Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations with Dr. Izabella Wentz

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. Amie Hornaman – also known as “The Thyroid Fixer” – a hormone optimization specialist and founder of the Advanced Thyroid and Hormone Clinic. Dr. Amie shares her personal journey of being misdiagnosed by six doctors while experiencing weight gain, fatigue, and hair loss, and how that experience led her to become a leader in functional thyroid care.

Together, they explore why so many thyroid patients continue to struggle despite “normal” lab results, and the importance of going beyond TSH to truly optimize thyroid health. From T4/T3 therapy to nutrient deficiencies and hormone imbalances, this episode provides a comprehensive look at what it really takes to feel well again.

What you’ll learn in this episode: 


Why most thyroid patients don’t feel better on T4-only medications. Dr. Amie shares that only a small percentage of people truly thrive on T4 alone, and explains why adding T3 or using alternative therapies can be a game changer for energy, weight, and hair health.


How “thyropause” impacts women over 40. Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can trigger or worsen thyroid dysfunction, creating a cascade of symptoms that are often dismissed as “just aging.”


The foundational nutrients your thyroid needs to function. Dr. Amie discusses how key nutrient deficiencies (vitamin D, magnesium, B vitamins, and L-tyrosine) can prevent proper thyroid hormone production and conversion.


Why you must address the whole body to heal the thyroid. Dr. Amie explains why focusing on thyroid labs alone isn’t enough – and how hormones, gut health, stress, and metabolism must all be supported together for lasting results. 


The truth about iodine (and how to use it safely). Iodine can be beneficial when used correctly, but high doses or improper use can backfire.


One simple dietary shift that can reduce autoimmune attacks. A gluten-free diet may help lower thyroid antibodies and inflammation by reducing immune system confusion and reactivity in people with Hashimoto’s. 

Tune in to learn more about optimizing your thyroid health and finally feeling like yourself again. 

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 mineral expert and BEAM Minerals co-founder Caroline Alan to explore the critical role minerals play in energy, thyroid health, and overall wellness. Caroline shares her personal journey through adrenal fatigue, gut issues, and burnout, and how replenishing plant-based minerals helped her recover when other approaches fell short.

Together, they discuss why mineral deficiency is so widespread today, how it impacts cellular energy production, and why restoring balance – not just supplementing individual nutrients – is key to healing. They also dive into the role of humic and fulvic minerals in detoxification, hydration, and nutrient absorption.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why mineral deficiency is more common than you think – and why food alone may not be enough. You might be eating a healthy diet and still be missing key minerals. The World Health Organization calls this “hidden hunger.” Discover how to spot the gaps and better support your body.


The surprising symptoms of mineral depletion (it’s not just fatigue!). Brain fog, hair loss, gut issues, poor sleep, and even menstrual cramps may all point to low mineral levels. Start connecting the dots behind symptoms that don’t always seem nutrition-related.


How minerals power your energy at the cellular level. Caroline explains how minerals fuel mitochondria – the energy generators inside your cells – and why low mineral levels can leave your body unable to produce enough energy to function properly.


Why balance matters more than individual supplements. Taking one mineral in isolation isn’t always the solution. Minerals work together, and too much of one can create imbalance. Caroline discusses how to approach supplementation in a balanced way.


How plant-based (humic and fulvic) minerals support detoxification and absorption. These unique compounds not only deliver minerals in a highly bioavailable form, but may also help remove toxins like heavy metals and glyphosate from the body.


What to expect when replenishing your minerals. Some people may notice improved energy and fewer cravings within days, while deeper issues like hair loss or chronic symptoms may take a few weeks as the body gradually restores balance.

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 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/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices