Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations with Dr. Izabella Wentz

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz speaks with Sara Russell, PhD, FNTP, a functional nutritional therapy practitioner specializing in women’s mental health and perinatal lab interpretation. Together, they explore the often-missed connections between bipolar symptoms, thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity, gluten-related disorders (including serum-negative celiac), medication side effects, and postpartum mental health risks.

They also discuss why many patients aren’t properly monitored when prescribed medications like lithium, how blood sugar instability can amplify anxiety and immune activation, and what key labs can help uncover root causes – especially during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum, when “normal” reference ranges can shift dramatically.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why bipolar symptoms can sometimes point to an underlying thyroid issue. Sara explains how hypo- and hyperthyroidism can mimic depression, mania, anxiety, and even psychosis – and why skipping a full thyroid panel (including antibodies) can lead to years of misdiagnosis or mistreatment.


The overlooked triad: thyroid autoimmunity, gluten-related disorders, and psychiatric symptoms. We discuss how celiac disease (including serum-negative celiac) can fly under the radar, how gluten exposure has been linked to neuropsychiatric symptoms in some cases, and why “negative antibodies” don’t always mean “not celiac.”


How the “gluten-free junk food” trap can backfire – especially for mood and antibodies. Dr. Wentz shares her own experience of feeling better off gluten… yet more anxious when her blood sugar swings got worse. We’ll unpack why blood sugar balance can be a game-changer for calm, stable energy, and better immune resilience.


Why lithium requires closer monitoring than many patients receive. Why lithium requires thyroid and kidney monitoring (and why it often doesn’t happen), the “prescribing cascade,” and how one missed lab can snowball into multiple medications and side effects.


The postpartum “gray zone”: bipolar vs postpartum thyroiditis vs autoimmune shifts. Sara shares why postpartum psychosis risk skyrockets in people with bipolar disorder, and why postpartum thyroid changes can muddy the clinical picture – making screening and lab literacy critical in pregnancy and postpartum.


Preconception + pregnancy labs aren’t “one-size-fits-all.” Sara explains how pregnancy changes kidney filtration, thyroid physiology, and reference ranges for many markers, and why interpreting labs by trimester (and postpartum) can prevent unnecessary panic and missed issues.

Tune in to learn how to advocate for the right labs, the right monitoring, and the right root-cause approach, especially when mental health symptoms may actually be driven by thyroid, immune, or metabolic imbalances.

Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode!

Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: ⁠https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/⁠ 

For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: ⁠https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/⁠
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In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz explores a surprising perspective on food sensitivities – and why eliminating foods may not actually solve the root problem.

While elimination diets can provide short-term relief for symptoms like bloating, migraines, IBS, and fatigue, Dr. Wentz explains that reacting to multiple foods is often a sign of deeper issues such as gut infections, digestive enzyme deficiencies, microbial imbalances, and intestinal permeability. She shares insights from her own healing journey and outlines the hidden root causes that can drive food sensitivities.

Dr. Wentz also walks through common categories of food reactions – including histamine intolerance, sulfur sensitivity, oxalate issues, and FODMAP reactions – and explains how addressing the underlying gut imbalances can often restore tolerance to many foods.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why food sensitivities are often a symptom – not the root cause – of chronic illness. While elimination diets can temporarily reduce symptoms, reacting to dozens of foods is usually a sign of deeper issues like intestinal permeability, gut infections, or immune dysregulation rather than the foods themselves.


How gut infections like Blastocystis hominis can drive food reactions and IBS symptoms. This common protozoal infection may be present in up to 73 percent of people with IBS (according to various studies) and can trigger sensitivities to foods like sugar, wheat, dairy, and fruit until the infection is properly treated.


The hidden digestive deficiencies that can make healthy foods feel intolerable. Issues like low pancreatic enzymes, bile acid deficiencies, or poor fat digestion can lead to symptoms after eating fatty foods and may indicate the need for digestive support rather than eliminating those foods entirely.


Why reactions to sulfur foods, histamine foods, or FODMAPs often signal metabolic or gut imbalances. Sensitivities to foods like garlic, onions, fermented foods, or cruciferous vegetables may indicate nutrient deficiencies or microbial overgrowth rather than true intolerance.


How oxalate and salicylate sensitivities can develop – and what actually resolves them. These reactions are frequently linked to issues like mold exposure, Candida overgrowth, or nutrient deficiencies, rather than the foods themselves.


The supplements and gut-support strategies that can help restore food tolerance. Supporting digestive enzymes, microbial balance, intestinal lining repair, and nutrient status can help many people gradually reintroduce foods they once reacted to.

Tune in to learn how addressing the root causes of gut dysfunction may help you expand your diet and restore your health.

Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode!

Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 

For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/
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In this solo episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz explains why IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is often a “wastebasket diagnosis” – a label based on symptoms, not causes. Drawing from her personal healing journey and years of clinical experience, she breaks down why most IBS cases have identifiable, treatable root causes, and how a functional medicine approach can lead to lasting resolution.

Dr. Wentz also introduces her new book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a comprehensive guide to uncovering what’s really driving digestive symptoms and addressing them at the source.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion, not a root cause: IBS is diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria based on symptoms alone, without identifying what is driving them. Research suggests that up to 98% of people labeled with IBS have a treatable underlying cause. When you investigate the why behind symptoms, healing becomes possible.


The conditions that are commonly mislabeled as IBS: SIBO, bile acid malabsorption, pancreatic insufficiency, celiac disease, carbohydrate intolerances, infections, and even inflammatory bowel disease can all present as IBS. Each requires a different treatment approach, which is why proper identification matters.


Why the low FODMAP diet is not a long-term solution: Although it may temporarily reduce bloating and discomfort, the low FODMAP diet does not address the underlying cause. Long-term restriction may even reduce microbial diversity and worsen gut health if deeper imbalances are not corrected.


How medications can contribute to digestive symptoms: Proton pump inhibitors, pain relievers, and certain drospirenone-containing birth control pills can alter stomach acid, gut motility, and microbial balance. Medication side effects are often an overlooked contributor to IBS symptoms.


The nutrient deficiencies and infections that drive symptoms: Low magnesium, glutamine, zinc, vitamin D, thiamine, and carnitine can impair digestive function. Pathogens such as Blastocystis hominis and Giardia are also frequently found in people with IBS and may resolve symptoms when properly treated.


Why IBS can precede autoimmune disease: Gut dysfunction can appear 5 to 15 years before a diagnosis such as Hashimoto’s. Addressing IBS early may help calm immune imbalance and reduce the risk of progression.

Tune in to learn how to uncover the true cause of your IBS symptoms and take control of your healing journey.

Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode!

Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 

For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/

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In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. Christy Sutton about iron overload (hemochromatosis) – an underdiagnosed condition that can contribute to fatigue, pain, mood changes, elevated liver enzymes, blood sugar dysregulation, gut issues, hormone imbalances, and even thyroid dysfunction.

Dr. Sutton explains why many people don’t get properly evaluated, how to interpret key iron markers like transferrin/iron saturation alongside ferritin, and the “carrier myth” that can prevent people from getting monitored and treated. She also shares practical strategies that may support healthier iron levels, from therapeutic phlebotomy to diet and targeted nutrients.

Iron overload is incredibly problematic, but so is iron deficiency (low ferritin), which is very common in people with Hashimoto’s. While this episode focuses on excess iron, it’s important to understand that both extremes can contribute to fatigue, hair loss, brain fog, mood changes, and poor thyroid hormone conversion.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why “high ferritin” shouldn’t automatically be brushed off as “just inflammation.” Ferritin can rise with inflammation, but when it is paired with high iron saturation, it may signal true iron overload. Dr. Sutton explains how reviewing a full iron panel, especially transferrin and iron saturation, helps distinguish between inflammation-driven ferritin and excess iron so patients know whether to calm inflammation, remove iron, or both.


The symptom “grab bag” that can point to iron overload. Dr. Sutton walks through how excess iron can affect the liver (fatigue, elevated enzymes), pancreas (insulin resistance/diabetes), brain (brain fog, mood changes), joints (pain), hormones (fertility issues), and gut (IBD/IBS and infections that thrive on iron).


The simple labs that can catch this early (and why many people still don’t get them). A basic iron panel that includes TIBC or UIBC, serum iron, and iron saturation, along with ferritin and a CBC, is often enough to identify a problem. These tests are inexpensive and accessible, yet frequently overlooked. Dr. Sutton explains why iron saturation above 45 percent with elevated ferritin is an important warning sign.


Why women may “fly under the radar” until perimenopause/menopause. Menstruation and pregnancy naturally lower iron stores, which can mask iron overload. Once bleeding stops, iron levels can quietly rise, especially in women with genetic risk. Ongoing monitoring is important (for both women and men).


The “carrier myth” can delay diagnosis. Being told someone is “just a carrier” of a hemochromatosis gene does not mean they are protected. Even one gene can increase risk, and iron overload can develop without classic genetics. Dr. Sutton explains how this misunderstanding can delay diagnosis and treatment.


How to support iron overload beyond blood donation. Therapeutic phlebotomy is only one of many strategies for lowering excess iron. Dr. Sutton discusses dietary adjustments, nutrients that reduce iron absorption such as quercetin and berberine, and iron chelators such as curcumin and alpha-lipoic acid that may help remove iron from tissues and reduce oxidative stress.

Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 

For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/
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In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews Dr. Darshan Shah – physician, former surgeon, and Founder/CEO of Next Health – about the future of longevity and how science is redefining human health span. Dr. Shah shares how he reversed his own metabolic and autoimmune issues, why “health span” matters more than simply living longer, and how to prioritize lifestyle foundations before exploring advanced longevity interventions like peptides, regenerative therapies, and plasma exchange.

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Longevity is really about health span (not just life span). Dr. Shah explains why the next decade is likely to bring major improvements in how long we can stay vibrant – with stable blood sugar, good sleep, strength, and mental clarity – rather than simply “adding years.”


The four lifestyle pillars that move the needle most. Instead of chasing every trend, Dr. Shah focuses on nutrition/metabolic health, movement/exercise, sleep/recovery, and stress/emotional regulation. When these are dialed in, everything else works better – including supplements, hormones, and advanced therapies.


Why metabolic health is the foundation for almost everything. Blood sugar dysregulation isn’t just about diabetes – it impacts cardiovascular health, brain health, infection risk, inflammation, and even cancer risk. Dr. Shah shares how to measure metabolic health (fasting insulin, A1C, CGMs), and why your mirror can’t tell you the whole story.


Sleep tracking can reveal issues years before they become diagnoses. Many people think they sleep “fine,” but their data shows minimal deep sleep and frequent wakeups. Dr. Shah shares simple high-impact strategies (like consistent bedtime, phone out of the bedroom, and sauna), and Dr. Wentz shares how she’s used tracking to discover what promotes deep sleep.


Peptides, stem cells, and regenerative medicine are exciting, but timing matters. Dr. Shah discusses peptides like GLP-1s (which may support immune regulation beyond weight loss), immune-supportive peptides, and collagen-support tools, plus stem cells, exosomes, and what may be coming next in regenerative science.


A true “longevity clinic” should help you get healthy first – not just sell biohacks. Dr. Shah breaks down Next Health’s four-part approach: lifestyle optimization, functional medicine root-cause work, prevention/early detection, and then longevity interventions. It’s about becoming the boss of your biology – guided by data.

Tune in to learn more about boosting your health span, tracking key biomarkers, and choosing longevity tools wisely.

Be sure to subscribe to the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast so you don’t miss an episode! Sign up for the Thyroid Pharmacist Weekly Thyroid Solutions Newsletter here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/gift/ 

For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/
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