Thyroid Mystery Solved: Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism Revealed

The Case:

• Sally is 41 year old mom working part time.
• She was experiencing extreme fatigue, needing naps to get through the day and unable to find the energy to do anything.
• She thought it might be a thyroid issue because it runs in her family but her doctor said her levels were in the normal range.

The Investigation

When fatigue is a symptom, the thyroid is often involved. I wasn’t about to take that possibility off the table.

According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. But, it is more prevalent in women. One in eight women will develop a thyroid condition in their lifetime.

I invited Dr. Justin Marchegiani to join me in discussing Sally’s case. He is a virtual functional medicine doctor and the author of the Thyroid Reset. He knows all too well that the typical tests done in traditional medicine don’t tell the whole thyroid story.

We spend the first part of our discussion explaining exactly how the thyroid works, it’s connection to the brain (the hypothalamus), the pituitary gland, the adrenal glands, and how that all affect metabolism. Which is why symptoms can vary widely. Most will experience fatigue as Sally did, while others may also experience feeling cold all the time, hair loss, moodiness, depression, and/or constipation.

A Normal TSH Doesn't Mean the Thyroid is Functioning Properly.

Dr. J explained that the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) range that is considered normal by traditional medicine doesn’t tell the whole story. There are too many other factors at play in how the thyroid gland actually functions. It’s important to look at how the connected systems are functioning too.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis May be the Cause

Studies have found that the antibody associated with Hashimoto’s disease is much more common than previously thought and may be the cause of hypothyroidism even at a subclinical level. This was something I knew I needed to test Sally for.

Consider Optimal Range Not Normal Range

If there is one thing that Dr. J stressed throughout this interview it’s that we can’t just look at whether TSH, T3, or T4 each fall into the normal range. We need to look at the relationships of these hormone levels. And, we need to strive to have them all in optimal range because when they are not in optimal range, they are not functioning properly which means they are not supporting the other glandular systems that dictate how we feel on a day to day basis.

Mystery Solved

Testing your thyroid function is far more complex than what traditional labs will cover. As Dr. J pointed out, thyroid function is critical to optimal health so we need to dig a little with the appropriate tests, to ensure that it’s truly is functionally optimally.

For Sally, doing a few more tests revealed that her original hunch was correct - her thyroid was the cause of her fatigue. We were able to uncover where the system was breaking down and correct it. While medication was an option, she chose to try a functional medicine approach first. After a liver cleanse, we were able to help support her thyroid conversion through natural supplements and an anti-inflammatory diet. After a month, her energy had returned and she no longer needed naps to get through the day.

If you are dealing with fatigue (or any other hypothyroid related symptoms like hair loss, feeling cold, moodiness, depression and/or constipation) but your doctor says your lab results are ‘normal’ do yourself a favor and do more in depth tests to determine if in fact your thyroid is not functioning optimally.

If could totally change how much energy and joy you have to face your day.

Eliminating Health Mysteries

For Sally, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?

Resources and products mentioned on the podcast:

ThyroCNV - You must create an account to access this regulated product.

Zinc

Selenium

Free Guide to an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

PushCatch Liver Detox (30 Days)

Thanks to my guest Dr. Justin Marchegiani of Just In Health Wellness Clinic. You can connect with him on Facebook. Or, listen to his podcast, Beyond Wellness Radio or his watch his Youtube videos.

Thanks for Listening

If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information.

Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Say hi to me on Facebook and Instagram. Comment on this episode and let me know if it helped. Or visithttp://healthmysteriessolved.com

Overcoming Hashimoto’s Summit

Claim your free spot to this 7-day virtual summit featuring the top experts in Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism so that you can overcome this diagnosis and feel better.

https://bit.ly/2KigemW

PLEASE NOTE

All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.

The Case:

• Jen is 34 with the hopes of getting pregnant but her menstrual cycle was very irregular
• She was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
• The doctors and gynecologists recommended birth control pills but they left her feeling moody and depressed. Plus, it wasn’t going to help her get pregnant!
• We had to find a way to regulate her period, optimize her fertility and the first clue was in understanding the cause of her PCOS.

The Investigation

Birth control pills are a common solution for irregular periods caused by PCOS but they are not the only solution. And, they are certainly not the right choice for someone who suffers bad side effects or who is wanting to improve fertility.

According to the National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, PCOS affects up to 15% of women and is the leading cause of infertility. Which is why it’s often a catchall diagnosis.

I knew I had to dig a little deeper into Jen’s case if we were going to overcome her PCOS symptoms, improve menstrual cycle regularity, and increase fertility.

I connected with clinical nutritionist, personal trainer and creator of The Sugarpurge, Aynsley Kirshenbaum. That may seem like an interesting place to start digging but as you’ll discover in this episode everything is connected. Plus, Aynsley is speaking from personal experience.

We discuss how important it is to look at everything that is going on in the body to assist the body in resetting. That includes looking at diagnostic criteria that is beyond the typical tests done for PCOS.

The most important is the hormone panel, which we discuss at length in this episode.

Our Endocrine System and Hormone System Work in Concert

Aynsley and I discuss just how intricately the bodies systems work together. If one thing is out of whack, it can affect all of the other things. And, conversely, if you can control one system or create change in just one area, then that will affect other systems too.

Sugar is Everything

Aynsley and I also discussed why it’s so important to test the Hemoglobin A1c to determine insulin sensitivity levels. This was one of the key clues in Jen’s case. As was a shift in her overall diet.

What does a PCOS diet look like? We break it down and look at some possible connections between gluten and PCOS (although more research is needed).

Don’t Ignore Stress

And finally, we dive into the role that stress can play in PCOS as well as the presentation of symptoms of PCOS.

All of these changes are not an overnight magic bullet. The resetting of systems (not to mention them having an affect on other systems) takes time. Expect for it to take at least 3 - 6 months.

When it comes to missing periods caused by PCOS, birth control is not the only answer.

In the case of Jen. Within a year, her cycle was back to normal and she was able to conceive a child. All without having to take medication that made her unhappy and feeling unlike herself. She now has a beautiful baby and continues to be in control of her PCOS symptoms.

Mystery Solved

For Jen, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could diet, blood sugar, stress reduction, and hormone balancing be the missing clues for you or someone in your life dealing with irregular periods, PCOS, or infertility?

Share this information and demand answers. Your health does not need to remain a mystery.

Resources:

Thanks to my guest Aynsley Kirshenbaum. You can connect with her on Facebook or Instagram on through her website.

If you’re interested in the Sugar Purge 12-Day Challenge she spoke about, click here to learn more.

Product Links

I mentioned some products that helped Jen reach her goals. Here they are for your reference.

Sensitol

OmegAvail Ultra

Metabolic Synergy

Podcast listeners enjoy 10% off the above mentioned products. Use coupon code: DFH10 at checkout.

Thanks for Listening

If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information.

Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Say hi to me on Facebook and Instagram. Comment on this episode and let me know if it helped. Or visithttp://healthmysteriessolved.com/for more.

Overcoming Hashimoto’s Summit

Claim your free spot to this 7-day virtual summit featuring the top experts in Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism so that you can overcome this diagnosis and feel better.

https://bit.ly/2KigemW

PLEASE NOTE

All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.

The Case:

• A woman in her early 20s working on Wall Street
• She was experiencing digestive issues, headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and acne.
• She sought the advice of many specialists including a gastroenterologist, a neurologist, a dermatologist, and a gynecologist.
• She was diagnosed with IBS (and was told to learn to live with it) and was prescribed traditional medicine to mask the other symptoms.
• She was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease but no treatments were offered.

The Investigation

This was my very first Health Mystery case. It was my own.

I was so frustrated with how the system worked (none of the specialists talked to each other and none of them considered that my symptoms might be related). I was disheartened by the prospect of a life of ‘living with’ chronic IBS which essentially meant accepting my suffering. And, I was angry. I didn’t want to be reliant on medication for the rest of my life.

I refused to accept this fate. So, I do what a lot of people do in this circumstance - I started searching the internet for answers. Luckily, I found the right people to help me.

The Answers Were Out There

It took a lot of digging and testing but through functional medicine and nutrition, I was able to get to the root cause of my ailments - and yes, they were related.

The Right Tests Revealed Everything

By taking the right kinds of tests, I discovered a whole battery of issues including bacterial infections, viruses, subclinical hypothyroidism, copper toxicity, mercury overload, nutritional deficiencies, and hormone imbalances. No wonder I felt unwell all the time!

I Wasn’t Crazy

As hard as it was to hear that all of these things were wrong with me, I felt so relieved. Now that I knew what was actually causing the issues, I could get busy working toward getting better. And, most importantly - I felt validated. The doctors had made me feel like it wasn’t all in my head. But this proved, I wasn’t crazy to think there was something more going on.

I Was Not Alone

As important as it was to find answers, I also discovered that there were a lot more people like me out there. As I conducted my research, I read story after story of women just like me. The symptoms may have been different but the story was the same - the system was failing them and they felt helpless and sick.

The Turning Point

It took me some time to deal with all of my issues. But, as symptom after symptom began to disappear, I discovered what being in good health really felt like. Perhaps for the first time in my life. It was like a revelation. And then I remembered all of the other women dealing with their unsolved health mysteries. I knew then that I had to do something for them.

Health Detective

I quit my job and decided to dedicate my life to helping others find the missing pieces to their health. I studied clinical nutrition and knew I wanted to build my practice with a functional medicine approach. Since then, I’ve been able to help hundreds of people solve their health mystery.

This Podcast Was Born

I know that the mysteries I solve in my practice are not entirely unique. And, if I’m encountering them in my corner of the world then there are sure to be a lot more out there. So, I’m sharing these mysteries through a weekly podcast so that more people can become their own health detective and feel empowered to advocate for their well-being.

My Promise to You, the Listener.

Each week on this podcast, I’ll share a real case from my files (first name only, of course), discuss it with a top health expert, and reveal how I was able to solve the health mystery. By listening to this podcast, you’ll be armed with the information you need to start on the path to regained health.

Putting an End to Health Mysteries

The information I share is not medical advice. I share it to help you ask the right questions, look in the right places, and demand answers so that you too may be able to solve your own (or someone you love’s) health mystery.

I need you help in letting people know that the answers are out there. Here’s what you can do.

1. Tell a friend about this podcast, especially if they are struggling with unexplained health concerns.
2. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.
3. Rate and Review the show on iTunes. It really helps to spread the word.

Thanks for listening to my story. I’d love to connect with you on Facebook and onInstagramor athttp://healthmysteriessolved.com

Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler onApple Podcasts,Spotify,StitcherorGoogle Podcasts. Find out more athttp://healthmysteriessolved.com

PLEASE NOTE

All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.

Health Mysteries Solved with Inna Topiler is a weekly podcast that finds the answers to nagging health issue so that more people can feel better and live well. The show is hosted by Inna Topiler, a Clinical Nutritionist who practices a holistic and functional medicine approach to her patients’ health concerns. Each episode, she introduces you to a real case from her files, discusses it with top health experts, and then explains how they were able to dig a little deeper, unravel the clues, and solve the health mystery.

This podcast is perfect for anyone who has ever been told that there’s no explanation for what they’re experiencing or worse, that it might all be in their head. But, it’s also for anyone who has ever known someone who has had to go through this infuriating circumstance.

Subscribe now. The next health mystery might sound quite familiar and the answers are out there.

Never miss an episode – Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler onApple Podcasts,Spotify,StitcherorGoogle Podcasts. Find out more athttp://healthmysteriessolved.com