Discover why the GUT Zoomer 3.0 is revolutionizing functional medicine GI testing! Dr. Eric Balcavage interviews Adair Anderson, RD from Vibrant Labs, for an in-depth analysis of this comprehensive stool test that goes far beyond basic bacterial balance.

Key Topics Covered:

• ✅ GUT Zoomer vs Traditional Testing: Why gastroenterologist tests miss root causes
• ✅ Advanced Testing Technology: RT-PCR, biofilm disruption, and LC-MS/MS methodology
• ✅ Complete Gut Assessment: Commensals, pathogens, metabolites, and digestive markers
• ✅ Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Critical role in gut barrier function and immune regulation
• ✅ Zonulin & Intestinal Permeability: Understanding leaky gut and systemic inflammation
• ✅ Secretory IgA Interpretation: Why total IgA levels don't tell the whole story
• ✅ Testing Protocol: Why to test without supplements for accurate baseline results
• ✅ Molecular Mimicry: Cross-reactivity concerns with gluten and other proteins

Perfect for:

• Thyroid patients with persistent digestive issues
• Practitioners seeking comprehensive functional GI testing
• Anyone struggling with chronic GI problems despite normal colonoscopy results
• Patients wanting to understand root causes before disease develops

Expert Insights on:

• When standard GI tests fail to identify problems -
• How stress impacts pancreatic enzyme production
• Why biofilm disruption matters for accurate results
• Post-colonoscopy testing recommendations (wait 2 weeks!)
• Learn why the GUT Zoomer 3.0's evidence-based methodology and comprehensive analysis make it superior to direct-to-consumer tests and traditional stool testing.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction & Adair's Background

• [05:30] Standard vs Functional GI Testing

• [12:15] GUT Zoomer Advantages & Technology

• [18:45] Direct-to-Consumer Test Limitations

• [24:20] Biofilm Disruption Critical Process

• [31:10] Commensals vs Pathogens Deep Dive

• [38:25] Factors Affecting Gut Health

• [45:50] Interpreting GUT Zoomer Results

• [52:30] Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) Role

• [58:15] Intestinal Permeability & Zonulin

• [64:40] Cross-Contamination & Gluten Exposure

• [69:20] Molecular Mimicry & Test Specificity

• [74:35] Secretory IgA Interpretation

• [80:10] Testing Protocol Best Practices

• [85:45] Final Tips for Chronic GI Issues

Adair Anderson is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from Bastyr University and has a strong background in biochemistry, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Earlham College.

Adair has extensive experience in the field and has served on the boards of various nutrition and dietetics organizations. She specializes in helping clients overcome gastrointestinal conditions and focuses on resolving root-cause digestive issues using evidence-based, functional testing.

Adair lives in Washington, DC with her husband, five bikes, and a growing succulent collection. When not working, she enjoys cycling, rock climbing, weightlifting, and yoga.

#GutHealth #FunctionalMedicine #ThyroidGutConnection #GITesting #LeakyGut #Microbiome #ThyroidRecovery"

In episode 198 of the Thyroid Answers Podcast, I discuss the Vitamin D Deficiency Myth with the co-hosts of the Normal Curves Podcast.

In this episode we cover:

• Is vitamin D deficiency really as widespread as people think?

• How did the idea of a vitamin D deficiency epidemic get started?

• Who was behind raising the thresholds, and why did it gain such widespread support?

• Why are so many studies on vitamin D and health flawed or misleading?

• Where do things stand now? What do the latest guidelines say about vitamin D deficiency, testing, and supplements?

• And more ...

Kristin Cobb Sainani is a professor at Stanford University, a freelance science writer, and co-host of the Normal Curves podcast. She teaches statistics and scientific writing worldwide through Stanford Online and Coursera. She has written for Allure magazine and works as a statistician in sports medicine research.

Regina Nuzzo is a professor at Gallaudet University, an award-winning freelance science writer, and co-host of the Normal Curves podcast. She wrote The Mating Game column about dating and relationships for the Los Angeles Times. She has also written for Nature, The New York Times, and Scientific American, and teaches statistics at Stanford each summer.

https://www.normalcurves.com

In 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

In episode 197 of the Thyroid Answers podcast, I discuss GLP-1 with Jeff Thurston. In this episode, we discuss:

• Where GLP-1 is made in the body
• What GLP-1 does in the body.
• The role of GI bacteria in GLP-1 production.
• The role of diet in GLP-1 production.
• The role of lifestyle on gut flora balance and GLP-1 production.
• The role of probiotics
• Strategies for improving gut bacteria and natural GLP-1 production
• And more...

Jeff is the co-owner of Master Supplements and US Enzymes. He has a degree in biology and chemistry. He began his career as a virologist under a government security clearance, working with extremely virulent pathogens. As he grew to understand the purpose of the work, he left to begin a career in sales and sales management. While working in organic agriculture in the Central Valley of CA, he met Randy Porubcan. Both were speakers at a meeting. Being of similar age, similar backgrounds, college in the upper midwest, they hit it off. That was in 1995. Randy suggested they start a business one day. In 2002, Randy called Jeff and asked if he was ready. He said yes, and they started their business, Master Supplements. In September of 2019, they purchased US Enzymes adding a product line of highly efficacious enzyme supplements to their line of probiotics. Jeff can be found at:

usenzymes.com

https://master-supplements.com

Previous episode with Jeff Thurston: TAP 84: Introduction to Probiotics

Topics covered in this episode:

• What is the pelvic floor?
• Why toilet posture is at the root of pelvic floor dysfunction.
• The guarding reflex, bladder and bowel dysfunction.
• Why real or perceived stress impacts your bowel and bladder dysfunction.
• How big a problem is pelvic floor dysfunction?
• And more ...

Dr. Fleischmann is board certified in urology and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery.

She received her medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, NY, where she graduated summa cum laude. Dr. Fleischmann completed her surgery and urology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY and continued her training in a fellowship at NYU School of Medicine.

She is passionate about practicing an integrative approach to urogynecology, correcting the pervasive, unconscious and paradoxical behaviors which can turn into the structural problems and bothersome symptoms that prompt women to seek care. She is the author of the new book “The Second Mouth”, which addresses the powerful mind-body connection in functional urology.

Dr. Fleischmann serves as Director of FPMRS at White Plains Hospital Center where she has been in clinical practice for the last 25 years. She holds an active appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor in Obstetrics and Assistant Clinical Professor of Gynecology and Urology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Additionally, she is a member of the American Urologic Association and Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology (SUFU). Dr. Fleischmann is the author of several research publications and presentations. She lives and practices in New York.

@drnicolefleischmann

Thesecondmouthbook.com

In episode 6 of Thyroid Shorts, I cover the connections between mental health and thyroid physiology.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Your state determines how your thyroid hormone works
• The reasons your thyroid and mental health are inseparable
• The stress-thyroid loop
• Action steps to improve mental and thyroid health

If you want access to my free Emotional Fitness Assessment, DM "Emotion" to my Instagram account, @drericbalcavage, and I will send it to you.

website: https://drericbalcavage.com/

IG: @drericbalcavage

In this episode of the Thyroid Answers Podcast, I talk with health advocate Sara Banta. We discuss her health crisis and the lessons she learned as she navigated her recovery.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Why well-intentioned medication and supplement strategies often go wrong.
• How the state of your physiology determines the outcome.
• Why your cell and thyroid physiology change based on your state.
• Why lab "optimization" strategies can be problematic.
• The power of mindset.
• And more ...

Sara Banta is a renowned Certified Of Dietary Supplement Professional and a member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals, and is celebrated for her dedication to empowering individuals to achieve optimal health through the transformative power of cutting edge natural supplements, DNA-based nutrition, and lifestyle changes. As the founder of the award winning and cutting edge brand Accelerated Health Products, named the Most Innovative Supplement Company FOUR years in a row, Sara has established herself as a trailblazer in the health and wellness industry, pioneering innovative solutions to support holistic well-being.

With a passion for educating and inspiring others, Sara hosts the Top 10 health podcast, the Accelerated Health with Sara Banta, where she shares her wealth of knowledge and expertise with a global audience. Through her engaging and insightful discussions and expert guests, she offers invaluable insights into the latest trends, research, and breakthroughs in health and nutrition.

Recognized for her expertise and commitment to excellence, Sara is a sought-after speaker at conferences, seminars, and events worldwide. Her dynamic presentations captivate audiences as she imparts practical strategies and actionable advice for achieving vibrant health and vitality.

As an advocate for holistic health, Sara believes in the profound impact that carefully formulated supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications can have on overall well-being. With a steadfast commitment to empowering individuals to take control of their health destinies, she continues to inspire positive change and transformation in countless lives.

https://acceleratedhealthproducts.com

https://sarabantahealth.com

https://www.instagram.com/acceleratedhealthproducts/

https://www.facebook.com/acceleratedhealthproducts

In episode 194 of the Thyroid Answers Podcast, DR. Kelly Halderman is back to discuss the Foundational Five Fitness factors that must be addressed to improve your thyroid physiology and health.

If you don't have a good foundation, all the medication and supplement strategies may provide temporary benefits, but will not offer long-term thyroid recovery and health.

Dr. Kelly Halderman has a background in functional medicine, earning her medical doctorate (MD) in 2007 & completing a family practice medicine internship with the University of Minnesota in 2009. She is an international educator in the area of integrative and precision health. Dr. Halderman also has a traditional Naturopathic Medical Degree from KCNH. She holds certification in MethylGenetic Nutrition by The Nutrigenetic Research Institute and certification from The American Functional Neurology Institute in Functional Neurology and Neurofeedback. She is an active member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, President and founder of The American Association of Nutraceutical Formulators, and a member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Society of Physician Entrepreneurs.

Dr. Halderman has a doctorate in clinical nutrition, is also board certified in Clinical Nutrition by the CNCB, has certification in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University, and health coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She also has comprehensive experience in nutraceutical science & formulation, creating & educating on novel formulations for consumers, practitioners & professional associations such as the NFL Hall of Fame. A former physician turned executive-level biotech expert, she currently serves as Weo’s Chief Health Officer. This health-conscious company harnesses the power of diamond electrolysis to augment the most precious molecule on the planet, water.