Her antibodies were high, her gut was off and surgery was on the table. So she started asking what was really driving her symptoms.

Alexandria was told she had the antibodies for both Graves’ and Hashimoto’s in 2017 and initially followed conventional advice, including methimazole. But after facing the possibility of thyroid removal, she explores deeper root causes. This health audit traces the progress she’s made with dietary changes, gut support, and lifestyle shifts and the imminent questions as she prepares for a future pregnancy. We discuss why her antibody levels dropped, where she’s still seeing symptoms, and what steps might help her move forward without fully relying on medication.

Managing your thyroid but curious about alternative support options? Listen to this episode!

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Episode Overview

01:44 – Podcast Intro

02:16 – Meet Alexa and her Diagnosis

03:00 – Seeking Alternatives to Thyroid Removal
04:42 – Impact of gluten-free and AIP diets

06:00 – Goiter changes with diet

06:44 – Dairy and food tradeoffs

07:14 – Antibody testing history

08:03 – Gut support: HCl, Rifaximin, colostrum

09:18 – SIBO diagnosis and food sensitivities

10:42 – Gluten, permeability, and testing limitations

11:33 – Lifelong gut issues and acid blocker use

13:23 – Apple cider vinegar and digestive strategies

15:19 – Pregnancy while on medication

16:00 – Detox planning before conception

18:32 – Stool test, travel, and GI infections

19:19 – SIBO, food poisoning, and motility damage

22:16 – AIP next steps and testing decisions

23:52 – Podcast Outro

24:13 – Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Free resources for your thyroid health

Get your FREE Thyroid and Immune Health Restoration Action Points Checklist at SaveMyThyroidChecklist.com

High-Quality Nutritional Supplements For Hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto’ s
Have you checked out my new ThyroSave supplement line? These high-quality supplements can benefit those with hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto’s, and you can receive special offers, along with 10% off your first order, by signing up for emails and text messages when you visit ThyroSave.com.

Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid?

Click Here to access hundreds of free articles and blog posts.

Click Here for Dr. Eric’s YouTube channel

Click Here to join Dr. Eric’s Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s group

Click Here to take the Thyroid Saving Score Quiz

Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid?

Click Here to access hundreds of free articles and blog posts.

Click Here for Dr. Eric’s YouTube channel

Click Here to join Dr. Eric’s Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s group

Click Here to take the Thyroid Saving Score Quiz

Click Here to get all of Dr. Eric’s published books

Click Here to work with Dr. Eric

How much plastic, mold, and chemical pollution are you unknowingly breathing, eating, and drinking each day?

You might be surprised by where toxins hide—in your water, your food, even the air inside your home. Dr. Stefan Neff explores the subtle but powerful ways environmental toxins build up in the body over time. Something as simple as reheating leftovers in plastic or using the wrong water filter can increase your toxic burden, quietly impacting thyroid health, hormones, and long-term vitality. But it’s not all bad news. Dr. Neff shares simple, affordable steps anyone can take to make their home and lifestyle safer without turning life upside down.

Discover easy ways to lower toxin exposure and protect your thyroid. Listen now!

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Episode Overview

00:57 – Podcast Intro

01:30 – Why toxins are a hidden thyroid disruptor
06:05 – How microplastics entered our daily lives
12:40 – The scary truth about how much plastic we consume
18:06 – Microplastics and the brain: crossing the blood-brain barrier
23:20 – Links between toxins, Hashimoto’s, and autoimmunity
26:13 – Why it takes years to connect toxins to thyroid symptoms
31:00 – How mold and mycotoxins sneak into the body
37:24 – Quick-fix detoxes vs. what really works
42:50 – Air, water, and food: the big 3 toxin sources
53:24 – Saunas, binders, and realistic detox strategies
1:02:56 – Genetics, lifestyle, and detox capacity
1:11:14 – Hope for long-term thyroid and hormone protection
1:14:49 – Closing thoughts and where to learn more

1:14:53 – Podcast Outro

About Dr. Stephan Neff:

Functional medicine is not just about treating symptoms; it’s about understanding the root causes of illness and uncovering the unique biochemical, genetic, and lifestyle factors that influence each individual’s health.

As a functional medicine practitioner, Dr. Stephan Neff is deeply passionate about guiding people toward a longer, healthier life, focusing on healthspan rather than just lifespan. His approach combines the latest in functional testing and evaluations with a holistic view of health, recognizing that our physical, emotional, and mental well-being are all intertwined.

Through detailed assessments, advanced diagnostics, and personalized treatment plans, Dr. Neff helps his clients identify imbalances and potential risks early on. This approach allows us to address not just chronic disease prevention but also the optimization of energy, resilience, and overall vitality. His ultimate goal is to empower individuals to take charge of their health by understanding their bodies, making informed choices, and using tools that promote healing from within.

Connect with Dr. Stephan Neff:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ5Rgw59jOX4y3iDeMAXpwQ
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neffinspiration

Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid?

Click Here to access hundreds of free articles and blog posts.

Click Here for Dr. Eric’s YouTube channel

Click Here to join Dr. Eric’s Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s group

Click Here to take the Thyroid Saving Score Quiz

Click Here to get all of Dr. Eric’s published books

Click Here to work with Dr. Eric

Before adjusting your thyroid meds, have you ever ruled out gut-based triggers?

Gut imbalances can have a bigger impact on thyroid health than most realize, especially in autoimmune conditions like Graves’ and Hashimoto’s. When the gut barrier breaks down, the immune system can get confused and prevent symptoms from fully improving. Testing can also be tricky, and just because something shows up doesn’t always mean it needs to be treated.

In this episode, I walk through how I approach these situations; how to evaluate critically, when to dig deeper, and when the priority should be foundational support like stress, sleep, and diet.

Tune in to get a clearer picture of how gut health could be influencing your thyroid!

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Introduction to the Question

00:08 – How infections can impact gut and thyroid function

01:15 – Molecular mimicry and immune confusion

01:35 – Infections and overgrowths that may influence autoimmunity

02:36 – Testing methods and treatment preferences

03:39 – Parasite treatment debates and false negatives

05:07 – Why root cause work goes beyond infection treatment

06:03 – Episode Wrap up

06:40 – Podcast Outro

Free resources for your thyroid health

Get your FREE Thyroid and Immune Health Restoration Action Points Checklist at SaveMyThyroidChecklist.com

High-Quality Nutritional Supplements For Hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto’ s
Have you checked out my new ThyroSave supplement line? These high-quality supplements can benefit those with hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto’s, and you can receive special offers, along with 10% off your first order, by signing up for emails and text messages when you visit ThyroSave.com.

Do You Want Help Saving Your Thyroid?

Click Here to access hundreds of free articles and blog posts.

Click Here for Dr. Eric’s YouTube channel

Click Here to join Dr. Eric’s Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s group

Click Here to take the Thyroid Saving Score Quiz

Click Here to get all of Dr. Eric’s published books

Click Here to work with Dr. Eric