: Understanding leaky gut and systemic inflammation ✅ Secretory IgA Interpretation: Why total IgA levels don't tell the whole story ✅ Testing Protocol: Why to test without supplements for accurate baseline results ✅ Molecular Mimicry: Cross-reactivity concerns with gluten and other proteins Perfect for: Thyroid patients with persistent digestive issues Practitioners seeking comprehensive functional GI testing Anyone struggling with chronic GI problems despite normal colonoscopy results Patients wanting to understand root causes before disease develops Expert Insights on:  When standard GI tests fail to identify problems - How stress impacts pancreatic enzyme production Why biofilm disruption matters for accurate results Post-colonoscopy testing recommendations (wait 2 weeks!) Learn why the GUT Zoomer 3.0's evidence-based methodology and comprehensive analysis make it superior to direct-to-consumer tests and traditional stool testing. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction & Adair's Background [05:30] Standard vs Functional GI Testing [12:15] GUT Zoomer Advantages & Technology [18:45] Direct-to-Consumer Test Limitations [24:20] Biofilm Disruption Critical Process [31:10] Commensals vs Pathogens Deep Dive [38:25] Factors Affecting Gut Health [45:50] Interpreting GUT Zoomer Results [52:30] Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) Role [58:15] Intestinal Permeability & Zonulin [64:40] Cross-Contamination & Gluten Exposure [69:20] Molecular Mimicry & Test Specificity [74:35] Secretory IgA Interpretation [80:10] Testing Protocol Best Practices [85:45] Final Tips for Chronic GI Issues Adair Anderson is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from Bastyr University and has a strong background in biochemistry, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Earlham College. Adair has extensive experience in the field and has served on the boards of various nutrition and dietetics organizations. She specializes in helping clients overcome gastrointestinal conditions and focuses on resolving root-cause digestive issues using evidence-based, functional testing. Adair lives in Washington, DC with her husband, five bikes, and a growing succulent collection. When not working, she enjoys cycling, rock climbing, weightlifting, and yoga. #GutHealth #FunctionalMedicine #ThyroidGutConnection #GITesting #LeakyGut #Microbiome #ThyroidRecovery"

In episode 198 of the Thyroid Answers Podcast, I discuss the Vitamin D Deficiency Myth with the co-hosts of the Normal Curves Podcast. In this episode we cover: Is vitamin D deficiency really as widespread as people think? How did the idea of a vitamin D deficiency epidemic get started? Who was behind raising the thresholds, and why did it gain such widespread support? Why are so many studies on vitamin D and health flawed or misleading? Where do things stand now? What do the latest guidelines say about vitamin D deficiency, testing, and supplements? And more ...   Kristin Cobb Sainani is a professor at Stanford University, a freelance science writer, and co-host of the Normal Curves podcast. She teaches statistics and scientific writing worldwide through Stanford Online and Coursera. She has written for Allure magazine and works as a statistician in sports medicine research.  Regina Nuzzo is a professor at Gallaudet University, an award-winning freelance science writer, and co-host of the Normal Curves podcast. She wrote The Mating Game column about dating and relationships for the Los Angeles Times. She has also written for Nature, The New York Times, and Scientific American, and teaches statistics at Stanford each summer. https://www.normalcurves.com  

In Episode 7 of the Thyroid Answers Shorts hypothyroidism podcast, Dr. Eric covers the Thyroid Hormone - GLP-1 Trap. Are you struggling with weight gain, blood sugar issues, severe constipation, and crushing fatigue despite having "optimized" thyroid labs? You might be caught in the GLP-1 trap. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Eric Balcavage reveals the dangerous cascade that occurs when we override the body's protective mechanisms with thyroid medications and GLP-1 drugs. What You'll Learn: How GLP-1 (the body's natural metabolic coordinator) depends on proper thyroid function Why thyroid allostasis is protective, not pathological The metabolic mismatch created when forcing "optimal" labs during cellular stress How T4 and T3 medications can worsen GLP-1 signaling in allostatic states Why combining thyroid "optimization" with GLP-1 drugs creates a perfect metabolic storm The shocking truth about where your body gets glucose when both sources are blocked Warning signs you're trapped in this dangerous cycle Key Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: The Thyroid - GLP-1 Trap 1:58 - What is GLP-1 and how it regulates metabolism 4:06 - How T3 supports GLP-1 production in homeostasis 6:58 - Thyroid allostasis: Your body's protective response 10:08 - Why "optimized" thyroid labs don't fix the problem 13:24 - The metabolic trap: Where does glucose come from? 16:03 - Warning signs you're caught in this cycle 17:04 - The solution: Addressing root causes, not forcing optimization Key Insight: When GLP-1 medications block glucose intake and production in someone with thyroid allostasis (who can't efficiently burn fat or produce ketones), the body turns to muscle catabolism and inefficient metabolic pathways, leading to muscle wasting and worsening fatigue despite "better" labs. This episode challenges both conventional and functional medicine approaches, showing why restoration trumps optimization every time. Perfect for: Anyone on thyroid medication not working as expected, those with hypothyroidism considering GLP-1 medications, functional medicine thyroid patients, and practitioners who want to understand the deeper metabolic connections. Remember: Your body isn't broken - it's adapting to protect you. The solution isn't to override these mechanisms, but to address what's driving your body into this protective state. www.drericbalcavage.com

In episode 197 of the Thyroid Answers podcast, I discuss GLP-1 with Jeff Thurston. In this episode, we discuss: Where GLP-1 is made in the body What GLP-1 does in the body. The role of GI bacteria in GLP-1 production. The role of diet in GLP-1 production. The role of lifestyle on gut flora balance and GLP-1 production. The role of probiotics Strategies for improving gut bacteria and natural GLP-1 production And more... Jeff is the co-owner of Master Supplements and US Enzymes. He has a degree in biology and chemistry.  He began his career as a virologist under a government security clearance, working with extremely virulent pathogens. As he grew to understand the purpose of the work, he left to begin a career in sales and sales management.  While working in organic agriculture in the Central Valley of CA, he met Randy Porubcan.  Both were speakers at a meeting.  Being of similar age, similar backgrounds, college in the upper midwest, they hit it off.  That was in 1995.  Randy suggested they start a business one day.  In 2002, Randy called Jeff and asked if he was ready. He said yes, and they started their business, Master Supplements.  In September of 2019, they purchased US Enzymes adding a product line of highly efficacious enzyme supplements to their line of probiotics.  Jeff can be found at: usenzymes.com https://master-supplements.com Previous episode with Jeff Thurston: TAP 84: Introduction to Probiotics

Topics covered in this episode: What is the pelvic floor? Why toilet posture is at the root of pelvic floor dysfunction. The guarding reflex, bladder and bowel dysfunction. Why real or perceived stress impacts your bowel and bladder dysfunction. How big a problem is pelvic floor dysfunction? And more ...   Dr. Fleischmann is board certified in urology and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. She received her medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, NY, where she graduated summa cum laude. Dr. Fleischmann completed her surgery and urology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY and continued her training in a fellowship at NYU School of Medicine. She is passionate about practicing an integrative approach to urogynecology, correcting the pervasive, unconscious and paradoxical behaviors which can turn into the structural problems and bothersome symptoms that prompt women to seek care. She is the author of the new book “The Second Mouth”, which addresses the powerful mind-body connection in functional urology. Dr. Fleischmann serves as Director of FPMRS at White Plains Hospital Center where she has been in clinical practice for the last 25 years. She holds an active appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor in Obstetrics and Assistant Clinical Professor of Gynecology and Urology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Additionally, she is a member of the American Urologic Association and Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology (SUFU). Dr. Fleischmann is the author of several research publications and presentations. She lives and practices in New York. @drnicolefleischmann Thesecondmouthbook.com

In episode 6 of Thyroid Shorts, I cover the connections between mental health and thyroid physiology. Topics covered in this episode include: Your state determines how your thyroid hormone works The reasons your thyroid and mental health are inseparable The stress-thyroid loop Action steps to improve mental and thyroid health If you want access to my free Emotional Fitness Assessment, DM "Emotion" to my Instagram account, @drericbalcavage, and I will send it to you. website: https://drericbalcavage.com/ IG: @drericbalcavage  

In this episode of the Thyroid Answers Podcast, I talk with health advocate Sara Banta. We discuss her health crisis and the lessons she learned as she navigated her recovery. Topics covered in this episode include: Why well-intentioned medication and supplement strategies often go wrong. How the state of your physiology determines the outcome. Why your cell and thyroid physiology change based on your state. Why lab "optimization" strategies can be problematic. The power of mindset. And more ... Sara Banta is a renowned Certified Of Dietary Supplement Professional and a member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals, and is celebrated for her dedication to empowering individuals to achieve optimal health through the transformative power of cutting edge natural supplements, DNA-based nutrition, and lifestyle changes. As the founder of the award winning and cutting edge brand Accelerated Health Products, named the Most Innovative Supplement Company FOUR years in a row, Sara has established herself as a trailblazer in the health and wellness industry, pioneering innovative solutions to support holistic well-being. With a passion for educating and inspiring others, Sara hosts the Top 10 health podcast, the Accelerated Health with Sara Banta, where she shares her wealth of knowledge and expertise with a global audience. Through her engaging and insightful discussions and expert guests, she offers invaluable insights into the latest trends, research, and breakthroughs in health and nutrition. Recognized for her expertise and commitment to excellence, Sara is a sought-after speaker at conferences, seminars, and events worldwide. Her dynamic presentations captivate audiences as she imparts practical strategies and actionable advice for achieving vibrant health and vitality. As an advocate for holistic health, Sara believes in the profound impact that carefully formulated supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications can have on overall well-being. With a steadfast commitment to empowering individuals to take control of their health destinies, she continues to inspire positive change and transformation in countless lives. https://acceleratedhealthproducts.com https://sarabantahealth.com https://www.instagram.com/acceleratedhealthproducts/ https://www.facebook.com/acceleratedhealthproducts