Modern Thyroid and Wellness

What if your child received a diagnosis so rare that even many doctors had never heard of it?

This episode of Modern Thyroid & Wellness is deeply personal.

McCall McPherson opens up about her daughter Rosie, her journey to receiving a rare genetic diagnosis, the uncertainty their family has faced, and the community that helped them realize they were no longer navigating it alone.

McCall is joined by Neena Kantaria, loving aunt to Amara and Board Director, Community Engagement & Fundraising at The Yellow Brick Road Project, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families affected by HNRNPH2-related neurodevelopmental disorder, advancing research, raising awareness, and helping move potential treatments forward.

Rosie and Amara both live with HNRNPH2-related neurodevelopmental disorder, an ultra-rare genetic condition that can affect development, speech and language, movement, behavior, and neurological health.

Together, McCall and Neena share the realities of searching for answers, advocating for a child when something does not feel right, navigating developmental changes and seizures, and finding hope through a rare disease community determined to create a better future for their children.

They also explore the research being done around HNRNPH2 and an investigational antisense oligonucleotide, or ASO, therapy that has moved into human clinical study.

In This Episode:

• McCall’s journey to finding answers for Rosie
• Why parental intuition and advocacy matter
• What HNRNPH2-related neurodevelopmental disorder is
• Developmental, speech, motor, and neurological challenges families may experience
• Why genetic testing can provide important answers
• The emotional reality of parenting a child with an ultra-rare condition
• How rare disease communities connect and support families
• Neena’s journey as Amara’s aunt and advocate
• The mission of The Yellow Brick Road Project
• Why natural history research is important
• The challenges of funding research for ultra-rare conditions
• What an ASO is and why researchers are studying this approach
• The investigational HNRNPH2 clinical trial
• Why early research can create hope without guaranteeing outcomes
• Living with fear, uncertainty, gratitude, and joy at the same time
• How listeners can help support HNRNPH2 families and research

About The Yellow Brick Road Project

The Yellow Brick Road Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to fund research, raise awareness, connect families, and advance potential treatments for people affected by HNRNPH2 genetic variants.

In 2024, the first human clinical trial involving an investigational HNRNPH2 ASO began with three patients. The therapy was developed by n-Lorem Foundation and the clinical trial is being administered through Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

The therapy remains investigational and is not an FDA-approved treatment for general use.

Learn More & Support the Mission

The Yellow Brick Road Project

https://YBRP.org

Learn about HNRNPH2, ongoing research, family resources, and opportunities to support the organization.

📖 Pre-Order Take Back Your Thyroid

Pre-order McCall McPherson’s new book, Take Back Your Thyroid, and receive:

🎓 The Thyroid Empowered Course FREE, a $399 value

https://book.modernthyroidclinic.com/

Connect with McCall

Modern Thyroid Clinic:

https://modernthyroidclinic.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mccallmcphersonpa/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_JyQdBAJwYT3rMDsvyriw

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/McCallMcPhersonPAC/

X:

https://x.com/thyroidexpert

This episode shares personal family experiences and discusses an ultra-rare genetic condition and investigational research. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical, genetic, or treatment advice.

What if chronic illness is rarely caused by just one thing?

In this episode of Modern Thyroid & Wellness, McCall McPherson sits down with Dr. Richard Horowitz, board-certified internist and longtime medical director of the Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, to explore a very different way of thinking about chronic disease.

After more than four decades working with complex Lyme and tick-borne illness patients, Dr. Horowitz developed what he calls the MSIDS model, or Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome. His framework looks at multiple overlapping drivers of inflammation rather than assuming one diagnosis has one cause and one treatment.

The conversation also explores his new book, Ending Chronic Illness: A Revolutionary New Program to Reverse Inflammation to Heal Chronic Disease, which brings together decades of clinical experience and research around Lyme disease, long COVID, chronic fatigue, neurological symptoms, immune dysfunction, toxins, gut health, hormones, mitochondrial dysfunction, sleep, and more.

🔑 In This Episode:

• How Dr. Horowitz unexpectedly became immersed in Lyme disease
• Why some patients remain sick after standard treatment
• The origins of his 16-point MSIDS model
• The “six rivers of inflammation”
• Infections and co-infections
• Environmental toxins, mold, and heavy metals
• Gut dysfunction, leaky gut, and mast-cell activation
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Sleep disorders and chronic inflammation
• Mitochondrial dysfunction and energy production
• Hormonal dysregulation and the thyroid-adrenal axis
• Immune dysfunction and autoimmunity
• POTS and autonomic nervous system dysfunction
• Liver health, fatty liver, insulin, and metabolic syndrome
• Neurological and psychological symptoms
• Why Dr. Horowitz believes the one-disease, one-treatment model often falls short in complex chronic illness
• Early signs that may warrant a deeper evaluation
• His approach to Lyme symptom screening and testing
• Genetics, oxidative stress, and inflammatory pathways
• Lifestyle strategies for prevention and longevity
• Diet, exercise, sleep, meditation, gut health, and stress reduction
• His perspective on GLP-1s and inflammation
• Why his new book represents what he calls his life’s work

The Six Rivers of Inflammation

Dr. Horowitz describes six major upstream areas he believes can contribute to chronic inflammation:

1. Infections
2. Environmental toxins
3. Gut microbiome dysfunction
4. Intestinal permeability and mast-cell issues
5. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
6. Sleep disorders

He then connects those upstream factors with downstream effects involving mitochondria, hormones, immune function, the autonomic nervous system, the liver, metabolism, neurological function, and more.

Thyroid, Hormones & Chronic Inflammation

For thyroid patients, one of the most relevant parts of the discussion is Dr. Horowitz’s view that chronic inflammation can influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-hormonal system.

He discusses low testosterone, adrenal dysfunction, autoimmune thyroid antibodies, metabolic syndrome, POTS, and other downstream effects he sees in complex chronic illness.

Lifestyle Still Matters

Despite the complexity of his framework, Dr. Horowitz repeatedly returns to the fundamentals:

• Mediterranean-style nutrition personalized to the individual
• Exercise
• Adequate sleep
• Supporting the microbiome
• Stress reduction and meditation
• Reducing relevant environmental exposures
• Addressing metabolic health

📘 Get Ending Chronic Illness

Ending Chronic Illness: A Revolutionary New Program to Reverse Inflammation to Heal Chronic Disease

By Dr. Richard Horowitz

Available through:

cangetbetter.com

Dr. Horowitz is specifically asking the chronic illness community to purchase the book between November 1 and November 7 to support its bestseller launch.

Connect With Dr. Richard Horowitz

Website:

cangetbetter.com

Substack:

Medical Detective

Facebook:

Dr. Richard Horowitz

📖 Pre-Order Take Back Your Thyroid + Get a Free Bonus

Pre-order McCall McPherson’s new book, Take Back Your Thyroid, and choose one free bonus:

🎓 Thyroid Empowered Course — a $399 value

OR

🩺 $150 off a new patient visit at Modern Thyroid Clinic

https://book.modernthyroidclinic.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

📲 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness

Modern Thyroid Clinic:

https://modernthyroidclinic.com/

McCall McPherson:

https://www.mccallmcpherson.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mccallmcphersonpa/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_JyQdBAJwYT3rMDsvyriw

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/McCallMcPhersonPAC/

X / Twitter:

https://x.com/thyroidexpert

This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. Statements about EWOT, red light therapy, Lyme disease, inflammation, cancer, detoxification, or other health conditions reflect the guest’s personal experience and discussion and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a substitute for individualized medical care.

What if one of the simplest tools for supporting energy and recovery was something your body already depends on every second of the day: oxygen?

In this episode of Modern Thyroid & Wellness, McCall McPherson sits down with Brad Pitzele, founder and CEO of One Thousand Roads, to explore EWOT, Exercise With Oxygen Therapy, and the personal health journey that led Brad to build his own system.

Brad’s story began long before One Thousand Roads. After years of dealing with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, severe pain, fatigue, brain fog, melanoma, and eventually a Lyme disease diagnosis, he found himself trying treatment after treatment without getting the recovery he was looking for. Eventually, a functional medicine doctor suggested he investigate oxygen therapy.

When commercial options felt too expensive and impractical, Brad put his engineering background to work and built his own EWOT system. What started as a personal experiment ultimately became the foundation for One Thousand Roads.

🔑 In This Episode:

• Brad’s journey with autoimmune arthritis, melanoma, Lyme disease, pain, fatigue, and brain fog
• Why conventional treatments eventually left him searching for another path
• How he discovered Exercise With Oxygen Therapy
• What EWOT actually is and how a typical session works
• Why exercise changes the body’s demand for oxygen
• Oxygen, cellular energy, mitochondria, and ATP production
• Brad’s perspective on oxygen, inflammation, and microcirculation
• How he gradually rebuilt his cardiovascular capacity
• Why some people notice improvements in energy, sleep, or exercise tolerance first
• How EWOT can be adapted for people with lower exercise capacity
• Why Brad pairs EWOT with red and near-infrared light
• His typical sequence: exercise with oxygen followed immediately by red light
• Using EWOT at home versus visiting a clinic
• Brad’s personal view on oxygen therapy, recovery, aging, and detoxification

What Is EWOT?

EWOT stands for Exercise With Oxygen Therapy.

Brad describes it as approximately 15 minutes of cardiovascular exercise while breathing concentrated oxygen through a mask. His system uses an oxygen concentrator to fill a reservoir so enough oxygen is available while someone is exercising and breathing at a much higher rate.

Brad says the idea is to combine the physiological changes of exercise, including faster breathing, increased circulation, and greater oxygen demand, with higher oxygen availability.

From Barely Walking to Rebuilding His Capacity

One of the most striking parts of Brad’s story is how limited he had become physically.

At one point, foot pain was so severe that he needed heavily cushioned support simply to exercise. Over time, as his health improved, he says his endurance changed dramatically and he later measured a VO2 max that placed him near the top of his age group.

Brad presents this as his personal experience, not as a guarantee of what EWOT will do for another person.

Why Pair EWOT With Red Light?

Brad also combines EWOT with red and near-infrared light therapy.

His protocol is typically:

15 minutes of EWOT

followed immediately by

8–10 minutes of red light therapy

Brad believes the combination may support mitochondrial energy production by pairing increased oxygen availability with the cellular signaling effects associated with red and near-infrared light.

Connect With Brad Pitzele & One Thousand Roads

Special Listener Offer:

https://www.onethousandroads.com/modern-thyroid

One Thousand Roads:

https://www.onethousandroads.com/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@OneThousandRoadsHQ

Follow Brad Pitzele on Instagram:

http://instagram.com/bradpitzele

Learn More About Exercise With Oxygen Therapy, EWOT:

https://www.onethousandroads.com/pages/exercise-with-oxygen-therapy

Learn More About Red Light Therapy & Infrared Light Therapy:

https://www.onethousandroads.com/pages/red-light-therapy-education

📖 Pre-Order Take Back Your Thyroid + Get a Free Bonus

Pre-order McCall McPherson’s new book, Take Back Your Thyroid, and choose one free bonus:

🎓 Thyroid Empowered Course — a $399 value

OR

🩺 $150 off a new patient visit at Modern Thyroid Clinic

👉 https://book.modernthyroidclinic.com/

📱 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness

Modern Thyroid Clinic:

https://modernthyroidclinic.com/

McCall McPherson:

https://www.mccallmcpherson.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mccallmcphersonpa/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_JyQdBAJwYT3rMDsvyriw

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/McCallMcPhersonPAC/

X / Twitter:

https://x.com/thyroidexpert

This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. Statements about EWOT, red light therapy, Lyme disease, inflammation, cancer, detoxification, or other health conditions reflect the guest’s personal experience and discussion and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a substitute for individualized medical care.

GLP-1 medications have become synonymous with weight loss—but what if their impact on women’s health goes far beyond the number on the scale?

Recorded live at SXSW in Austin, this special panel brings together experts in thyroid and metabolic health, fertility, menopause, and strength training to explore what women should really understand about GLP-1 medications.

Moderated by Dr. Shannon Ritchey, PT, DPT, the conversation features McCall McPherson, PA-C, Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD, and Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD. Together, they discuss appropriate use, microdosing, insulin resistance, inflammation, thyroid disease, PCOS, fertility, perimenopause, menopause, muscle preservation, side effects, long-term use, and the importance of individualized care.

🔑 In This Episode:

• What GLP-1 medications actually do beyond appetite suppression
• Why these medications were first used for diabetes and metabolic health
• Microdosing vs. traditional dosing
• Why individualized dosing may help some women better tolerate treatment
• GLP-1s, thyroid dysfunction, Hashimoto’s, and inflammation
• Separating thyroid-cancer concerns from what the panel says current human evidence shows
• Why adequate calories and protein matter while using a GLP-1
• The importance of preserving and building muscle
• GLP-1s, insulin resistance, PCOS, and fertility
• Why GLP-1 medications are not recommended while actively trying to conceive or during pregnancy
• Perimenopause, menopause, HRT, glucose regulation, and visceral fat
• When GLP-1 use may be short-term vs. longer-term
• Semaglutide, tirzepatide, and individualized prescribing
• DEXA scans, creatine, resistance training, and lean-mass preservation
• Fasting insulin, A1c, leptin, and other metabolic markers
• Sleep, HRV, hydration, and what wearables may reveal
• Food noise, body image, and why appropriate medical screening matters

Fertility, PCOS & GLP-1s

Dr. Natalie Crawford explains that fertility is more than simply the ability to become pregnant—it can also reflect hormonal and metabolic health.

For patients with PCOS and insulin resistance, improving metabolic health may help restore ovulation and support fertility. However, Dr. Crawford emphasizes that GLP-1 medications are not intended to be used while actively trying to conceive or during pregnancy and discusses stopping them before conception under medical guidance.

She also highlights resistance training and skeletal muscle as powerful tools for glucose utilization, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and reproductive health.

Thyroid Health, Inflammation & Microdosing

McCall shares how her approach evolved toward lower, individualized doses after seeing patients struggle with nausea, inadequate nutrition, and difficulty consuming enough protein on standard dosing.

The goal, she explains, is not simply appetite suppression or rapid weight loss. It is finding a dose that allows patients to nourish themselves, preserve muscle, and improve metabolic health while minimizing side effects.

Menopause & Midlife Metabolic Health

Dr. Jessica Shepherd explores how declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone during perimenopause and menopause influence the entire body—not just reproductive health.

The panel discusses the relationship between hormone changes, glucose regulation, insulin, inflammation, visceral fat, joint symptoms, and the potential role GLP-1s may have alongside other individualized midlife interventions.

Protecting Muscle on a GLP-1

Dr. Shannon Ritchey emphasizes that simply “lifting weights” is not always enough to preserve or build muscle.

The panel discusses adequate protein and calories, monitoring body composition, potentially using tools such as DEXA scans, and performing resistance training with enough intensity to stimulate muscle adaptation.

📖 Pre-Order Take Back Your Thyroid + Get a Free Bonus

Pre-order McCall McPherson’s new book, Take Back Your Thyroid, and choose one free bonus:

🎓 Thyroid Empowered Course — a $399 value

OR

🩺 $150 off a new patient visit at Modern Thyroid Clinic

👉 https://book.modernthyroidclinic.com/

Featured Panelists

McCall McPherson, PA-C

Founder, Modern Thyroid Clinic

Thyroid & metabolic health

Dr. Natalie Crawford, MD

Fertility specialist and co-founder of Fora Fertility

Author of The Fertility Formula

Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD

OB-GYN and women’s health expert

Author of Generation M

Dr. Shannon Ritchey, PT, DPT

Founder of Evlo Fitness

Strength training and muscle-preservation expert

📲 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness

Modern Thyroid Clinic:

https://modernthyroidclinic.com/

McCall McPherson:

https://www.mccallmcpherson.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mccallmcphersonpa/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_JyQdBAJwYT3rMDsvyriw

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/McCallMcPhersonPAC/

X / Twitter:

https://x.com/thyroidexpert

This episode is for educational purposes only. GLP-1 medications are prescription medications and treatment decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare professional based on individual history, risks, goals, and current evidence.

What if insulin resistance is quietly driving inflammation, weight gain, and thyroid dysfunction years before blood sugar ever looks abnormal?

In this episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, McCall McPherson sits down with endocrinologist Dr. Alessia Roehnelt for an in-depth conversation about insulin resistance and why it can be such an important marker of long-term metabolic health.

Dr. Roehnelt explains how insulin functions in the body, what happens when insulin resistance develops, and why chronically elevated insulin can contribute to inflammation, weight gain, metabolic dysfunction, and disease progression.

They also explore the bidirectional relationship between insulin resistance and hypothyroidism, including how thyroid dysfunction can worsen metabolic health and how insulin resistance can complicate thyroid function and treatment.

🔑 In This Episode:

• What insulin resistance is and how it develops
• Why insulin resistance may appear before prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
• Common physical and metabolic signs of insulin resistance
• Acanthosis nigricans, carb sensitivity, and rapid weight fluctuations
• The relationship between insulin resistance and hypothyroidism
• How insulin resistance may affect thyroid hormone absorption and conversion
• Why fasting insulin can provide useful information beyond A1c alone
• “Normal” vs. optimal fasting glucose, insulin, and A1c values
• Why population-based lab ranges do not always reflect optimal health
• The role of vitamin D in metabolic and hormonal health
• Fatty liver markers including AST and ALT

🏃‍♀️ Improving Insulin Sensitivity

Dr. Roehnelt and McCall discuss foundational strategies including:

• Consistent, restorative sleep
• Strength and resistance training
• Reducing refined carbohydrates
• Pairing carbohydrates with protein and fat
• Using continuous glucose monitors to better understand personal responses
• Strategic intermittent fasting when appropriate

💊 Medications Discussed

Metformin

• Improves insulin sensitivity
• Has a long history of clinical use
• Can be a cost-effective early intervention

GLP-1 receptor agonists

• Reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying
• Lower liver glucose production
• Improve insulin signaling
• May help reduce inflammation in appropriate patients

🌿 Key Takeaways

Insulin resistance can often be improved when identified early.

“Normal” lab values do not always tell the entire story, and weight gain is far more complex than calories in versus calories out.

One of the biggest themes in this episode is that inflammation connects metabolic dysfunction, thyroid disease, and autoimmunity, making individualized, whole-body evaluation incredibly important.

📖 Pre-Order Take Back Your Thyroid + Get a Free Bonus

Pre-order McCall McPherson’s new book, Take Back Your Thyroid, and choose one free bonus:

🎓 Thyroid Empowered Course — a $399 value

OR

🩺 $150 off a new patient visit at Modern Thyroid Clinic

👉 https://book.modernthyroidclinic.com/

📍 Connect with Dr. Alessia Roehnelt

Website & Practice:

https://www.endohealthdoc.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/endohealthdoc/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/alessia.roehnelt

📲 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness

Modern Thyroid Clinic:

https://modernthyroidclinic.com/

McCall McPherson:

https://www.mccallmcpherson.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mccallmcphersonpa/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_JyQdBAJwYT3rMDsvyriw

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/McCallMcPhersonPAC/

X / Twitter:

https://x.com/thyroidexpert

What if the brain fog, forgetfulness, emotional overwhelm, anxiety, or difficulty getting things done isn’t simply stress—or even your thyroid?

In this episode of Modern Thyroid & Wellness, McCall McPherson, PA-C sits down with Dr. Jolene Brighten, women’s health expert and bestselling author, to explore the often-overlooked connection between ADHD in women, thyroid function, hormones, perimenopause, inflammation, and brain health.

Dr. Brighten explains why so many women reach adulthood without an ADHD diagnosis and why hormonal transitions can suddenly make symptoms that were once manageable feel impossible to ignore.

She also explains an important overlap for thyroid patients: hypothyroidism itself can create ADHD-like symptoms, including brain fog, low mental energy, working-memory problems, changes in neurotransmitter function, and difficulty with executive function.

In This Episode:

• Why ADHD in women is often missed or misdiagnosed
• How female ADHD can look different from stereotypical hyperactivity
• Anxiety, depression, and undiagnosed ADHD
• How hypothyroidism can mimic ADHD symptoms
• Emotional dysregulation, time blindness, and executive dysfunction
• ADHD, Hashimoto’s, PMDD, endometriosis, POTS, histamine issues, and other co-occurring conditions
• Dr. Brighten’s brain-immune-hormone model
• Why puberty, postpartum, birth control, perimenopause, and postmenopause can change ADHD symptoms
• Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, insulin, and brain energy
• Why perimenopause can make ADHD much harder to manage
• Gut health, sleep, exercise, protein, omega-3s, fiber, and polyphenols
• How to work with your healthcare provider instead of trying to DIY everything

ADHD or Hypothyroidism?

One of the most important conversations in this episode is the overlap between ADHD and low thyroid function.

Dr. Brighten explains that hypothyroidism can affect brain energy, memory, attention, neurotransmitters, and executive function. Her approach is to address hypothyroidism first when it could be contributing to new ADHD-like symptoms.

If difficulties with planning, organization, emotional regulation, focus, or executive function persist—especially when similar patterns have existed since childhood—it may be worth investigating another layer.

Why Hormones Matter

Dr. Brighten discusses important hormonal windows when ADHD symptoms may change or become more obvious: puberty, postpartum, the pill, perimenopause, and postmenopause.

During perimenopause in particular, shifts in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, insulin regulation, mitochondrial function, and brain energy may make brain fog, sleep problems, emotional dysregulation, and executive dysfunction more difficult.

📖 AVAILABLE NOW: ADHD and Women

Dr. Brighten’s new book, ADHD and Women: A Guide to Optimizing Your Hormones and Thriving with ADHD, is available now.

The book explores female ADHD through a hormone-focused lens and includes guidance on gut health, sleep, exercise, nutrition, supplements, hormones, quizzes, and a 14-day reset.

👉 https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/

📖 Pre-Order Take Back Your Thyroid + Get a Free Bonus

Pre-order McCall McPherson’s new book, Take Back Your Thyroid, and choose one free bonus:

🎓 Thyroid Empowered Course — a $399 value

OR

🩺 $150 off a new patient visit at Modern Thyroid Clinic

👉 https://book.modernthyroidclinic.com/

Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten

Website:

https://drbrighten.com/

📲 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness

💻 Website: modernthyroidclinic.com

🐦 X / Twitter: @thyroidexpert

🌐 Host Website: mccallmcpherson.com

📺 YouTube: McCall McPherson Channel

📘 Facebook: McCall McPherson PAC

📸 Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa

This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease or replace individualized medical care.

What happens when you’re doing everything “right” for your health but still don’t feel like yourself?

In this episode of Modern Thyroid & Wellness, McCall McPherson sits down with Nicole Peterson Doran, co-founder of PUR-FORM, Humanaut Health franchisee, and host of The Healthspan Collective Podcast, to talk about her decades-long journey through PCOS, hypothyroidism, inflammation, fertility concerns, long COVID, mast cell activation symptoms, and ultimately finding a more personalized approach to health.

Nicole’s story began at just 16 years old when she rapidly gained weight, developed facial hair, experienced irregular periods, severe fatigue, and intense brain fog. She was diagnosed with PCOS and later hypothyroidism, but traditional treatment did little to resolve how she actually felt.

That experience eventually led her into integrative medicine, whole-food nutrition, mindfulness, and the concept of bio-individuality—the idea that what works for one person may not work for another.

In This Episode:

• Nicole’s experience with PCOS and hypothyroidism beginning in her teens
• Why whole foods and lifestyle changes became a turning point
• The importance of bio-individuality in thyroid and hormone health
• Why there is no single “best” diet, medication, or wellness plan for everyone
• How Nicole prepared her body for pregnancy after years of PCOS
• The supplements and lifestyle changes she personally used while preparing for fertility
• Her long-COVID journey and mast cell activation symptoms
• Her personal experience with microdosed tirzepatide
• Thymosin alpha-1 and larazotide
• Why gut health became an important piece of her recovery
• What EBO2 is and how PUR-FORM uses regenerative therapies
• The evolution from struggling patient to health entrepreneur

Fertility After PCOS

Nicole shares how being told as a teenager that getting pregnant could be difficult stayed with her for years.

When she decided she wanted to conceive, she worked intentionally with her practitioners, focused on reducing inflammation, prioritized rest, limited travel, reduced alcohol and sugar, and used supplements including CoQ10 and fish oil.

She became pregnant after approximately three months, while emphasizing that fertility is deeply individual and there is still an element of uncertainty that cannot always be controlled.

Long COVID, MCAS & Finding New Tools

After COVID, Nicole experienced months of intense histamine-type symptoms, inflammation, brain fog, irritability, and weight changes.

She describes working with practitioners and personally using several tools during her recovery, including microdosed tirzepatide, thymosin alpha-1, larazotide, nutritional support, and regenerative therapies. These are shared as Nicole’s personal experience and are not recommendations for every listener.

About Nicole Peterson Doran

Nicole Peterson Doran is a co-founder of PUR-FORM, a comprehensive health optimization clinic in Boca Raton, Florida. She is also involved with Humanaut Health and hosts The Healthspan Collective Podcast.

Her work focuses on personalized health, metabolic and hormonal wellness, regenerative medicine, and helping people find answers when conventional approaches have not been enough.

Connect with Nicole

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/nicolejdoran/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejpeterson/

PUR-FORM:

https://purformhealth.com/

Humanaut Health:

https://humanauthealth.com/

This episode is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice.

📖 Pre-Order Take Back Your Thyroid + Get a Free Bonus

Pre-order McCall McPherson’s new book, Take Back Your Thyroid, and choose one free bonus:

🎓 Thyroid Empowered Course, a $399 value

OR

🩺 $150 off a new patient visit at Modern Thyroid Clinic

Pre-Order & Claim Your Free Bonus

📲 Follow McCall McPherson & Modern Thyroid and Wellness

💻 Website: modernthyroidclinic.com

🐦 X / Twitter: @thyroidexpert

🌐 Host Website: mccallmcpherson.com

📺 YouTube: McCall McPherson Channel

📘 Facebook: McCall McPherson PAC

📸 Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa

In this episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, McCall McPherson, PA-C sits down with thyroid health expert and bestselling author Elle Russ to discuss why so many people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s continue experiencing symptoms even while taking thyroid medication—and what may be missing from conventional thyroid treatment.

They break down the limitations of relying on TSH alone, the difference between “normal” thyroid labs and actually feeling well, and why thyroid treatment may need to consider the bigger picture, including T4, T3, reverse T3, medication type, dosage, timing, symptoms, and the individual patient.

If you’ve ever been told your thyroid labs are normal while you still struggle with fatigue, brain fog, stubborn weight gain, mood changes, high cholesterol, fertility concerns, or other hypothyroid symptoms, this conversation will help you better understand the questions to ask about your thyroid care.

📖 PRE-ORDER TAKE BACK YOUR THYROID

McCall McPherson’s new book, Take Back Your Thyroid, is the science-based guide for people who are tired of being told everything looks “normal” when they still don’t feel well.

Pre-order the hardcover and receive the Thyroid Empowered Course ($399 value) FREE with your pre-order.

👉 Pre-order here:

https://book.modernthyroidclinic.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=take_back_your_thyroid_preorder&utm_content=episode_62_elle_russ

🔑 IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why you may still have hypothyroid symptoms while taking thyroid medication
• Why relying only on TSH can leave important information out of the picture
• “Normal” thyroid lab ranges vs. optimal thyroid function
• T4, T3, reverse T3, and thyroid hormone conversion
• T4-only medication vs. combination thyroid therapy
• Natural desiccated thyroid vs. synthetic thyroid hormones
• How medication dose and timing can affect thyroid treatment
• The connection between thyroid dysfunction, fatigue, weight, mood, cholesterol, and fertility
• Common misconceptions about thyroid hormone replacement
• Why understanding your own thyroid labs matters
• How to become a more informed advocate for your thyroid health

👩‍⚕️ ABOUT ELLE RUSS

Elle Russ is a bestselling author, thyroid health educator, and advocate.

After experiencing years of hypothyroidism, misdiagnosis, and unsuccessful treatment herself, she became dedicated to helping others better understand thyroid health and advocate for more individualized care.

She is the author of The Paleo Thyroid Solution and creator of The Ultimate Thyroid Course.

🔗 ELLE RUSS RESOURCES

Website:

https://elleruss.com

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🌐 ABOUT MODERN THYROID CLINIC

Modern Thyroid Clinic specializes in helping patients understand and address persistent thyroid symptoms through individualized, comprehensive thyroid care.

https://www.modernthyroidclinic.com

Subscribe for weekly conversations about thyroid health, Hashimoto’s, hypothyroidism, hormones, metabolism, functional medicine, women’s health, and longevity.

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or replace individualized medical advice from your healthcare provider.

#Hypothyroidism #Hashimotos #ThyroidHealth #ThyroidMedication #WomensHealth

Could a simple neck self-check help you notice a thyroid concern earlier?

September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, and in this episode of Modern Thyroid & Wellness, McCall McPherson sits down with Dr. Rashmi Roy, a fellowship-trained, board-certified endocrine surgeon specializing in thyroid and parathyroid disorders.

Dr. Roy practices at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery in Tampa and has performed thousands of thyroid and parathyroid procedures. Together, McCall and Dr. Roy have an important conversation about thyroid cancer risk, early detection, diagnosis, thyroid nodules, surgery, Hashimoto’s, and how patients can make more informed decisions about their thyroid health.

They discuss how to perform a neck self-check, potential signs and risk factors to be aware of, and when thyroid ultrasound or additional evaluation may be appropriate.

Dr. Roy also explains what patients should know before thyroid surgery, including common misconceptions, potential complications, and why the experience of your thyroid surgeon can matter when evaluating surgical options.

The conversation also explores Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, its relationship to overall thyroid health and thyroid cancer risk, evolving approaches to treatment and post-surgical management, and why learning to ask better questions can help you become a stronger advocate for your own care.

Whether you are navigating a thyroid nodule, Hashimoto’s, a possible thyroid cancer diagnosis, or an upcoming thyroid surgery, this episode offers practical information to help you approach the next step with greater clarity.

🔑 In This Episode:

• How to perform a neck self-check
• Signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with thyroid cancer
• When thyroid ultrasound or additional screening may be considered
• What patients should know about thyroid nodules
• Why surgeon experience matters when choosing a thyroid surgeon
• Common myths about thyroid surgery
• Potential risks and complications of thyroid surgery
• Hashimoto’s and its relationship to thyroid health and thyroid cancer risk
• New and emerging approaches to treatment and post-surgical management
• How to advocate for yourself and ask better questions about your care

👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Rashmi Roy

Dr. Rashmi Roy is a fellowship-trained, board-certified endocrine surgeon specializing in thyroid and parathyroid disorders. She practices at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery in Tampa and has performed thousands of thyroid and parathyroid procedures.

Her extensive surgical experience gives her a valuable perspective on thyroid cancer diagnosis, surgical decision-making, potential complications, and what patients should consider when selecting a thyroid surgeon.

If you know someone navigating thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, Hashimoto’s, or an upcoming thyroid surgery, share this episode with them during Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month.

📘 Pre-Order Take Back Your Thyroid

McCall McPherson’s new book, Take Back Your Thyroid, is available for pre-order now.

Pre-order and receive FREE access to the Thyroid Empowered Course — a $399 value.

👉 Pre-order here:

https://book.modernthyroidclinic.com/

📲 Connect with McCall & Modern Thyroid Clinic

McCall McPherson, PA-C

Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa

https://www.instagram.com/mccallmcphersonpa/

Modern Thyroid Clinic

Instagram: @modernthyroid

https://www.instagram.com/modernthyroid/

Learn more about Modern Thyroid Clinic:

https://www.modernthyroidclinic.com/

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace individualized medical care.

#ThyroidCancerAwarenessMonth #ThyroidCancer #ThyroidHealth #ThyroidCancerAwareness #ThyroidSurgery #ThyroidNodules #Hashimotos #HashimotosDisease #Hypothyroidism #ThyroidDisease #EndocrineHealth #WomensHealth #ModernThyroidClinic #McCallMcPherson #TakeBackYourThyroid

What if thyroid dysfunction isn’t always an isolated thyroid problem, but a signal that the cells throughout your body are under too much stress?

In this episode of Modern Thyroid & Wellness, McCall McPherson sits down with Dr. Bill Rawls, physician, bestselling author, and co-founder of Vital Plan, for a fascinating conversation about cellular health, chronic illness, autophagy, microbes, stress, thyroid function, and the role herbs may play in supporting resilience.

Dr. Rawls’ perspective grew out of his own health crisis. After years of intense work and inadequate sleep as an OB-GYN, his health deteriorated dramatically. He experienced fatigue, neurological symptoms, joint problems, cardiac symptoms, and eventually discovered evidence of Lyme disease. After conventional approaches failed to restore his health, his experience with herbal therapy led him into decades of research on chronic illness and cellular wellness.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why Dr. Rawls views cellular stress as a common thread in chronic illness
• Five major categories that can stress our cells
• Why nutrition, environmental toxins, sleep, movement, and microbes matter
• What autophagy is and why cellular repair is essential
• How fasting, exercise, and stress can influence autophagy
• The relationship between thyroid hormone and cellular metabolism
• Why Dr. Rawls views thyroid dysfunction as a possible signal of broader cellular stress
• His hypothesis about microbes, thyroid cells, and Hashimoto’s
• How chronic psychological stress and cortisol affect cellular recovery
• Why whole foods, plant diversity, sleep, movement, and reducing toxic exposures form the foundation of his approach
• How adaptogenic herbs may support cellular resilience
• Ashwagandha, rhodiola, reishi, cordyceps, Japanese knotweed, Chinese skullcap, dandelion, and milk thistle
• Why herbs became central to Dr. Rawls’ approach to chronic illness

The Five Drivers of Cellular Stress

Dr. Rawls encourages listeners to zoom out from individual diagnoses and look at the health of the cells themselves.

He organizes common sources of cellular stress into five broad areas: inadequate nutrition, toxic exposures, insufficient recovery and sleep, physical stress or inactivity, and microbes.

His goal is not simply to suppress symptoms, but to create an internal environment that gives cells the resources and recovery time they need to function well.

Autophagy: Your Cells’ Recycling and Repair System

A major part of the conversation focuses on autophagy, the ongoing process cells use to recycle damaged components and maintain themselves.

Dr. Rawls explains how fasting, movement, and other mild stressors may stimulate this process, while excessive stress can become counterproductive. He emphasizes balance between stress and recovery, rather than believing that more fasting or harder exercise is always better.

What Does This Mean for Thyroid Health?

Dr. Rawls describes thyroid hormone as an important metabolic signal that helps cells produce and use energy.

His central argument is that when cells are chronically stressed, thyroid function may become part of that larger picture. Rather than viewing fatigue or thyroid dysfunction completely in isolation, he encourages looking at sleep, nutrition, stress, environmental exposures, movement, and overall cellular health.

Connect with Dr. Bill Rawls

🌿 Dr. Bill Rawls at RawlsMD

📖 The Cellular Wellness Solution

📖 Unlocking Lyme

🌱 Explore Vital Plan

RESTORE180™

Dr. Rawls also shares RESTORE180, Vital Plan’s six-month program for people navigating complex chronic illness. The program progresses through stress regulation, gut and detoxification support, and concentrated botanical formulations.

Learn More About RESTORE180

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