Healing Hashimoto’s and Supporting Adrenals with Dr. Izabella Wentz

Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP is an internationally acclaimed thyroid specialist and licensed pharmacist who has dedicated her career to addressing the root causes of autoimmune thyroid disease, fatigue and mystery illnesses after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009. She is the author of the New York Times best-selling patient guide Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, the #1 New York Times best-selling protocol-based book Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back, Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, and Adrenal Transformation Protocol: A 4-Week Plan to Release Stress Symptoms and Go from Surviving to Thriving. Together we discuss the experiences that led her to write about Hashimoto’s and the adrenal protocol. She highlights the importance of shifting the stress response when supporting adrenals, the value of building resilience over avoiding stressors altogether, and the connection between adrenal dysfunction and thyroid health. Dr. Wentz touches on a myriad of details about HPA Axis Dysfunction, including balancing adrenals, testing options, the connection between adrenal dysfunction and thyroid health, and the success rates she has seen as she has dedicated her work to helping patients heal from Hashimoto’s. 

 

I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

 

Episode Resources:

Dr. Izabella Wentz - https://thyroidpharmacist.com/

Design for Health Resources:

Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/

Designs for Health Practitioner Exclusive Drug Nutrient Depletion and Interaction Checker - https://www.designsforhealth.com/drug-nutrient-interaction/

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

02:45 Dr. Wentz’s diagnosis with Hashimoto's led her to write books that have helped suffering people around the world. 

06:15 The importance of shifting the stress response when supporting adrenals. 

08:34 Are patterns of dysfunction unavoidable as life and career stressors mount? 

11:02 The value of building resilience over avoiding stressors altogether. 

12:09 Adrenal fatigue and HPA Axis Dysfunction terminology has changed over time, but the importance of providing options to patients has remained the same. 

14:17 The role of hormones and concerns about their side effects. 

17:43 Coffee, wine and sleep may not be the reason a patient is sick, rather they may be self-medicating attempts to balance adrenals. 

19:35 Testing options, including the adrenal salivary index and the Dutch test. 

21:25 The connection between adrenal dysfunction and thyroid health. 

23:25 Key chronic stressors that cause adrenal dysfunction issues. 

25:00 Dr. Wentz weighs in on the ABC’s – adaptogens, B vitamins and Vitamin C – as the most important areas to address from the supplement front. 

28:49 Dr. Wentz’s typical approach to the Hashimoto’s patient is looking for symptom management versus total reversal. 

32:43 How long does it take to get a reduction in thyroid antibodies? 

35:12 What does realistic weight loss look like when coupled with Hashimoto’s? 

37:40 Exercise recommendations for people with HPA Axis Dysfunction. 

40:00 Modalities for improving psychological safety. 

42:35 Dr. Wentz shares her personal favorite adaptogens and how they have helped her. 

45:20 The autoimmune paleo-protocol is often a temporary elimination rather than a lifelong change. 

48:20 Details of the ultimate gut reaction study and Dr. Wentz’s husband’s experience with hemochromatosis. 

52:40 Top personal supplements, top health practices, and the idea that Dr. Wentz has changed her mind about over her years of practice.