Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations with Dr. Izabella Wentz

In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. Erin Kinney, naturopathic doctor and author of The Cortisol Cure. She offers a fresh perspective on cortisol and its role in energy, stress, and healing. Rather than viewing cortisol as a hormone that is always “bad” and needs to be lowered, Dr. Kinney explains why understanding how the body uses and replenishes cortisol can change the way we approach burnout, chronic stress, and autoimmune health. Using her “cortisol bank account” framework, Dr. Kinney explores the everyday factors that can drain your energy reserves, why high achievers may be especially vulnerable to burnout, and how small, practical habits can help support resilience and recovery. What you'll learn in this episode: Why cortisol isn’t the villain it’s made out to be. Dr. Kinney explains that cortisol is your body’s natural anti-inflammatory and helps provide the energy you need to respond to stress. She also discusses why low cortisol, rather than high cortisol, may contribute to symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and sleep disturbances.  The "cortisol bank account" concept. Learn how every stressful activity, internal inflammation, or food sensitivity acts as “withdrawals” from the bank, while rest, parasympathetic practices, and doing things you simply enjoy are more like “deposits” that help replenish and balance energy. Internal vs. external stressors. How hidden internal drains like nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, and chronic infections consume your energy just as much as work, family, and busy schedules. Why "high achievers" fall into burnout. Dr. Kinney discusses the emotional and mindset patterns common in high-performing individuals, such as difficulty resting, lack of boundaries, and saying yes to everyone except themselves, and how to flip the script. Building your "relaxation muscle." Just like physical exercise, resting requires practice. Dr. Kinney shares why relaxation can feel uncomfortable at first and how quick daily micro-practices can strengthen your parasympathetic response over time. Simple two-minute daily resets. Practical, low-barrier tools you can use immediately, including box breathing, belly breathing, humming, and even focused activities like puzzles can help to interrupt anxious thought spirals. Tune in to learn more about cortisol, burnout, stress resilience, and practical ways to support your body's ability to recharge and recover. 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 Dr. Miles Nichols, DAOM, MSOM, LAc, founder of Medicine With Heart Clinic and the Medicine With Heart Institute. Dr. Miles shares his personal Hashimoto’s healing journey, including his experience with debilitating fatigue and brain fog despite being told that his initial testing looked “normal.” His search for answers ultimately led him to look beyond conventional thyroid markers and uncover several potential root causes contributing to his symptoms. Dr. Miles and Dr. Wentz explore why Hashimoto’s can be more complex than a single thyroid diagnosis and how factors involving the gut, immune system, infections, environmental exposures, and nutrient status may fit into the bigger picture. He also shares how he approaches complex cases in his practice, the types of testing that can uncover less obvious contributors, and some of the emerging therapies he believes could shape the future of personalized care. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The overlooked connection between the gut and the thyroid: Dr. Miles shares a surprising discovery from his own health journey involving parietal cell antibodies and H. pylori. He explains how gut-related issues may affect thyroid and immune health, even when someone has no obvious digestive symptoms. What to investigate when the basics have already been addressed: What happens when someone has improved their diet, supported their gut health, prioritized sleep, and worked on stress, and has “normal” thyroid labs, but still doesn’t feel well? Dr. Miles explains what he investigates when a person has done the “right” things but continues to struggle with symptoms. The less obvious contributors to Hashimoto’s symptoms: Dr. Miles discusses the testing that can help uncover hidden factors, including nutrient deficiencies, immune markers, infections, and environmental exposures. He explains why examining these pieces together can provide more useful information than focusing on a single lab value. How environmental exposures may affect thyroid and immune health: Mold, chemicals, microplastics, and other environmental exposures may place additional stress on the body. Dr. Miles explains why identifying and, when possible, addressing the source of an exposure can be an important part of supporting recovery. What the future of thyroid care could look like: From peptides and nervous system therapies to emerging approaches focused on repair and regeneration, Dr. Miles shares the innovations he’s watching closely. He also explains why advanced therapies still need to be considered alongside foundational areas such as nutrition, sleep, stress, and gut health. Tune in to learn more about the root causes that may be influencing Hashimoto’s, what to investigate when conventional testing doesn’t tell the whole story, and the future of personalized thyroid care. 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, host Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. Shivani Gupta, an Ayurvedic expert, author of The Inflammation Code, and founder of Fusionary Formulas. Dr. Gupta shares how her own childhood health struggles and a damaged gut microbiome led her to India to discover Ayurveda – an ancient, preventative system of healing that transformed her health and inspired her life's work. Dr. Wentz and Dr. Gupta dive deep into how Ayurvedic principles can be directly applied to modern thyroid and autoimmune health. They break down the concept of "elemental design" (otherwise known as the doshas – vata, pitta, and kapha) to help listeners understand their unique mind-body constitutions, why different body types experience different thyroid symptoms, and how to use targeted lifestyle practices, warm foods, and grounding techniques to bring the body back into balance. They also explore the therapeutic power of high-dose turmeric for reducing inflammation, healing the gut lining, and supporting cellular longevity, along with practical routines to optimize sleep and align daily habits with the Ayurvedic circadian clock. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Discover your unique Ayurvedic "elemental design" and why it holds the key to your health. Dr. Gupta reveals how your primary constitution – vata, pitta, or kapha – shapes everything from your stress response to your optimal daily habits. Tune in to learn how identifying your specific type can transform the way you approach your diet, movement, and healing. Why symptoms and imbalances can look different for everyone: One person may struggle with cold intolerance and anxiety, while another experiences a slower metabolism, weight changes, inflammation, or skin flare-ups. Learn how Ayurveda uses different body types to explain these variations – and why the wellness practices that help one person may not be right for another. Turmeric acts like a “cellular janitor” for inflammation and gut repair. While most people know turmeric helps with aches and pains, its ability to clear out damaged "zombie" cells and repair the gut lining requires a very specific approach. Dr. Gupta breaks down the exact therapeutic standards needed to target over 30 inflammatory pathways, and why your kitchen spice rack simply isn't enough. Are you absorbing your supplements, or just wasting money? Discover the science behind spice synergy, including a simple pairing that could boost turmeric absorption by 2,000%. Tune in to hear what to look for on product labels so you can ensure you're getting true therapeutic benefits rather than low-quality imitations. The hidden time window that can make or break your lymphatic detox. According to Ayurveda, this restorative sleep window helps your body clear accumulated waste and inflammation. Learn how eating your largest meal around midday, winding down earlier, and protecting your sleep can better support digestion, lymphatic health, and recovery. How to stop pantry raids and soothe your nervous system naturally. Reaching for comfort foods or forcing trendy wellness hacks might be pushing your body further out of balance. Discover simple, grounding rituals, from Epsom salt baths to earthing, that address what your body is truly craving when stress hits. Tune in to learn more about applying ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, smart supplementation, and circadian alignment to restore your thyroid and cellular 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 Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Andy Smith, PEMF therapy educator and founder of CELLER8. Andy explains how pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy and red light therapy interact with the body at the cellular level – and why these technologies may support energy, sleep, recovery, pain management, and overall wellness. Andy also shares the personal health crisis that introduced him to PEMF therapy nearly 15 years ago. After emergency surgery and months of recurring infection, antibiotics, pain, and declining mental health, he discovered a therapy that he believes helped him regain his health and ultimately inspired a new career. Together, Dr. Wentz and Andy explore the differences between PEMF and red light therapy, how to incorporate these tools into a realistic wellness routine, and what consumers should know before investing in an at-home device. What you’ll learn in this episode: How red light therapy may support cellular energy and whole-body healing. Andy explains how red and near-infrared wavelengths interact with the mitochondria and may help the cells produce more ATP – the energy they need to carry out essential functions. He also clarifies why red light and near-infrared light have different applications, from supporting skin health to reaching deeper tissues. What PEMF therapy is – and how it differs from red light therapy. Andy breaks down how pulsed electromagnetic field therapy uses low-frequency electromagnetic fields to interact with the body. He explains why PEMF can travel through the body differently than light-based therapies and why he views it as a foundational tool for supporting cellular health. How a frightening health crisis led Andy to discover his purpose. Andy shares how an unexplained infection, emergency surgery, and six months of recurring symptoms left him physically and emotionally depleted at age 25. After trying PEMF therapy during his recovery, his experience inspired him to leave his family business and dedicate his career to making the technology more accessible. Why PEMF may complement other wellness therapies. Andy discusses why supporting cellular energy and membrane function may help the body make better use of nutrients, supplements, red light therapy, and other modalities. He also shares how PEMF can be paired with practices such as breathwork or incorporated before therapies like hyperbaric oxygen treatment. How PEMF therapy may support sleep, energy, recovery, and pain management. Andy describes the changes people commonly report when using PEMF devices, including deeper sleep, improved daytime energy, and gradual reductions in discomfort. He also explains why consistent use matters and offers realistic ways to incorporate sessions into an already busy routine. What to look for when choosing a PEMF or red light therapy device. Andy explains why trendy, inexpensive, or multi-therapy products may not deliver therapeutic output. He shares practical considerations for evaluating PEMF mats, red light panels, and facial masks – including device specialization, coil coverage, light intensity, diode placement, and ease of use. Tune in to learn more about how PEMF and red light therapy may support cellular energy, recovery, sleep, and overall wellness – plus practical tips for choosing the right device and making these technologies part of your routine. 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 Melissa Schreibfeder, registered nurse, board-certified functional medicine practitioner, and founder of the Functional Nurse Academy. Melissa shares her personal story of navigating postpartum thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s, chronic fatigue, and chronic Lyme disease after years of being dismissed by both conventional and functional medicine providers. Together, they discuss why Lyme disease is often overlooked as a root cause of autoimmune disease and chronic symptoms, how postpartum immune shifts can trigger illness, and why many patients continue struggling despite following restrictive diets and expensive supplement protocols. Melissa also shares the therapies that helped her finally recover and explains why nurses and healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned to transform chronic illness care through functional medicine. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why many people with chronic illness feel failed by both conventional and functional medicine. Melissa shares how she was repeatedly told her symptoms were “just anxiety” before eventually being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and chronic Lyme disease. She also opens up about feeling preyed upon by expensive wellness protocols that focused heavily on supplements, without identifying the true root cause of her symptoms. How postpartum hormone shifts can trigger autoimmune disease and chronic infections. Melissa explains how pregnancy and postpartum immune system changes may activate underlying infections or autoimmune conditions that were previously dormant. We also discuss how nutrient depletions, inflammation, sleep deprivation, and hormonal shifts can create the perfect storm for thyroid issues and chronic illness after pregnancy. Why Lyme disease is often missed – even by functional practitioners. Melissa shares that many chronic Lyme patients never recall a tick bite or the classic “bullseye rash.” She explains why standard Lyme testing can miss up to half of chronic cases and why more advanced testing methods may be necessary when symptoms persist despite doing “all the right things.” The surprising symptoms chronic Lyme disease can cause throughout the body. We discuss how Lyme can mimic countless conditions, including chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, joint pain, neurological symptoms, cardiovascular issues, nerve pain, autoimmune disease, and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). How Melissa finally got her health back after years of chronic illness. Melissa shares the therapies that helped her recover, including herbal protocols, ozone therapy, and a treatment called LymeStop. She explains how healing Lyme often requires supporting the immune system, calming inflammation, replenishing nutrients, and helping the body recover after years of chronic infection. Why nurses and healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned to change the future of chronic illness care. Melissa discusses how functional medicine allows practitioners to focus on prevention, root causes, nutrition, stress, sleep, and early dysfunction – rather than waiting until patients become severely ill before intervening. Tune in to learn more about chronic Lyme disease, autoimmune triggers, thyroid healing, and how to uncover hidden root causes that may be keeping you sick.  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