Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations with Dr. Izabella Wentz

• 66: The Gut-Thyroid Connection: Uncovering the Root Causes of Intestinal Permeability | Dr. Izabella Wentz

  In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz explores the science behind intestinal permeability (leaky gut), a critical factor in both Hashimoto’s and irritable bowel syndrome. Drawing from her own story and over a decade of clinical research, she shares how healing the gut can lower thyroid antibodies, improve symptoms, and even bring autoimmune conditions into remission. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why intestinal permeability is central to autoimmunity. Dr. Alessio Fasano’s “three-legged stool” theory shows that while we can’t change our genes and don’t always know our exact triggers, we can heal intestinal permeability – often reducing inflammation and lowering thyroid antibodies. Dr. Wentz shares steps that can strengthen your gut lining and calm immune reactivity. Leaky gut often shows up before an autoimmune diagnosis. IBS symptoms frequently appear 5 to 15 years before Hashimoto’s or other autoimmune conditions. Digestive pain, reflux, or bloating may be early warning signs, but intestinal permeability can also exist without gut symptoms. Discover how to recognize these early patterns and begin restoring balance before autoimmunity progresses. Food sensitivities play a big role. Gluten and dairy are the most common culprits, but soy, eggs, nuts, grains, and nightshades can also trigger leaky gut. Dr. Wentz shares her tips on short-term elimination plans, tracking symptom responses, and safely reintroducing foods. Nutrient deficiencies can prevent gut healing. Zinc and glutamine are two of the most critical nutrients for repairing the gut lining, yet they’re often depleted in people with autoimmune disease, chronic stress, or poor digestion. Discover how to assess your nutrient status and use targeted supplementation or food-based support to rebuild your gut barrier. Gut infections and imbalances are hidden drivers. SIBO, Candida, mold colonization, and parasites like Blastocystis hominis all contribute to intestinal permeability. Discover how functional tests such as breath tests, organic acid testing, GI-MAP, or mycotoxin panels can uncover these hidden infections, and how to work with your practitioner to treat them effectively. Healing your gut transforms overall health. Restoring gut integrity can lead to remission of Hashimoto’s and IBS, and even improve conditions like migraines, asthma, and allergies. Discover how strategies like mindful eating, stress reduction, and using key nutrients can help your intestinal lining thrive. Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode!  Dr. Wentz’s new book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, will be out on March 17, 2026. Many people with Hashimoto’s have irritable bowel syndrome, which can be both a root cause and symptom of autoimmunity. This comprehensive guide reveals how irritable bowel syndrome is often a catch-all diagnosis that overlooks treatable root causes. It offers a step-by-step approach to help readers understand what’s really driving gut symptoms, and how to create a personalized plan to restore gut health and overall wellness.  Order your copy of IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/ibs-book-preorders/ 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

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• 65: The Perimenopause Revolution With Dr. Mariza Snyder

  In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. Mariza Snyder, bestselling author and women’s health advocate, about one of the most misunderstood life transitions: perimenopause. Her new book, The Perimenopause Revolution, is a love letter to women navigating perimenopause. Together, they explore why this stage often feels like a second puberty, how declining hormones affect the entire body, and the steps women can take to feel like themselves again. What you’ll learn in this episode: Perimenopause is a neuroendocrine shift – a “second puberty.” Dr. Mariza explains how declining communication between the ovaries and brain leads to erratic hormones, destabilizing moods, and physical changes. Just like puberty and postpartum, this season reshapes our physiology and even rewires our brains. Symptoms often begin earlier than expected. While the average age of menopause is around 52, many women feel perimenopause as early as their mid-to-late thirties, especially those with Hashimoto’s, PCOS, endometriosis, or high stress loads. Recognizing the signs early can help shorten the learning curve. Progesterone declines first, and it impacts the brain. Early perimenopause is marked by low progesterone, leading to poor stress tolerance, sleep issues, mood swings, and PMS-like symptoms. Estrogen follows later with its own ripple effects, from hot flashes to joint pain and cognitive changes. Why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be a game-changer. Despite fear-mongering, FDA-approved bioidentical hormones can be safe, affordable, and life-changing. Dr. Mariza shares her mother’s story, her own journey, and tips for advocating with doctors to get the support you need. Lifestyle shifts are non-negotiable. From blood sugar balance and strength training to sleep hygiene and daily movement “snacks,” Dr. Mariza outlines the foundations that help women reclaim their energy and protect long-term health during this transition. You’re not broken – you’re transforming. Perimenopause can feel like losing your old self. But with the right tools and support, it’s also an opportunity to rewrite your story and thrive in midlife and beyond. 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

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• 64: Is Your Indoor Air Making You Sick? How to Fix it Fast With Mike Feldstein

  In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Wentz interviews Mike Feldstein, founder of Jaspr, about the hidden health effects of indoor air and practical solutions you can use today.  Mike explains how modern building practices trap pollutants, why classrooms are a high-impact target for filtration, and the real difference between small retail purifiers and commercial air scrubbers. Tune in to learn about the best choices for indoor air filtering, and how this and other simple steps can relieve conditions like asthma and allergies, help you get a more restful sleep, and support recovery for anyone with autoimmune disease and chronic sensitivities. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air: Unlike outdoor environments where wind, sunlight, and rain naturally cleanse toxins, our homes trap mold, VOCs, and bacteria inside. As a result, indoor air can be 5 to 10 times dirtier than the air outside, driving brain fog, fatigue, allergies, and asthma. Targeted changes like daily ventilation, high-efficiency air scrubbers, and simple monitors can transform your environment into one that supports healing instead of undermining it. How “sick building syndrome” affects your health: The energy-efficient buildings that started to be built in the 1970s seal in mold, chemicals, and poor ventilation. This hidden trade-off explains why so many people feel unwell in their own homes and workplaces. Why size and scale matter in air purification: Small, store-bought purifiers often work like golf carts – fine for light use, but not built for real health demands. Air scrubbers operate more like SUVs, moving far more air through larger filters and reducing pollutants on a much bigger scale. Choosing the right “vehicle” for your space can mean the difference between slightly cleaner air and truly life-changing results. Everyday toxins may be hiding in your home: Furniture, flooring, cleaning products, fragrances, and even diaper pails can release chemicals that linger in the air. These daily exposures add up, and clearing them can relieve symptoms you may not have connected to your environment. Air scrubbers vs. basic purifiers: Store-bought purifiers may only improve air quality by 10 to 20%, while air scrubbers like Jaspr can reduce pollutants by up to 99%. That level of clean air can be life-changing for those with asthma, autoimmunity, or chronic sleep issues. Clean air as a missing pillar of functional medicine: Just as water filtration and clean diets are now common practice, air quality deserves the same attention. Without it, even the best supplements and protocols may fall short of lasting results. 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

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• 63: The Iodine Paradox: What Every Thyroid Patient Needs to Know – With Dr. Alan Christianson

  In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz speaks with naturopathic endocrinologist and bestselling author Dr. Alan Christianson about the controversial role of iodine in thyroid health. While iodine is essential in small amounts, excess intake has been shown to trigger Hashimoto’s, worsen autoimmunity, and disrupt thyroid function. Dr. Christianson shares how a carefully structured low iodine protocol has helped many of his patients reduce antibodies, normalize TSH, and in some cases, taper off thyroid medications. He also explores hidden dietary and lifestyle sources of iodine, why genetics play a role in tolerance, and how supporting nutrients like selenium and vitamin D can protect thyroid health. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why iodine is a double-edged sword for the thyroid. While essential in small amounts, iodine has one of the narrowest therapeutic ranges of any nutrient. Too much can trigger Hashimoto’s, worsen autoimmunity, and cause the thyroid to “shut down,” leading to hypothyroidism. The genetic factor in iodine tolerance. Dr. Christianson explains how some people are adapted to coastal diets rich in iodine, while others with “inland genetics” are much more sensitive. These differences can explain why some people tolerate seaweed and kelp – while others see skyrocketing antibodies. Hidden sources of iodine in your diet and home. Beyond seaweed snacks and iodized salt, high iodine exposure can come from dairy, processed bread, prenatal vitamins, and even personal care products like conditioner and lotion. Identifying these sources is a key step toward healing. How a low-iodine reset can help the thyroid recover. Short-term iodine reduction (below ~100 mcg/day) can give the thyroid space to heal. Dr. Christianson shares research and patient stories showing that many people who stick with the reset see dramatic improvements, from normalizing thyroid labs to lowering antibodies, often within just a few months. When to discuss med changes with your doctor. In some cases, a supervised low-iodine protocol may allow for gradual reductions in thyroid medication. Dr. Christianson notes that studies show many patients can safely lower – and some even stop – their meds, but emphasizes this process must be done cautiously, with close monitoring. The co-nutrients that widen your “safety window.” Selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and iron aren’t optional extras; they’re critical for how your thyroid handles iodine. These nutrients support the enzymes that regulate iodine metabolism and help protect the thyroid from oxidative stress. When they’re low, excess iodine does more damage; when they’re optimized, your thyroid can tolerate a wider range without flaring. autoimmunity. 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

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• 62: Lung Detox Secrets for Healing Chronic Illness and Boosting Vitality With Christa Orecchio

  In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews longtime friend and collaborator Christa Orecchio, a clinical and holistic nutritionist with nearly two decades of experience in gut, adrenal, and lung health. They discuss a cutting-edge integrative approach to healing asthma, mold illness, long-COVID lung damage, and respiratory inflammation, with surprising connections to emotional trauma and nervous system regulation. Christa shares how salicylates, environmental toxins, and even repressed grief can lead to persistent lung dysfunction, and how her new lung rejuvenation program combines herbal therapy, postbiotics, trauma healing, and targeted breathwork to reverse symptoms and restore cellular vitality. Tune in to learn more about: Why lung issues go beyond inflammation or allergies: Trauma, mold exposure, antibiotics, smoking or vaping, unresolved grief, and even early childhood infections can create deep dysfunction in the lungs. Addressing them is essential for lasting healing. How environmental toxins silently damage lungs: Everyday exposures such as flame retardants, formaldehyde, pesticides, glyphosate, wildfire smoke, and nanoplastics can scar lung tissue over time. Detox support and air purification become essential, even for those living “clean.” The surprising role of foods and oils in asthma: High-salicylate foods and products including dried fruits, apples, strawberries, plums, tomatoes, cucumbers, coffee, wine, and peppermint oil can trigger respiratory flares. Short elimination trials combined with salt therapy often bring quick relief. The emotional-spiritual link to breathing: Unprocessed grief and trauma can lodge in the lungs, showing up as asthma, chronic cough, or shallow breathing. Healing through grief work, somatic therapies, or homeopathy can restore vitality and ease of breath. Herbs and nutrients that rebuild the lungs: Lungwort, golden seal, lotus root, boswellia, DNA and RNA tissue factors, postbiotics, and mitochondrial supports such as CoQ10, PQQ, and L-carnitine help restore tissue integrity, reduce inflammation, and strengthen resilience. Why nervous system healing is non-negotiable: Breathwork, EFT, and somatic trauma therapies shift the body out of fight-or-flight and into parasympathetic rest-and-heal mode. This nervous system reset unlocks true recovery for both lungs and thyroid. 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

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