In this episode of FMP Essentials, Dr. Yousef Elyaman breaks down the deeper root causes behind hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease, and the patients who continue to struggle even when their labs appear “normal.” 

Using the FMP Essentials tree framework—knowledge as the trunk, wisdom as the roots, leadership as the branches, efficiency as the leaves, and outcomes as the fruit—this conversation offers a practical, clinically grounded roadmap for practitioners who want to take their functional medicine skills to the next level. It is also good for the functional medicine enthusiast that wants to learn more about the root cause of diseases. 

What You’ll Learn 

• Why TSH alone is not enough to fully evaluate thyroid function 

• The crucial difference between hypothyroidism and autoimmune Hashimoto’s 

• The key labs that matter: TSH, Free T4, Total T3, TPO antibodies, Thyroglobulin antibodies, and when Reverse T3 is useful 

• Why patients can have persistent symptoms despite “normal” labs 

• High-impact autoimmune triggers: H. pylori, EBV, Hep C, gluten, dairy, grain proteins, blood sugar dysregulation, circadian disruption, oxidative stress, and more 

• How to structure thyroid and autoimmune care in clear, manageable phases 

• Why addressing sleep, blood sugar, digestion, and circadian rhythm can outperform supplements 

• How every step becomes both a therapeutic move and a diagnostic insight 

Top Clinical Takeaways 

1. Most hypothyroidism is autoimmune—antibody testing is essential. 


2. Hashimoto’s flares can create “normal” labs while symptoms progress underneath. 


3. Always stabilize foundations first: sleep, blood sugar, digestion, inflammation. 


4. Gluten, grains, dairy, infections, and oxidative stress are individualized but high-yield triggers. 


5. Immune tolerance support (vitamin D, vitamin A, glutathione, butyrate) works best once system basics are stabilized. 


6. Sequential, stepwise care outperforms “everything at once” every time. 

Key Insights

Finding problems in functional medicine is easy. Knowing where to start is mastery. 
Hypothyroid patients often have an autoimmune driver beneath the surface. 
Each intervention helps reveal the next step when you know how to read the response. 

Who This Episode Is For 

This episode is designed for anyone committed to deeper, root-cause understanding, including: 

• Functional Medicine Practitioners 

MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs, chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and integrative providers who want to elevate their thyroid and autoimmune clinical mastery. 

• Health Coaches & Nutrition Professionals 

Those supporting clients with fatigue, metabolism, weight challenges, gut symptoms, or autoimmune patterns—and who want clear frameworks to guide lifestyle and nutrition interventions. 

• Functional Medicine Enthusiasts & Educated Patients 

The motivated listener who loves learning the “why” behind symptoms, labs, triggers, and healing pathways—and wants a deeper understanding of their own health journey. 

If you’re committed to taking your knowledge, confidence, and clinical clarity to the next level…this episode is for you. 

Connect

FMP Essentials
Website: www.fmpessentials.com
Instagram: @fmpessentialshq

Dr. Yousef Elyaman
Instagram: @drelyaman

Dr. Datis Kharrazian
Educational Site: www.drknews.com
Practitioner Training: www.kharrazianinstitute.com
Instagram: @datiskharrazian

Music credit: “Heroes Approaching – Extended” by tunes2go 

Sponsors 

FMP Essentials Mastermind – Bronze, Silver & Gold 

Clinical mentorship, leadership development, case walk-throughs, and practitioner success tools. 
www.fmpessentials.com 

Disclaimer 

This podcast is for educational purposes only. 
It does not constitute medical advice or create a doctor–patient relationship.
Supplements discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. 
Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before applying any strategies.