TS Episode 13: Reading Between the Lines of Your Thyroid Labs
Thyroid Answers Podcast
Tired of being told "your labs are normal" while you still feel terrible? This episode will transform you from a passive patient into an informed advocate who understands what comprehensive thyroid testing should include and how to interpret the results. Dr. Eric Balcavage reveals why most doctors run incomplete thyroid panels and miss critical patterns that explain persistent symptoms. Discover the complete 9-marker thyroid panel you need, including the often-overlooked T3 Uptake that can reveal binding protein issues masquerading as hormone deficiencies. Learn why "normal"...
info_outline
Episode 206: Rebooting Your Thyroid Physiology with Dr. Justin Marchegiani
Thyroid Answers Podcast
In episode 206 of the Thyroid Answers Podcast, I interview Dr. Justin Marchegiani regarding his newly released book, The Thyroid Reboot. Topics covered in this episode include: Why is The Thyroid Reboot book different than others? What is driving thyroiditis and hypothyroidism? Is hypothyroidism caused by an immune system out of control or an adaptive response? The impact of stressors on driving thyroiditis and hypothyroidism Starting points for addressing hypothyroidism The role of thyroid antibodies And more... Dr. Justin Marchegiani began his medical career at the University of...
info_outline
TS Episode 12: The Real Reason Your Thyroid Medication Isn't Working
Thyroid Answers Podcast
If you're taking thyroid medication but still struggling with fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain despite "perfect" lab results, this episode will change everything. Dr. Eric Balcavage reveals why millions of thyroid patients are stuck in "Thyroid Purgatory" - where labs look optimal but symptoms persist - and introduces the groundbreaking concept of cellular hypothyroidism that explains why your cells may be rejecting the thyroid hormones you're taking. Discover why the Cell Danger Response acts like a cellular security system, blocking thyroid hormone utilization even when blood...
info_outline
Episode 205: Understanding Thyroid Labs: What Your Doctor Might Be Missing
Thyroid Answers Podcast
In episode 205 of the Thyroid Answers Podcast, Dr. Kelly Halderman returns to discuss Thyroid labs and what your doctor might be missing. In this episode, we cover: Why TSH run by itself can be a misleading test Why both total and free hormones should be run, but often aren't Understanding T3 Uptake Reverse T3: what it is and why it is improtant Thyroid antibodies: the reality behind their presence And more... If you struggle with chronic hypothyroid symptoms despite what you have been told is appropriate or "optimized" Thyroid Hormone Replacement, you must listen to this episode. The...
info_outline
Thyroid Shorts 11: FDA Removal of Dessicated Thyroid Extracts - Why this may not be a bad thing
Thyroid Answers Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Eric Balcavage discusses the recent announcement by the FDA to remove dessicated thyroid extracts from the market. Key Topics Covered: Why this may not be a bad thing. Alternatives to DTE Why DTE prescriptions can be a slippery slope. Why DTE prescriptions may keep you stuck in thyroid purgatory Why DTE prescription may be contributing to your hypo and hyperthyroid symptoms. And more...
info_outline
Episode 204: How The Microbiome Impacts Your health, Immune System, and Thyroid Physiology
Thyroid Answers Podcast
Join Dr. Eric Balcavage as he explores the critical relationship between gut health and thyroid function with registered dietitian and microbiome expert Kara Siedman. This episode dives deep into how your microbiome - the collection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses living in your gut - directly impacts thyroid physiology and overall health. Kara breaks down the complex science into actionable insights, explaining how gut dysbiosis can trigger thyroid dysfunction through inflammatory pathways, intestinal permeability, and disrupted hormone conversion. You'll discover why digestive...
info_outline
Thyroid Shorts Episode 10: Does the Cell Danger Response Apply to Everyone?
Thyroid Answers Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Eric Balcavage responds to a thoughtful viewer comment that challenges key aspects of his adaptive thyroid physiology model and Cell Danger Response theory. This deep-dive discussion addresses whether his approach applies to every hypothyroidism case, clarifies the 71% improvement statistic, and explores the role of T3 therapy in thyroid treatment. Key Topics Covered: Does the Cell Danger Response theory apply to all hypothyroidism cases? Clarification of the 71% patient improvement statistic - what it really means Historical use of NDT (Natural Desiccated...
info_outline
Episode 203: The Gut-Thyroid Connection: How Your Microbiome Impacts Your Metabolism
Thyroid Answers Podcast
In this episode of Thyroid Answers, Dr. Eric Balcavage sits down with functional health coach Anu Simh to explore the critical connection between gut health, thyroid function, and overall metabolism. What You'll Learn: Why normal TSH doesn't mean optimal thyroid function - and what's really happening at the cellular level How chronic stress disrupts your gut microbiome and creates a cascade of health issues The difference between homeostasis and allostatic regulation - and why understanding this changes everything Why gut protocols often fail long-term (and what's...
info_outline
Episode 202: Missing Strategies That May Ignite Your Weight Loss
Thyroid Answers Podcast
Dr. Eric Balcavage interviews Nagina Abdullah about why traditional weight loss approaches fail for women with thyroid issues, especially in midlife. Nagina shares her personal journey from yo-yo dieting to losing 40 pounds using metabolism-focused strategies and reveals the framework she's used to help 1600+ women. Key Topics Covered: Why "calories in, calories out" doesn't work in midlife How perimenopause changes metabolism and increases inflammation The role of stress, sleep, and under-eating in weight gain Nagina's "Tested & Perfected Fat Burning Food...
info_outline
Episode 201: Radiopharmaceutical Therapy & Theranostics: A New Frontier in Thyroid and Cancer Care
Thyroid Answers Podcast
Join Dr. Eric Balcavage as he explores the cutting-edge world of nuclear medicine with Dr. Munir Ghesani, Chief Medical Officer at United Theranostics. Discover how theranostics—the fusion of diagnostics and therapeutics—is revolutionizing cancer treatment, particularly for thyroid conditions. Key Topics Covered: The fascinating history of nuclear medicine, born from thyroid treatment in the 1940s How radioactive iodine therapy works and why it's so effective for thyroid cancer The difference between traditional treatment and modern theranostic approaches Revolutionary redifferentiation...
info_outlineIn Episode 7 of the Thyroid Answers Shorts hypothyroidism podcast, Dr. Eric covers the Thyroid Hormone - GLP-1 Trap.
Are you struggling with weight gain, blood sugar issues, severe constipation, and crushing fatigue despite having "optimized" thyroid labs? You might be caught in the GLP-1 trap.
In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Eric Balcavage reveals the dangerous cascade that occurs when we override the body's protective mechanisms with thyroid medications and GLP-1 drugs.
What You'll Learn:
- How GLP-1 (the body's natural metabolic coordinator) depends on proper thyroid function
- Why thyroid allostasis is protective, not pathological
- The metabolic mismatch created when forcing "optimal" labs during cellular stress
- How T4 and T3 medications can worsen GLP-1 signaling in allostatic states
- Why combining thyroid "optimization" with GLP-1 drugs creates a perfect metabolic storm
- The shocking truth about where your body gets glucose when both sources are blocked
- Warning signs you're trapped in this dangerous cycle
Key Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction: The Thyroid - GLP-1 Trap
1:58 - What is GLP-1 and how it regulates metabolism
4:06 - How T3 supports GLP-1 production in homeostasis
6:58 - Thyroid allostasis: Your body's protective response
10:08 - Why "optimized" thyroid labs don't fix the problem
13:24 - The metabolic trap: Where does glucose come from?
16:03 - Warning signs you're caught in this cycle
17:04 - The solution: Addressing root causes, not forcing optimization
Key Insight: When GLP-1 medications block glucose intake and production in someone with thyroid allostasis (who can't efficiently burn fat or produce ketones), the body turns to muscle catabolism and inefficient metabolic pathways, leading to muscle wasting and worsening fatigue despite "better" labs.
This episode challenges both conventional and functional medicine approaches, showing why restoration trumps optimization every time.
Perfect for: Anyone on thyroid medication not working as expected, those with hypothyroidism considering GLP-1 medications, functional medicine thyroid patients, and practitioners who want to understand the deeper metabolic connections. Remember: Your body isn't broken - it's adapting to protect you. The solution isn't to override these mechanisms, but to address what's driving your body into this protective state.
www.drericbalcavage.com