Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations with Dr. Izabella Wentz

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews nurse practitioner, author, and menopause expert Cynthia Thurlow about what happens to the gut during perimenopause and menopause – and why so many women suddenly experience bloating, constipation, food sensitivities, brain fog, anxiety, and weight-loss resistance in midlife.

Cynthia breaks down the hormone-gut-stress connection, explaining how shifts in progesterone and estrogen can influence digestion, immune regulation, and the gut-brain axis. Together, they explore why chronic stress, and unresolved trauma can amplify symptoms, and why the most effective strategies often start with the basics: sleep, hydration, protein, movement, and nervous system support.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why progesterone loss can hit your sleep, mood, and gut motility first. Cynthia explains how early perimenopause often begins with declining progesterone – which can reduce GABA (a calming neurotransmitter) and contribute to anxiety, sleep disruptions, and slower digestive movement.


How estrogen shifts can drive bloating, brain fog, joint pain, and immune changes. Estradiol can fluctuate dramatically in perimenopause, and because estrogen is an immune-modulating hormone, shifting levels may influence inflammation, autoimmunity risk, and even leaky gut.


The stress → gut → brain loop that keeps women stuck in symptoms. Chronic stress can impair digestion at the most basic level (your body won’t “rest and digest”), disrupt the vagus nerve, and increase inflammatory signals that impact the brain – which can worsen anxiety, depression, and brain fog.


Why estrogen “recycling” can make perimenopause symptoms feel amplified. We discuss the estrobiome (gut-driven estrogen processing), beta-glucuronidase, and why constipation, poor detox pathways, and gut dysbiosis can lead to estrogen recirculation – contributing to weight-loss resistance, bloating, and mood changes.


The overlooked connection between trauma, stress, and menopause timing. Cynthia shares research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how chronic stress may influence immune health, metabolic function, and the pace of ovarian aging.


The foundational strategies that support gut and hormone health. Before complex protocols, simple interventions – breathwork before meals, sleep prioritization, hydration, walking after eating, and gradually increasing protein and fiber – can significantly improve symptoms.

Tune in to learn how to support your gut (and your whole-body health) through the perimenopause-to-menopause transition.

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/
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In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews gut health expert Hannah Aylward about why so many people struggle with bloating and other gut issues – even when they’re eating clean.

Hannah shares her personal journey with chronic digestive issues and explains how factors like low stomach acid, poor bile flow, gut dysbiosis, and nervous system dysregulation can all contribute to ongoing symptoms. Together, they explore the deeper root causes of digestive dysfunction and why a personalized, root-cause approach is essential for overall healing.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why eating “clean” isn’t always enough to fix digestive issues. Hannah explains how you can follow all the right diets and still have symptoms like bloating, reflux, and constipation, if your digestive system isn’t properly breaking down and absorbing food.


The hidden root causes of chronic bloating (it’s not just food!). Low stomach acid, poor bile flow, gut dysbiosis, and infections can all create the perfect environment for bloating – even with a healthy diet.


How stress and your nervous system directly impact digestion. Chronic stress shifts your body out of “rest and digest” mode, reducing stomach acid, enzyme production, and gut motility, and making digestion an afterthought.


What’s really behind food sensitivities and how to reverse them. Most sensitivities aren’t about the food itself, but about gut imbalances like bacterial overgrowth, histamine issues, or poor digestion.


The surprising connection between gut health, hormones, and histamine. Liver function, bile flow, and the gut microbiome all play a role in hormone balance and histamine breakdown – impacting everything from bloating to painful periods.


Why most gut healing protocols fail (and what works). Generic protocols often miss the mark. True healing requires personalized testing and a root-cause approach tailored to your unique gut.

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/
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In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. Susan Peirce Thompson, a neuroscientist and bestselling author, about the connection between food addiction and weight issues. They explore why some people struggle to moderate certain foods, how processed foods impact the brain, and what it really takes to achieve sustainable weight loss.

Dr. Thompson shares her personal journey from addiction to recovery, along with the science behind dopamine, cravings, and appetite regulation. She also explains how her Bright Line Eating approach compares to GLP-1 medications, and why addressing food addiction may be the missing piece for those with thyroid and autoimmunity who are struggling to maintain a healthy weight.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why food addiction is real and can be harder to break than drugs. Dr. Thompson explains how addiction can transfer from substances to food (and many other things such as work and shopping). She also shares why highly processed foods hijack the same brain pathways, making it incredibly difficult to stop once you start.


The role of dopamine in cravings, “food noise,” and loss of control. Highly processed foods, especially sugar and flour, create powerful dopamine spikes that rewire the brain, driving persistent cravings and making normal eating feel unsatisfying.


How to tell if it’s food addiction, not just lack of discipline. From constant thoughts about food to feeling powerless once you start eating, Dr. Thompson outlines the key signs that your brain chemistry, not willpower, may be driving your behavior.


Why “moderation” doesn’t work for everyone and what to do instead. For some people, having clear, non-negotiable boundaries (“bright lines”) around certain foods can actually create more freedom, reduce cravings, and simplify decisions.


How the “Bright Line Eating” method compares to GLP-1 medications. Both approaches target hunger, cravings, and appetite regulation, but the “Bright Line Eating” approach works naturally by improving satiety hormones, reducing dopamine overstimulation, and building sustainable habits.


Three identity shifts needed to maintain weight loss long-term. Lasting results aren’t just about food – they require becoming devoted to your plan, building emotional resilience, and allowing yourself to fully move on from the struggle with food and weight.

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/
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In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Autumn Smith, co-founder of Paleovalley and holistic nutrition expert, about the powerful role of nutrient-dense foods – especially protein and animal products – in supporting thyroid health, mood, and overall well-being. Autumn shares her personal journey from IBS and anxiety to vibrant health, and explains why many “healthy” diets may still leave people undernourished.

Together, they explore the importance of amino acids, iron, and glycine, the differences between conventional and grass-fed meat, and how food quality impacts inflammation and energy levels. This episode offers a refreshing, balanced perspective on nutrition and empowers listeners to find what truly works for their bodies.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


How a “healthy” diet can still leave you undernourished: Autumn shares how her salad-heavy, low-protein diet contributed to IBS, anxiety, and instability, highlighting how common it is for women to miss key nutrients like protein and amino acids, even when eating “clean.”


The connection between protein, mood, and mental health: Without adequate protein, your body can’t produce key neurotransmitters, which can contribute to anxiety, brain fog, and fatigue, even when your diet looks balanced on the surface.


Why iron deficiency may be the missing link in persistent thyroid symptoms: Low ferritin levels can impact hair growth, energy, and how well your body responds to thyroid medication, yet this is often overlooked in conventional care.


Why glycine deserves more attention in modern diets: This often overlooked amino acid plays a key role in sleep quality, inflammation, detoxification, and healthy aging, and many people may not be getting enough from muscle-meat-heavy diets alone.


What actually sets grass-fed meat apart from conventional options: Farming practices directly impact nutrient density, omega-3 levels, and inflammatory potential, making food quality an important factor in how your body responds to what you eat.


Why food quality matters just as much as food type. Labels like “organic,” “free-range,” and “grass-fed” can be misleading, and understanding what they actually mean can make a big difference in your health outcomes.

Tune in to learn more about how nutrient-dense foods can transform your energy, mood, and thyroid health.

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

In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews pharmacist and menopause expert Dr. Anna Garrett to unpack the biggest myths – and most misunderstood truths – about menopausal hormone therapy. Together, they explore what hormone therapy looks like today, why many women were unnecessarily frightened after the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, and how modern options (like transdermal estradiol and micronized progesterone) are changing the conversation.

They also discuss why progesterone can be a game-changer for sleep and mood in early perimenopause, why estrogen becomes more important later on, how testosterone supports strength and vitality, and why testing and metabolism pathways (including gut and histamine factors) can influence results.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why the “hormones cause cancer” narrative won’t die despite a flawed WHI study. Dr. Garrett explains how the Women’s Health Initiative used older products (like conjugated equine estrogens and synthetic progestins), and why today’s bioidentical options have a very different risk/benefit profile. She also shares the resource that helped her advocate for herself – even with a strong family history of breast cancer.


Progesterone supplementation can be a smart starting point, even for mid-30s hormone chaos. If you’ve suddenly developed insomnia, anxiety, mood swings, or “crime scene periods,” it may be a sign you’re ovulating less frequently (and losing that calming progesterone effect). Dr. Garrett talks about why progesterone alone can be a smart starting point for many women.


When progesterone stops working for sleep, this may point to a drop in estrogen. Dr. Garrett shares how low estrogen can become a bigger driver of sleep disruption in late perimenopause/menopause, and why combining estrogen and progesterone can be the “lights back on” moment for some women.


Testosterone isn’t a “male hormone” – and dismissing it can cost women strength and vitality. Dr. Garrett shares why testosterone matters for muscle maintenance, bone health, drive, and overall wellbeing… plus why pellets can be risky if you haven’t dialed in your dose.


The DUTCH test and hormone pathways: why metabolism matters as much as dosing. Even bioidentical hormones can create unwanted effects. Dr. Garrett walks through tools and nutrients used to support healthier estrogen/testosterone metabolism – and why these tests are best interpreted with a trained practitioner.


How to decide if hormone therapy is right for you (without needing a medical degree). They talk candidly about “shared decision-making,” quality of life, clotting risk considerations, transdermal estradiol vs oral estrogen, micronized progesterone, and experimenting with HRT to see if it’s right for you.

Tune in to learn more about navigating perimenopause and menopause with clarity, confidence, and thyroid-smart support.

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