15: A Modern Approach to Thyroid Weight Loss

Struggling to lose weight even though you’ve resolved your other thyroid symptoms? 

Many people, especially women, with thyroid issues or Hashimoto’s, find weight loss one of the most challenging thyroid symptoms to tackle — even when they are able to resolve other common symptoms like hair loss, brain fog, energy levels, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances.   

In this episode, Dr. Izabella Wentz speaks with McCall McPherson, a pioneering physician associate and specialist in thyroid, hormone, and metabolic health.  

Tune into this informative conversation to learn about: 

• Many thyroid patients remain symptomatic on T4-only medications like levothyroxine due to poor conversion to active T3 — caused by stress, nutrient deficiencies, or genetics.
• Subclinical hypothyroidism is often just early-stage hypothyroidism — waiting to treat it delays healing and impacts quality of life.
• T3-containing medications like Cytomel or Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) can dramatically improve symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and depression.
• GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide), when microdosed and paired with lifestyle support, help thyroid patients lose weight and heal underlying metabolic dysfunction.
• These medications may also reduce inflammation and Hashimoto’s antibodies when used appropriately
• Studies do not show increased thyroid cancer risk from GLP-1s in humans; concerns stem from outdated rat studies using mega-doses.
• Success with GLP-1s depends on personalized, low dosing, strength training, proper nutrition, and lab monitoring — not just taking a shot and hoping for the best.

If you’ve been struggling to lose weight and would like to learn more about the pros and cons of weight loss medications, give this episode a listen.

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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/