The Nourish to Thrive Podcast

30. Your Thyroid is The Victim


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If you’ve been told your thyroid is “sluggish,” “normal,” or “just part of aging,” yet you still feel exhausted, inflamed, and stuck…this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, Tanya breaks down a truth most women are never taught:

The thyroid doesn’t lead...it responds.

More often than not, thyroid symptoms aren’t caused by a failing gland, but by the signal it’s receiving from the nervous system, stress response, and cortisol rhythm.

This episode reframes thyroid health through a functional, faith-rooted lens and explains why medication alone doesn’t always resolve symptoms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why the thyroid is rarely the root cause of symptoms
  • How stress, cortisol, and the nervous system control thyroid output
  • Why both high and low cortisol can block thyroid hormone conversion
  • What it means when medication helps “a little, but not enough”
  • Common lab patterns that point to a missing signal (low T3, high reverse T3, fluctuating symptoms)
  • Why your body may be slowing things down to protect you
  • How to support thyroid healing by restoring safety, rhythm, and nourishment
  • When medication can be helpful as part of the healing process — not a failure

Practical support discussed in this episode:

Tanya also shares two tools she personally uses and recommends as adjunct support for nervous system regulation and circadian rhythm...both of which play a role in thyroid signaling.

  • LumeBox (Near-Infrared Light Therapy)
    Used as a targeted, supportive tool to help reduce inflammation and support cellular signaling.
    🔗 [Click here for a discount on the LumeBox]


  • Luminette 3 Light Therapy Glasses
    A simple way to support morning light exposure, circadian rhythm, and cortisol timing...especially helpful during darker winter months.
    🔗 [Click here for the Luminette 3 Light Therapy GlassesIf discount does not auto populate, enter code: TANYAPENNINGTONMILLER15
Note: Tanya emphasizes the importance of using reputable devices and understanding the difference between near-infrared (NIR) and far-infrared (FIR) light when it comes to reaching deeper tissues.

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ROOTED IN FAITH. BACKED BY SCIENCE.

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The Nourish to Thrive PodcastBy Tanya Pennington-Miller, MS