In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd dives into one of the most overlooked pieces of the Hashimoto’s puzzle—adrenal function.

If you wake up exhausted, crash mid-day, or find yourself wired at night and unable to sleep, your adrenals may be at the root of it.

Dr. Emily breaks down how your adrenal glands—those two small but powerful glands above your kidneys—regulate your stress response, blood sugar, inflammation, and energy levels. When cortisol and DHEA become imbalanced, it can directly affect thyroid hormone conversion, slow metabolism, increase inflammation, and worsen autoimmune flare-ups.

You’ll learn how to test your adrenal function properly, what lab clues point to dysfunction, and the exact strategies Dr. Emily uses with her 1:1 clients to help women rebuild energy, improve sleep, and finally feel like themselves again.

If your thyroid labs look “fine” but you still feel awful, this episode will help you uncover the deeper layers of your healing journey.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What your adrenal glands actually do—and why they matter for thyroid health
• How cortisol, DHEA, aldosterone, and adrenaline impact your energy and mood
• Common signs of adrenal dysfunction in women with Hashimoto’s
• The right way to test cortisol levels (and why a single blood draw isn’t enough)
• How high cortisol blocks T4 to T3 conversion and raises reverse T3
• Why eating breakfast within the first hour of waking is critical for hormone balance
• The “adrenal–thyroid–immune trifecta” and how stress drives flare-ups
• Simple steps to support your adrenals through nutrition, exercise, and nervous system regulation

Highlights:

00:37 Understanding Adrenal Function

01:03 Hormones Produced by Adrenals

02:04 Adrenal Dysfunction Symptoms

02:34 Testing Adrenal Function

04:27 Cortisol and Its Impact on Thyroid

06:13 Adrenal Dysfunction and Gut Health

08:50 Managing Adrenal Dysfunction

10:58 How To Get Support

Links & Resources

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