Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations with Dr. Izabella Wentz

Dr. Izabella Wentz
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Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 31min

64: Is Your Indoor Air Making You Sick? How to Fix it Fast With Mike Feldstein

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Wentz interviews Mike Feldstein, founder of Jaspr, about the hidden health effects of indoor air and practical solutions you can use today.  Mike explains how modern building practices trap pollutants, why classrooms are a high-impact target for filtration, and the real difference between small retail purifiers and commercial air scrubbers. Tune in to learn about the best choices for indoor air filtering, and how this and other simple steps can relieve conditions like asthma and allergies, help you get a more restful sleep, and support recovery for anyone with autoimmune disease and chronic sensitivities. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air: Unlike outdoor environments where wind, sunlight, and rain naturally cleanse toxins, our homes trap mold, VOCs, and bacteria inside. As a result, indoor air can be 5 to 10 times dirtier than the air outside, driving brain fog, fatigue, allergies, and asthma. Targeted changes like daily ventilation, high-efficiency air scrubbers, and simple monitors can transform your environment into one that supports healing instead of undermining it. How “sick building syndrome” affects your health: The energy-efficient buildings that started to be built in the 1970s seal in mold, chemicals, and poor ventilation. This hidden trade-off explains why so many people feel unwell in their own homes and workplaces. Why size and scale matter in air purification: Small, store-bought purifiers often work like golf carts – fine for light use, but not built for real health demands. Air scrubbers operate more like SUVs, moving far more air through larger filters and reducing pollutants on a much bigger scale. Choosing the right “vehicle” for your space can mean the difference between slightly cleaner air and truly life-changing results. Everyday toxins may be hiding in your home: Furniture, flooring, cleaning products, fragrances, and even diaper pails can release chemicals that linger in the air. These daily exposures add up, and clearing them can relieve symptoms you may not have connected to your environment. Air scrubbers vs. basic purifiers: Store-bought purifiers may only improve air quality by 10 to 20%, while air scrubbers like Jaspr can reduce pollutants by up to 99%. That level of clean air can be life-changing for those with asthma, autoimmunity, or chronic sleep issues. Clean air as a missing pillar of functional medicine: Just as water filtration and clean diets are now common practice, air quality deserves the same attention. Without it, even the best supplements and protocols may fall short of lasting results. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/  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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 11min

63: The Iodine Paradox: What Every Thyroid Patient Needs to Know – With Dr. Alan Christianson

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz speaks with naturopathic endocrinologist and bestselling author Dr. Alan Christianson about the controversial role of iodine in thyroid health. While iodine is essential in small amounts, excess intake has been shown to trigger Hashimoto’s, worsen autoimmunity, and disrupt thyroid function. Dr. Christianson shares how a carefully structured low iodine protocol has helped many of his patients reduce antibodies, normalize TSH, and in some cases, taper off thyroid medications. He also explores hidden dietary and lifestyle sources of iodine, why genetics play a role in tolerance, and how supporting nutrients like selenium and vitamin D can protect thyroid health. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why iodine is a double-edged sword for the thyroid. While essential in small amounts, iodine has one of the narrowest therapeutic ranges of any nutrient. Too much can trigger Hashimoto’s, worsen autoimmunity, and cause the thyroid to “shut down,” leading to hypothyroidism. The genetic factor in iodine tolerance. Dr. Christianson explains how some people are adapted to coastal diets rich in iodine, while others with “inland genetics” are much more sensitive. These differences can explain why some people tolerate seaweed and kelp – while others see skyrocketing antibodies. Hidden sources of iodine in your diet and home. Beyond seaweed snacks and iodized salt, high iodine exposure can come from dairy, processed bread, prenatal vitamins, and even personal care products like conditioner and lotion. Identifying these sources is a key step toward healing. How a low-iodine reset can help the thyroid recover. Short-term iodine reduction (below ~100 mcg/day) can give the thyroid space to heal. Dr. Christianson shares research and patient stories showing that many people who stick with the reset see dramatic improvements, from normalizing thyroid labs to lowering antibodies, often within just a few months. When to discuss med changes with your doctor. In some cases, a supervised low-iodine protocol may allow for gradual reductions in thyroid medication. Dr. Christianson notes that studies show many patients can safely lower – and some even stop – their meds, but emphasizes this process must be done cautiously, with close monitoring. The co-nutrients that widen your “safety window.” Selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and iron aren’t optional extras; they’re critical for how your thyroid handles iodine. These nutrients support the enzymes that regulate iodine metabolism and help protect the thyroid from oxidative stress. When they’re low, excess iodine does more damage; when they’re optimized, your thyroid can tolerate a wider range without flaring. autoimmunity. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/  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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 22, 2025 • 1h

62: Lung Detox Secrets for Healing Chronic Illness and Boosting Vitality With Christa Orecchio

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews longtime friend and collaborator Christa Orecchio, a clinical and holistic nutritionist with nearly two decades of experience in gut, adrenal, and lung health. They discuss a cutting-edge integrative approach to healing asthma, mold illness, long-COVID lung damage, and respiratory inflammation, with surprising connections to emotional trauma and nervous system regulation. Christa shares how salicylates, environmental toxins, and even repressed grief can lead to persistent lung dysfunction, and how her new lung rejuvenation program combines herbal therapy, postbiotics, trauma healing, and targeted breathwork to reverse symptoms and restore cellular vitality. Tune in to learn more about: Why lung issues go beyond inflammation or allergies: Trauma, mold exposure, antibiotics, smoking or vaping, unresolved grief, and even early childhood infections can create deep dysfunction in the lungs. Addressing them is essential for lasting healing. How environmental toxins silently damage lungs: Everyday exposures such as flame retardants, formaldehyde, pesticides, glyphosate, wildfire smoke, and nanoplastics can scar lung tissue over time. Detox support and air purification become essential, even for those living “clean.” The surprising role of foods and oils in asthma: High-salicylate foods and products including dried fruits, apples, strawberries, plums, tomatoes, cucumbers, coffee, wine, and peppermint oil can trigger respiratory flares. Short elimination trials combined with salt therapy often bring quick relief. The emotional-spiritual link to breathing: Unprocessed grief and trauma can lodge in the lungs, showing up as asthma, chronic cough, or shallow breathing. Healing through grief work, somatic therapies, or homeopathy can restore vitality and ease of breath. Herbs and nutrients that rebuild the lungs: Lungwort, golden seal, lotus root, boswellia, DNA and RNA tissue factors, postbiotics, and mitochondrial supports such as CoQ10, PQQ, and L-carnitine help restore tissue integrity, reduce inflammation, and strengthen resilience. Why nervous system healing is non-negotiable: Breathwork, EFT, and somatic trauma therapies shift the body out of fight-or-flight and into parasympathetic rest-and-heal mode. This nervous system reset unlocks true recovery for both lungs and thyroid. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/  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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 13min

61: Biology of Trauma: How Trauma Fuels Autoimmunity & Hashimoto’s – With Dr. Aimie Apigian

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. Aimie Apigian, physician and author of The Biology of Trauma. Together, they explore how unresolved trauma – often overlooked in thyroid care – can predispose the body to autoimmunity, create nervous system imbalances, and keep people stuck in chronic fatigue or thyroid symptoms despite “doing everything right.” Dr. Apigian shares her journey from biochemistry and foster parenting to becoming a leading trauma expert, as well as her own experience with autoimmunity. She explains how trauma physiology differs from stress, why unresolved attachment wounds fuel thyroid issues, and what tools can help rewire the nervous system for safety and healing. What you’ll learn in this episode: Trauma isn’t always what you think. Many people dismiss their experiences because they didn’t have “big T” trauma. Dr. Aimie explains how even subtle or forgotten childhood events can rewire the nervous system, making the body feel unsafe and setting the stage for autoimmunity. Autoimmunity can be a trauma response. The body’s immune system reflects what the nervous system has learned: “it’s not safe to be me.” This creates a biology of trauma that keeps us in fight, flight, or freeze, driving thyroid imbalances and chronic fatigue. Why stress management isn’t enough. Breathwork, meditation, or cold plunges may help stress, but if the body is in trauma physiology, those tools can backfire. Healing requires working within your body’s capacity and building a “window of tolerance” for safety. How attachment wounds can affect thyroid health. From not being held enough as a baby to learning to suppress needs in childhood, these early experiences train us to abandon ourselves. Dr. Aimie shares how these patterns directly connect to autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s. Signs you might have stored trauma. Feeling constantly unsafe, being stuck in cycles of overwhelm, having unexplained fatigue, or always waiting for the “next shoe to drop” are all red flags that your body may be carrying unresolved trauma. Tools that create a biology of safety. Somatic practices, EMDR, neurofeedback, and Dr. Aimie’s five somatic self-practices can shift the nervous system out of trauma and into safety – often in under five minutes – without needing to rely on substances or old coping strategies. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/  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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 12min

60: Reversing Hashimoto’s? The Unconventional Tools You Haven’t Tried Yet – With Lexi Yoo

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz sits down with integrative nurse practitioner Lexi Yoo, founder of Yoo Direct Health, to explore unconventional, but highly effective, therapies for Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune conditions. From low-dose naltrexone and hormone optimization to cutting-edge peptides, ozone therapy, and semaglutide (Ozempic), Lexi shares how she personalizes care to help patients finally see progress when standard treatments fall short. They also dive into how to measure true healing using labs and symptom trackers, and why these innovative therapies should be accessible to everyday patients – not just biohackers. Whether you’ve hit a plateau or are just starting your healing journey, this episode offers fresh, practical tools to help you move the needle on recovery. Tune in to learn more: Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is a powerful, underused tool for modulating the immune system in Hashimoto’s. Lexi shares how she tailors dosing based on individual tolerance and symptoms, starting as low as 0.25 mg in sensitive cases. It can help improve mood, reduce inflammation and pain, regulate appetite, and support sleep – all of which are commonly disrupted in thyroid and autoimmune disorders. Peptides like BPC-157, KPV, and Larazotide offer next-level support for gut healing and immune balance. These naturally-occurring compounds repair gut lining, reduce inflammatory triggers, and can be used strategically in gut protocols alongside supplements like glutamine and zinc carnosine. Lexi shares how using these together can accelerate healing in patients with Hashimoto’s, IBS, SIBO, and even post-surgical recovery. Wellbutrin and semaglutide (Ozempic) aren’t just for depression or weight loss – they’re strategic tools for Hashimoto’s healing. Lexi explains how combining these medications with LDN can quiet food noise, stabilize dopamine and insulin signaling, and reduce inflammation that worsens autoimmune flares. These therapies can also support emotional resilience, especially in women juggling hormones, motherhood, careers, and chronic fatigue. Testosterone replacement can be a game-changer for women with Hashimoto’s – and no, it won’t make you look like a bodybuilder. Lexi explains how testosterone supports the thymus gland, improves libido and energy, and can even reduce thyroid antibodies. She discusses various delivery methods including pellets, creams, and new oral options, emphasizing that personalized dosing and monitoring are key. Ozone therapy is an emerging powerhouse for lowering thyroid antibodies and enhancing mitochondrial health. By delivering oxygen in a unique oxidative form, IV ozone helps improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and support immune function – especially in patients with chronic infections, high TPO levels, or autoimmunity-related fatigue. Lexi also shares how she pairs ozone with UV light, rectal insufflation, and topical applications for targeted healing. Semaglutide (Ozempic) can be a safe and strategic option for Hashimoto’s when used properly. Lexi clarifies the misunderstood connection between GLP-1 agonists and thyroid health, and how this medication – when supported by labs, nutrition, and exercise – can reduce systemic inflammation and support metabolic healing. She’s also seen benefits for PCOS, food addiction, joint pain, and even fertility in Hashimoto’s patients. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 21min

59: Getting to the Root Cause of Eczema With Dr. Sheila Kilbane

In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews integrative pediatrician Dr. Sheila Kilbane, who guided Izabella to get her son 100% eczema free, about the often-overlooked root causes of childhood eczema. Dr. Kilbane shares how a combination of gut-focused strategies and targeted topical therapies can transform the lives of children suffering from chronic eczema without extreme elimination diets. Listeners will gain insights into the link between eczema, histamine, food allergies, and the skin microbiome, as well as the importance of supporting detox, digestion, and the immune system as a whole. We’ll discuss: How Dr. Kilbane helped Izabella’s son become 100% eczema free. Izabella’s son developed eczema around age 1. She consulted with numerous experts to no avail, until working with Dr. Kilbane. Within weeks, her son’s eczema improved by 80% and after completing recommended tests/treatment, the eczema vanished within days.  Why eczema needs a “both/and” approach. Eczema healing often requires both external skin support and internal gut healing. Combining gentle topical treatments (including a compounded antimicrobial cream with diluted steroids) with targeted nutrition and gut support can reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Relying solely on diet or creams can lead to frustration, while this integrative strategy supports faster, more lasting healing. Histamine overload may be at the root. Beyond itchy skin, excess histamine can cause sleep issues, irritability, poor appetite, and mood swings, especially in kids with eczema. Environmental allergies, gut dysbiosis, and Staph on the skin can all increase histamine levels. Short-term antihistamines, quercetin, or vitamin C can offer fast relief while deeper root causes are addressed. Why elimination diets alone aren’t the answer. While food sensitivities can play a role in eczema, extreme elimination diets, especially for picky eaters, often backfire, leading to nutrient deficiencies/stress. In many cases, kids actually tolerate more foods once the skin barrier and gut are healed. Rather than removing more foods, Dr. Kilbane’s protocol focuses on restoring gut integrity and calming inflammation. How the Aron Protocol can stop flare-ups in their tracks. This compounded topical can reduce Staph bacteria and inflammation on the skin, calming eczema flares without the rebound many parents fear. Used alongside gut healing, it allows for longer-term remission and more resilient skin. Gentle changes can make a big difference. Simple tools, like filtered bath water, dye-free detergents, probiotics, enzymes, and nutrient-rich fats, can reduce inflammation and restore the skin barrier. Even changing how and when kids bathe can make a difference. Her protocols emphasize layering small changes rather than overwhelming families with a massive overhaul. Food allergies may fade when the skin heals. A damaged skin barrier can actually trigger food sensitivities, especially when children scratch food particles into open eczema patches. Once the skin is healed and histamine levels drop, kids often become more tolerant to foods that previously caused issues. In some cases, even anaphylactic food allergies can be re-evaluated safely under medical supervision. Tune in to learn more about treating eczema from the inside out! Be sure to subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, including Dr. Kilbane’s Eczema Jumpstart Guide, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Sep 1, 2025 • 54min

58: Thriving After Thyroid Cancer With Carly Brown

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Carly Brown, a wellness entrepreneur and thyroid cancer thriver who took her diagnosis as an invitation to dig deeper into root cause healing. Carly shares how she used daily juicing, emotional therapy, detoxification, and dental intervention to drastically reduce her tumor before choosing thyroidectomy on her own terms. Carly’s story is a testament to resilience, integrative medicine, and the importance of advocating for yourself every step of the way. She also dives into the tools she continues to use to stay cancer-free, including molecular hydrogen water, CrossFit, and combined T3/T4 hormone replacement. Tune in to learn more about: ✅How Carly reframed her diagnosis and chose healing over fear. Instead of identifying with the illness, Carly made a conscious decision to say “I am healing” rather than “I have cancer.” This subtle but powerful shift helped her stay focused on recovery and resilience. She used affirmations and mindset work as the foundation for her healing journey, reminding herself daily that her body was capable of vibrant health. ✅The juicing protocol Carly used to support detox and cellular regeneration. Her daily anti-inflammatory routine consisting of 64 oz. of raw, organic, cold-pressed vegetable juice made with ginger, turmeric, garlic, beets, green apple, and more helped her regain energy, shrink her tumor, and launch her own juice business, Alchemy. ✅A root canal infection was the hidden root cause of her cancer. A cone beam scan revealed a decade-old jaw infection from past dental trauma and root canals – silently suppressing her immune system and likely fueling cancer growth. Multiple oral surgeries cleared the infection, bringing back her energy and triggering rapid tumor shrinkage. ✅The emotional healing that was just as critical as the physical. Carly worked with therapists and healing practitioners to process suppressed grief, trauma, and inherited emotional wounds, especially surrounding her father’s sudden death and her own perfectionism. She emphasizes that unresolved emotional pain can manifest physically, and that healing often requires looking inward. Tools like guided therapy, ancestral healing, and even plant medicine helped her release stored emotions that had been weighing on her health. ✅Why she eventually chose thyroidectomy, and how she did it on her own terms. Although she initially declined surgery, Carly returned to the idea 18 months later after dramatically improving her health through nutrition, detox, and emotional healing. She entered surgery stronger, calmer, and more informed – an empowered patient instead of a fearful one. Her case is a beautiful example of how holistic and conventional approaches can work together, especially when we take the time to listen to our bodies and build the right support team. ✅Thriving post-thyroidectomy: Carly’s protocol for hormone balance and vibrant energy. Carly now takes both T3 and T4 thyroid hormones and works closely with a functional provider to maintain optimal levels. She also follows a gluten-free, high-protein diet, drinks molecular hydrogen water, strength trains several times a week, and continues regular detox practices like juicing and clinic retreats. These habits have helped her not just manage life after thyroid removal, but truly thrive with more energy, muscle tone, and purpose than ever before. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! 🔗Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 🔗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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 29, 2025 • 32min

57: How I Accidentally Found a Method That Helps 80% of Hashimoto’s Patients in 2 Weeks | Dr. Izabella Wentz

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz shares the surprising discovery that became the foundation of her bestselling book Hashimoto’s Protocol: a simple liver reset that helps 80% of Hashimoto’s patients feel better within two weeks. She explains why toxins are such a hidden driver of thyroid symptoms, how the liver plays a central role in converting thyroid hormones, and why conventional detoxes often backfire. Listeners will gain actionable strategies to reduce toxic exposures, support natural detox pathways, and use gentle nutrients and foods to restore energy, focus, and balance. What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅Why toxins are such a hidden driver of Hashimoto’s symptoms. From environmental exposures like pollution, jet fuel, mold, and fluoride, to hidden household sources such as cleaning products and plastics, our bodies are constantly dealing with toxins. For those with Hashimoto’s, this toxic load can overwhelm detox pathways, leading to fatigue, brain fog, pain, skin issues, and stubborn weight gain. ✅The “aha moment” that changed my approach. When my most sensitive clients weren’t responding to diets or supplements, I tried targeted liver support. Within two weeks, their brain fog lifted, energy returned, and pain diminished. This confirmed that liver congestion and toxin buildup play a central role in keeping many Hashimoto’s patients sick. ✅The four key elements of my liver reset process. Healing begins by reducing toxic exposures (makeup, candles, plastics, cleaning chemicals), removing common trigger foods (gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, alcohol), incorporating healing foods (cruciferous veggies, beets, blueberries, sprouts, lemon water), and supporting natural detox pathways like sweating, hydration, and bowel movements. ✅Why supporting the liver is better than “forceful detox.” Harsh cleanses, chelation, or high-dose supplements can overwhelm the body and worsen symptoms. Gentle liver support using nutrients like NAC, magnesium, and milk thistle – paired with sweating, hydration, and fiber – works with the body’s natural systems for safe, effective toxin clearance. ✅How this protocol improves thyroid function. The liver is essential for converting T4 to active T3, clearing out estrogen metabolites, and reducing the backlog of toxins that sabotage energy and mood. By supporting the liver, we improve hormone balance, reduce antibodies, and create an environment where Hashimoto’s remission is possible. ✅Real-world results from thousands of clients (and myself). From reduced joint pain and brain fog to improved labs and weight loss, this simple process has created life-changing outcomes. I personally experienced clearer skin, more energy, and even emotional release after going through the liver reset. Tune in to learn how a gentle liver reset can help you reclaim your energy and move closer to remission. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! 🔗Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 🔗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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 25, 2025 • 44min

56: The Thyroid, MTHFR, Gallstone, and Fatty Liver Connection With Lisa Winbourn

What do MTHFR, thyroid disease, gallbladder removal, and fatty liver all have in common? In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews nutritionist and methylation expert Lisa Windbourn, who specializes in helping women with MTHFR gene variations, liver dysfunction, and no gallbladder, feel better using methylation-focused nutrition. They explore the impact of sluggish methylation on thyroid health, detoxification, and bile flow, and how to support your body naturally even if you have complex symptoms. Lisa breaks down the role of folate (vitamin B9), how to safely choose B vitamins, and food-based strategies to help you feel energized, clear, and on the path to optimal wellness.  Tune in to learn more about: What the MTHFR gene variation really means, and why it’s not a mutation: Lisa explains how this common genetic difference affects folate activation and detoxification. You’ll learn why this variation doesn’t guarantee symptoms and how stress, toxins, and lifestyle choices determine whether symptoms appear. How MTHFR relates to thyroid, liver, and gallbladder issues: This single enzyme plays a key role in hormone clearance, bile flow, and nutrient absorption. Sluggish methylation can increase the risk for Hashimoto’s, fatty liver, and digestive challenges, even in people following a clean diet. Why folic acid may be making things worse: Folic acid, the synthetic version of vitamin B9 found in many processed foods and supplements, can interfere with detox and methylation in people with MTHFR. Lisa shares how to spot it on labels and how to choose more effective forms like folate, methylfolate, or folinic acid. How to personalize your supplement approach: Not everyone does well with high-dose methylfolate. Lisa explains how your mood tendencies, such as anxiety or low energy, can guide your choices. You’ll also learn about gentler options like riboflavin, glycine, and TMG. How to support detox naturally, even without a gallbladder: Lisa offers practical tools, including salt flushes, breathwork, food-based nutrients, and bile support. These simple habits can help reduce inflammation, improve energy, and restore digestive function without intense protocols. Why balance is better than perfection: From enjoying dessert to skipping extreme wellness trends, Lisa and Izabella talk about real-life healing. They remind us that joy, flexibility, and self-awareness are just as important as supplements and lab tests.  Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/  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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Aug 22, 2025 • 1h 1min

55: The Overlooked Link Between the Liver, Gallbladder, and Thyroid Symptoms With Divya Gupta

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews holistic nutritionist Divya Gupta about a rarely discussed but deeply important topic in thyroid health: the liver and gallbladder connection. Divya shares her own story of gallbladder removal and Hashimoto’s diagnosis, and how it transformed her career and healing philosophy. Together, they explore how impaired bile flow, liver overload, and fat malabsorption can all disrupt thyroid function, and what you can do to support your body, especially if your gallbladder has been removed. Tune in to learn how practical tools like bitters, beets, ox bile, TUDCA, functional lab testing, and strategic food swaps can be game-changers when it comes to supporting your gallbladder, thyroid, and overall wellness.  What you’ll learn in this episode: Why gallbladder issues can be a hidden trigger for thyroid symptoms: Even subtle signs like shoulder pain, sticky stools, or poor fat digestion may indicate early gallbladder dysfunction, and it’s more common than you think in those with Hashimoto’s. How bile production supports your thyroid at every level: Bile isn’t just for digesting fats, it helps clear toxins, absorb fat-soluble vitamins, and even plays a role in T4 to T3 conversion and gut health. Impaired bile flow can sabotage thyroid function silently. What happens after gallbladder removal and how to thrive without one: Divya shares her firsthand experience and offers practical strategies to support digestion and hormone health, even after surgery – including the use of ox bile, bitters, TUDCA, and targeted nutrients. The thyroid-liver connection that often gets missed: The liver helps activate thyroid hormone and regulate cholesterol. Yet many people with "normal labs" still benefit from liver support, especially when fatigue, brain fog, or inflammation linger. Why high cholesterol isn’t always the enemy, but can be a clue: Rather than jumping to statins, Divya explores what elevated cholesterol can reveal about thyroid dysfunction, sluggish bile flow, estrogen metabolism, and more. Everyday strategies to support your gallbladder and feel better: From lemon water and dandelion tea to gentle liver detox, bitters, and beet recipes, this episode is packed with tools to boost bile flow, improve nutrient absorption, and support thyroid healing from the ground up. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/  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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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