SHE Talks Health | Thyroid Health Tips, Functional Medicine, Hashimoto's, Hypothyroidism, Gut Health, Hormones, Holistic Healing

Are you confused about hormone replacement therapy and knowing which hormones your body actually needs? How can you navigate perimenopause and menopause symptoms, bioidentical hormones, progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone without feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting information?
In this episode, I’m joined by women’s health nurse practitioner Deanna Woodroffe, who has been working with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for more than 20 years. We’re getting into the details of what personalized hormone care actually looks like — from testing and choosing the right hormones to understanding why what works beautifully for one woman may make another woman feel worse.
We also talk about something that I think gets missed far too often: hormones are only one piece of the puzzle. Stress, gut health, nutrition, magnesium, vitamin D, iron, and other factors can all influence how you feel and how your body responds to hormonal support. Deanna explains perfectly why hormone therapy often involves some trial and error, what symptoms may tell you that something needs to be adjusted, and why staying in communication with your provider is so important.
Deanna and I have also both experienced something called progesterone intolerance, which affects a lot more women than you might think and comes with symptoms like mood changes, anxiety, brain fog, headaches, and more. We talk about different doses and delivery methods, alternatives like Vitex, and why there isn’t one hormone protocol that works for everyone.
Finally, we get into DHEA and pregnenolone, different forms of hormone replacement therapy, and what happens when hormones improve some symptoms but don’t completely get you where you want to be. If you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause, or changing hormones and wondering how to make sense of all your options, this episode will help you understand why finding the right support is really about putting your individual health puzzle together.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or currently use prescription medications, you should discuss any dietary changes or potential dietary supplement use with your doctor, and should not discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.

In This Episode:
[04:45] Deanna’s 20+ years working with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy
[06:15] Why so many women are still afraid of hormone replacement therapy despite new research
[08:00] How direct primary care creates more personalized hormone care
[12:15] Which hormone labs are most useful during perimenopause
[14:00] Why hormones aren’t the whole picture and HRT is a trial and error process
[18:00] How chronic stress affects hormones, blood sugar, and gut health
[22:15] How to know when your hormone replacement therapy needs adjusting
[24:45] Understanding progesterone intolerance and why some women feel worse taking it
[29:00] What to do if you realize you can’t tolerate progesterone
[32:15] Using Vitex and cycling progesterone in younger women
[35:30] How long to wait before adjusting hormone replacement therapy
[38:15] Choosing between pellets, creams, patches, and other forms of HRT
[39:00] The role of DHEA and pregnenolone in perimenopause
[41:00] What to do when hormone replacement therapy isn’t enough
[41:45] The long-term benefits of hormones for bone, heart, and brain health

Find more from Deanna online:
Website: https://vibranthealthofcolorado.com/
Office #: 303-730-2229
Instagram: @vibranthealthofcolorado

Connect with Sophie:
Instagram: @shetalkshealth
Website: shetalkshealth.com
Thyroid Breakthrough Call: https://thyroidhealthaudit.shetalkshealth.com/thyroid-health-audit
Apply to work with us: www.shetalkshealth.com/call
The Mineral Reset (HTMA): https://shethrives.shetalkshealth.com/htma-package
Mineral Mocktail (get your energy back now!: https://shetalkshealth.com/mineral-mocktail-guide/
Stop guessing with your thyroid & Get Answers Now: https://ace.shetalkshealth.com/home-front

Are you struggling with adrenal fatigue, chronic stress, blood sugar imbalances, or symptoms that seem to get worse no matter what you do? Could an overwhelmed stress response system be affecting your thyroid health, hormones, energy, sleep, metabolism, and ability to heal?
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Andrew Neville to take a deeper look at what we commonly call “adrenal fatigue” and what’s actually happening inside the body when we’ve been under too much stress for too long. We talk about how your adrenals, nervous system, limbic system, and thyroid are all connected, and why stress is about so much more than simply feeling overwhelmed.
Dr. Neville breaks down the idea behind the “stress bucket” analogy and why physical, mental, emotional, and environmental stressors can build on one another over time. When that bucket gets too full, your nervous system can become increasingly sensitive and stuck in fight-or-flight, which may help explain why seemingly small stressors begin creating much bigger reactions in the body.
I especially wanted to dig into the connection between chronic stress and thyroid health because this is something I see so often in women with Hashimoto’s. We talk about how the stress response can affect thyroid hormone production and conversion, why simply supporting the thyroid may not address the entire picture, and how cortisol and stress can also influence blood sugar, insulin resistance, weight, energy, and cravings.
Most importantly, this conversation is about understanding why your body may be responding the way it is and finding ways to create more capacity for healing. Dr. Neville shares practical places to start, including focusing on reducing the stressors we can control, supporting more rest-and-digest activity, meditation and nervous system regulation, and keeping blood sugar more stable. You don’t have to eliminate every source of stress from your life, but you can start by creating a little more space in your “stress bucket” and supporting your body in the areas you can control.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or currently use prescription medications, you should discuss any dietary changes or potential dietary supplement use with your doctor, and should not discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.

In This Episode:
[04:00] Dr. Andrew’s personal journey with adrenal fatigue
[06:15] Why “adrenal fatigue” is really stress response system dysfunction
[07:30] How the limbic system controls your stress response
[11:00] Understanding your body’s “stress bucket”
[12:30] How chronic stress sensitizes the nervous system
[16:00] How to create more space in your stress bucket
[20:15] The connection between adrenal health and thyroid function
[23:15] The adrenal connection to Hashimoto’s
[25:45] How stress affects T4 to T3 thyroid hormone conversion
[34:15] How cortisol affects blood sugar, insulin, and weight gain
[43:15] Nervous system regulation and shifting into rest and digest
[46:00] Practical ways to support your stress response system

Find more from Dr. Andrew online:
Website: https://drandrewneville.com/
Take the quiz: https://drandrewneville.com/quiz
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrAndrewNeville
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healingadrenalfatigueholistically/
Instagram: @drandrewneville

Connect with Sophie:
Instagram: @shetalkshealth
Website: shetalkshealth.com
Thyroid Breakthrough Call: https://thyroidhealthaudit.shetalkshealth.com/thyroid-health-audit
Apply to work with us: www.shetalkshealth.com/call
The Mineral Reset (HTMA): https://shethrives.shetalkshealth.com/htma-package
Mineral Mocktail (get your energy back now!: https://shetalkshealth.com/mineral-mocktail-guide/
Stop guessing with your thyroid & Get Answers Now: https://ace.shetalkshealth.com/home-front

Struggling with Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism and wondering whether thyroid medication could actually help you feel better? How do you know which thyroid labs to test, whether you need T3 or T4, and if medication belongs in your thyroid healing journey?
In this episode, I’m sitting down with Dr. Jen Mann, a naturopathic doctor who understands this struggle on a deeply personal level. Jen and I both experienced thyroid and gut issues from a young age, and we talk about what it’s like to spend years pushing through fatigue, depression, brain fog, digestive problems, and other symptoms before finally getting answers.
We also dive into thyroid medication, a topic that is usually surrounded by a lot of confusion for women with thyroid disease. We break down the differences between T3 and T4, synthetic and compounded options, what your thyroid labs can tell you, and why how you actually feel matters just as much as the numbers on a piece of paper. Our goal is to take away some of the shame around needing medication and remind you that thyroid support doesn't have to be all-natural or all-medication. It can be both.
And as always, we're looking beyond the thyroid itself. We talk about gut health, stress, hormones, nutrition, rest, and the other pieces that can influence how your body feels and functions. If you have Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism and you're tired of wondering whether you're doing the "right" thing, this episode will help you better understand your options and feel more empowered to find the approach that works for your body.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or currently use prescription medications, you should discuss any dietary changes or potential dietary supplement use with your doctor, and should not discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.

In This Episode:
[05:30] Dr. Jen’s personal Hashimoto’s journey
[07:30] Why thyroid symptoms are often dismissed in young women
[08:15] How Dr. Jen finally discovered she had Hashimoto’s
[12:45] The connection between gut health and thyroid health
[14:45] Where thyroid medication fits into Hashimoto’s treatment
[17:15] Do you have to stay on thyroid medication forever?
[20:30] How to choose between T3, T4, and combination thyroid medication
[22:00] Why normal thyroid labs don’t always mean you’re feeling well
[23:30] Synthetic vs. compounded thyroid medication
[24:45] The thyroid labs and markers you should be testing
[26:30] How quickly can thyroid medication make a difference?
[29:00] Important functional labs beyond a thyroid panel
[30:15] How estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and other hormones affect your thyroid
[32:45] Dr. Jen’s top recommendations for women with Hashimoto’s
[34:30] Why you shouldn’t be afraid of thyroid medication

Are you struggling with recurrent UTIs, bladder pain, or interstitial cystitis and wondering why the symptoms keep coming back? Could aloe vera, hormone support, and new approaches to women’s pelvic health offer better options for UTI prevention and chronic bladder symptoms?
In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Florio, CEO of Desert Harvest and a leading advocate for women’s pelvic health. We’re talking about a topic that affects so many women but often doesn’t get the attention it deserves: chronic bladder symptoms and interstitial cystitis. Heather explains why IC can feel so much like a UTI that never goes away, why women can spend years searching for the right diagnosis, and what newer research is teaching us about the different causes of bladder and pelvic pain.
We also get nerdy about aloe vera and the research behind using it to support the bladder lining, including what makes certain forms of aloe different from what you might find at the grocery or health food store. Heather walks us through the connection between bladder health and hormones, why symptoms may become more common during menopause and post-menopause, and how declining estrogen may affect the tissues of the bladder and pelvic region.

And we don’t stop at interstitial cystitis. We talk about recurrent UTIs, why D-mannose may not address every type of UTI-causing bacteria, and some of the newer research Heather and her team are exploring around lactoferrin, endometriosis, iron balance, Hashimoto’s, and thyroid health. If you’ve been dealing with chronic bladder symptoms, pelvic pain, hormonal changes, or recurring UTIs and feel like you’re still searching for answers, this conversation will give you some fascinating new things to explore.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or currently use prescription medications, you should discuss any dietary changes or potential dietary supplement use with your doctor, and should not discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.

In This Episode:
[02:45] How Desert Harvest got its start in 1993
[08:20] Why interstitial cystitis is often misdiagnosed or completely missed in women
[10:45] New research reveals 3 distinct categories of interstitial cystitis
[12:40] Desert Harvest products that are currently undergoing drug trials
[15:10] How does aloe vera work inside the bladder?
[19:45] Why does IC happen in the first place?
[25:15] Continued fears around HRT keep women feeling sick
[29:04] Can SSAV be combined with HRT to be even more useful for women with IC?
[26:05] The risks and benefits of using telehealth for HRT
[32:50] Supporting healthy iron levels throughout life and menstruation
[34:35] How can Desert Harvest products support chronic UTIs?
[38:50] New developments working on products for people with thyroid problems

Find more from Heather online:
Website: https://desertharvest.com/
Instagram: @desertharvestaloevera
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesertHarvest/

Connect with Sophie:
Instagram: @shetalkshealth
Website: shetalkshealth.com
Thyroid Breakthrough Call: https://thyroidhealthaudit.shetalkshealth.com/thyroid-health-audit
Apply to work with us: www.shetalkshealth.com/call
The Mineral Reset (HTMA): https://shethrives.shetalkshealth.com/htma-package
Mineral Mocktail (get your energy back now!: https://shetalkshealth.com/mineral-mocktail-guide/
Stop guessing with your thyroid & Get Answers Now: https://ace.shetalkshealth.com/home-front

Are you struggling with hypothyroidism symptoms even though you're eating well and doing everything "right"? Could hidden issues like histamine intolerance, adrenal dysfunction, gut health, or stress be preventing your thyroid from healing?
In this episode, I want to take you behind the scenes of one of my real Thyroid Breakthrough Calls and show you how I approach complex thyroid cases. I walk you through the story of a client who had been dealing with fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, digestive issues, skin problems, painful cycles, and more, despite years of trying different health protocols.
I also explain why thyroid health is about so much more than your thyroid gland. We talk about how stress, gut health, histamine, liver function, and mineral balance can all influence how you feel, and why addressing those underlying factors often leads to much better results than simply trying another supplement or restrictive diet.
I also share the practical strategies we used during this breakthrough call, the improvements my client experienced, and how creating a personalized roadmap can help you move toward lasting healing with confidence. If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you've run out of options, I hope this episode helps you feel seen and gives you hope that there's another way to approach your health.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or currently use prescription medications, you should discuss any dietary changes or potential dietary supplement use with your doctor, and should not discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.

In This Episode:
[00:00] Inside a real Thyroid Breakthrough Call
[01:15] Why looking at the whole body matters
[02:45] A client's hypothyroidism symptoms explained
[05:15] The histamine clues most women miss
[07:30] How adrenal burnout affects thyroid function
[10:30] Why liver health matters for hypothyroidism
[12:15] Why DIY thyroid healing often falls short
[13:15] The first steps to stabilize histamine
[14:00] Rebuilding minerals to support the thyroid
[15:15] The labs that provide better answers
[16:30] The early improvements after one call
[18:45] The power of a personalized thyroid plan
[20:15] Is a Thyroid Breakthrough Call right for you?

Connect with Sophie:
Instagram: @shetalkshealth
The Mineral Reset (HTMA): https://shethrives.shetalkshealth.com/htma-package
Thyroid Breakthrough Call: https://thyroidhealthaudit.shetalkshealth.com/thyroid-health-audit
Mineral Mocktail (get your energy back now!: https://shetalkshealth.com/mineral-mocktail-guide/
Stop guessing with your thyroid & Get Answers Now: https://ace.shetalkshealth.com/home-front
Website: shetalkshealth.com
Apply to work with us: www.shetalkshealth.com/call