Thyroid Strong

In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd unpacks another major gut disruptor for women with Hashimoto’s—SIFO, or Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth.

If you’ve treated SIBO multiple times and your bloating, fatigue, or brain fog keep returning, it may not be bacterial—it could be fungal. Dr. Emily explains what SIFO is, how it mimics SIBO, and why it often appears after bacterial overgrowth protocols.

You’ll learn how low thyroid function, low stomach acid, sluggish bile flow, stress, and antibiotic use all create the perfect environment for yeast to thrive. Dr. Emily walks through how to test, treat, and rebuild your gut to eliminate fungal overgrowth for good—without getting stuck in restrictive diets or endless antifungal cycles.

This episode gives you a complete roadmap to starve, kill, and rebuild from SIFO—while bringing your nervous system on board so your gut can truly heal.

✔️ What SIFO is and how it differs from SIBO

✔️ Why fungal overgrowth often develops after SIBO treatment

✔️ How low thyroid, low stomach acid, and sluggish bile flow trigger yeast overgrowth

✔️ The best functional tests for identifying SIFO (GI-MAP, OAT, and more)

✔️ The 3 healing phases: Starve, Kill, and Rebuild

✔️ How to use antifungal herbs and binders without feeling worse

✔️ Why nervous system regulation is the missing piece in gut recovery

✔️ The biggest mistakes women make when treating SIFO

00:31 Recap of Last Week's Episode on SIBO

01:00 Introduction to SIFO: Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth

01:29 Symptoms and Causes of SIFO

04:15 Testing for SIFO

05:12 Three-Phase Treatment Plan for SIFO

07:16 Nervous System Regulation and SIFO

09:17 Common Mistakes and Final Advice

10:10 Your Next Steps

Links & Resources

👉 Free Gut Masterclass: Learn how six of Dr. Emily’s clients healed their gut, lowered antibodies, and lost up to 40 pounds — Check the masterclass

 Apply for 1:1 Root Cause Functional Medicine Coaching

👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd

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In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd dives deep into one of the most common yet overlooked gut issues for women with Hashimoto’s—SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.

If you’re eating clean, tracking your macros, working out regularly, and still ending the day looking six months pregnant, this episode is for you.

Dr. Emily breaks down exactly what SIBO is, why it’s so common in women with thyroid issues, and how to properly test for all three types of gas—hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide. You’ll learn how to use the GI-MAP to spot clues, how low thyroid function and stress set the stage for SIBO, and why nervous system regulation is often the missing link for lasting gut healing.

You’ll walk away knowing how to test (not guess), treat SIBO in phases, and finally reclaim your gut health and energy.

✔️ What SIBO is and why it’s common in women with Hashimoto’s

✔️ How sluggish digestion, low stomach acid, and chronic stress trigger bacterial overgrowth

✔️ The 3 types of SIBO gases—and why you must test for all three

✔️ How to interpret “SIBO-suggestive” patterns in your GI-MAP results

✔️ The 3 healing phases: Kill, Repair, and Rebuild

✔️ Why regulating your nervous system is key to long-term gut healing

✔️ The biggest mistakes women make when treating SIBO

✔️ How to tell if your issue is actually SIFO (small intestinal fungal overgrowth)

00:26 Understanding SIBO and Its Impact on Women with Hashimoto's

02:18 Symptoms and Diagnosis of SIBO

03:21 Types of SIBO Gases and Testing Methods

06:50 Treatment Phases for SIBO

08:26 Nervous System Regulation and Gut Health

10:17 Common Mistakes and Final Thoughts on SIBO

11:34 Introduction to SIFO and Upcoming Topic

Links & Resources

👉 Free Gut Masterclass: Learn how six of Dr. Emily’s clients healed their gut, lowered antibodies, and lost up to 40 pounds — Check the masterclass

 Apply for 1:1 Root Cause Functional Medicine Coaching

👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd

Link between SIBO and hypothyroidism: PMID: 24944923

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In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd sits down with Christina, a yoga and meditation teacher whose health and energy completely collapsed despite “normal” thyroid labs. What began as daily fatigue, brain fog, and joint pain turned into a journey of discovery, uncovering that the true root cause wasn’t her thyroid alone, but hidden mold exposure in her home.

Christina shares how she went from needing daily naps and months off work to leading a weekend-long women’s retreat and teaching yoga again with renewed energy and joy. Through addressing mold toxicity, supporting drainage and detox pathways, regulating her nervous system, and rebuilding strength through weight training, Christina reclaimed her vitality and purpose.

Her story is a powerful reminder that healing from Hashimoto’s goes beyond medication—it’s about finding and addressing the deeper root causes, trusting your body’s wisdom, and taking courageous, consistent action.

If you’ve ever felt like your labs look good but you still don’t feel like yourself, this episode will give you hope that full recovery is possible.

• Christina’s early Hashimoto’s symptoms and what finally pushed her to seek deeper answers
• The hidden impact of mold exposure and how moving homes changed everything
• Why “normal” thyroid labs don’t always mean true healing
• How nervous system regulation supports recovery from mold and autoimmunity
• The supplements and drainage protocols that helped her detox safely
• The emotional side of healing—trusting the process and staying out of “freeze”
• How strength training restored her confidence and energy
• Why addressing root cause allows women with Hashimoto’s to thrive again

00:16 Christina's Health Journey Before Diagnosis

01:05 Discovering Hashimoto's and Initial Struggles

02:47 The Mold Exposure Revelation

03:21 The Decision to Move and Its Impact

05:12 A Remarkable Recovery and Leading a Retreat

06:12 The Power of Mind and Body Healing

09:56 Incorporating Weight Lifting into Recovery

12:03 Returning to Teaching Yoga

13:12 Advice for Others and Final Thoughts

Links & Resources

Apply for 1:1 Root Cause Functional Medicine Coaching

👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd

Learn my secret to sustainable weight loss for Hashimoto’s.

👉 Join Thyroid Strong Elite: 6-Month Group Coaching

Follow Dr. Emily Kiberd & Thyroid Strong:

 📘 Facebook: Thyroid Strong  

📷 Instagram: @thyroid.strong

🎵 TikTok: Thyroid Strong

In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd dives into one of her favorite functional medicine topics—how the changing seasons impact your thyroid, adrenals, and overall energy.

As fall arrives, many women with Hashimoto’s feel an initial burst of motivation… followed by a quick crash. The cooler weather, shorter days, and busier routines can all affect hormone balance and energy output. Dr. Emily explains what’s happening under the hood—from changes in thyroid hormone conversion to shifts in cortisol rhythm—and how to adapt your workouts, nutrition, and lifestyle to stay strong through the season.

You’ll learn why your metabolism might feel slower in colder weather, how to prevent seasonal burnout, and the best workout and food strategies to build resilience instead of exhaustion.

If you’ve ever felt that fall “push” turn into fatigue or flare-ups, this episode will show you how to align your body with the season—not fight against it.

✔️ How fall weather and shorter days affect your thyroid and adrenal rhythm

✔️ Why TSH can rise and T3 conversion may drop in colder months

✔️ Common Hashimoto’s symptoms that flare during fall (fatigue, dryness, mood dips, joint pain)

✔️ How to adapt your workouts—3 lifting days, less HIIT, more recovery

✔️ Why shorter, heavier workouts build resilience better than long, high-volume sessions

✔️ The importance of morning sunlight and circadian rhythm support

✔️ How to eat for the season—warm, cooked foods, root veggies, healthy fats, and protein

✔️ How Dr. Emily adjusts client protocols based on labs and seasonal adrenal capacity

00:14 Seasonal Effects on Thyroid and Adrenals

03:26 Common Hashimoto's Symptoms in Fall

04:13 Adjusting Workouts for Fall

05:07 Nutrition and Lifestyle Tweaks for Fall

06:42 Supporting Clients in Fall

07:53 Your Next Steps

Links & Resources

Apply for 1:1 Root Cause Functional Medicine Coaching

👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd

Learn my secret to sustainable weight loss for Hashimoto’s.

👉 Join Thyroid Strong Elite: 6-Month Group Coaching

Follow Dr. Emily Kiberd & Thyroid Strong:

 📘 Facebook: Thyroid Strong  

📷 Instagram: @thyroid.strong

🎵 TikTok: Thyroid Strong

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 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

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

Apply for 1:1 Root Cause Functional Medicine Coaching

👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd

Learn my secret to sustainable weight loss for Hashimoto’s.

👉 Join Thyroid Strong Elite: 6-Month Group Coaching

Follow Dr. Emily Kiberd & Thyroid Strong:

 📘 Facebook: Thyroid Strong  

📷 Instagram: @thyroid.strong

🎵 TikTok: Thyroid Strong

In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd is joined by Jackie Ulm, a former Olympian and lifelong athlete, to talk about training hard with Hashimoto’s—and why strength training may be the key to thriving with an autoimmune condition.

Jackie shares her journey from competing in the 2004 Athens Olympics in the hammer throw to being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in 2008, and how she’s learned to manage symptoms through nutrition, medication, supplementation, and consistent training. From weightlifting to road cycling, Jackie shows that women with Hashimoto’s don’t need to shrink back from exercise, they just need the right approach.

You’ll hear how she balances medication, gluten and dairy-free living, sleep optimisation, and recovery practices to keep her energy and performance high, plus her perspective on why strength training helps women not only feel physically strong but also handle life’s inevitable stresses with more resilience.

If you’ve ever felt hesitant to lift weights because of your Hashimoto’s diagnosis, this episode is a must-listen. Jackie’s story is both inspiring and practical—reminding us that strength and autoimmune disease can co-exist, and that consistency is often more important than perfection.

• Jackie’s path from high school athlete to Olympian in the hammer throw
• Her Hashimoto’s diagnosis in 2008 and the surprising reaction from her naturopath
• Why gluten and dairy removal made a major difference in her symptoms
• How she combines T3/T4 medication with supplements for long-term management
• What zone 2 training is and why she integrates it with lifting
• The role of sleep, recovery, and smart nutrition in keeping symptoms at bay
• Why strength training helps women show up to stress differently
• Practical advice for women starting their weightlifting journey
• 
  

00:00 Introduction and Athletic Background

01:24 Olympic Journey and Hashimoto's Diagnosis

03:18 Managing Hashimoto's with Diet and Exercise

11:15 Fitness Routine and Training Philosophy

14:27 Recovery and Sleep Strategies

21:40 Empowering Women Through Weightlifting

23:29 Building Consistency in Fitness

25:22 Managing Hashimoto's and Mental Clarity

27:34 Stress Management and Weightlifting

30:52 Post-Workout Routines and Dietary Adjustments

33:47 Effective Upper Body Workouts

37:58 Dealing with Soreness and Injury

42:39 Starting with CrossFit and Finding Good Coaching

44:34 The Olympic Experience

46:32 Encouragement for Women to Start Weightlifting

Links & Resources

Apply for 1:1 Root Cause Functional Medicine Coaching

👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd

Learn my secret to sustainable weight loss for Hashimoto’s.

👉 Join Thyroid Strong Elite: 6-Month Group Coaching

Follow Dr. Emily Kiberd & Thyroid Strong:

 📘 Facebook: Thyroid Strong  

📷 Instagram: @thyroid.strong

🎵 TikTok: Thyroid Strong

In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd explores why elimination diets may no longer be serving you if you’re still bloated, fatigued, or inflamed—despite cutting out all the “trigger” foods. While elimination diets can be a powerful temporary tool to reduce inflammation, most women with Hashimoto’s get stuck in restriction mode and never move into the key next phase: reintroduction.

Emily breaks down the truth about why food isn’t always the problem and how your digestion, nervous system, and chewing habits may be keeping you stuck. You’ll learn why nervous system regulation before meals is just as important as what’s on your plate, and practical steps to finally start absorbing your nutrients, calming symptoms, and reclaiming food freedom.

If you’ve plateaued in your weight loss or symptom relief, or feel anxious and restricted around food, this episode will show you how to move beyond endless elimination and start rebuilding strong digestion from the top down.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why elimination diets are only meant to be temporary
• The key role of the reintroduction phase (and why most people skip it)
• Signs your elimination diet is no longer serving you
• How digestion starts in the brain: the north-to-south process explained
• Why nervous system regulation is essential before eating
• Three simple practices to shift into “rest and digest” mode before meals
• How poor chewing habits lead to bloating and malabsorption
• Practical strategies to support stomach acid, enzymes, and reintroduction safely

Highlights:

00:28 The Problem with Elimination Diets

02:19 Understanding Digestion: The North to South Process

03:54 The Importance of a Calm Nervous System for Digestion

04:51 Practical Tips for Better Digestion

06:03 Beyond Elimination Diets: A New Strategy

07:13 How to Get Support Through 1:1 Functional Medicine Coaching

Links & Resources

Apply for 1:1 Root Cause Functional Medicine Coaching

👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd

Learn my secret to sustainable weight loss for Hashimoto’s.

👉 Join Thyroid Strong Elite: 6-Month Group Coaching

Follow Dr. Emily Kiberd & Thyroid Strong:

 📘 Facebook: Thyroid Strong  

📷 Instagram: @thyroid.strong

🎵 TikTok: Thyroid Strong

In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd tackles one of the most overlooked but surprisingly common root causes she sees in her one-on-one clients: parasites.

While often considered taboo to talk about in the U.S., parasites like giardia, hookworm, roundworm, and blastocystis hominis are not just something you pick up while traveling abroad. They are far more common — even in developed countries — and can silently drain your energy, inflame your gut, block nutrient absorption, and prevent you from building muscle, regardless of how clean you eat or how heavy you lift.

Dr. Emily explains the hidden ways parasites sneak into our bodies, why women with Hashimoto’s are particularly vulnerable, and how infections can mimic or trigger thyroid flares. She also shares the advanced testing she uses beyond the standard GI Map to identify what’s really going on, so her clients can stop guessing and start healing.

If you’ve been hitting the gym, eating protein, and still feel bloated, foggy, and stuck in a body that won’t respond,  this episode may reveal the missing link.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why parasites are massively underdiagnosed in the U.S.
• Common exposures that increase parasite risk (pets, produce, nail-biting, undercooked meat, barefoot walking)
• How parasites block protein absorption and muscle building
• Signs parasites may be silently draining your energy
• Why parasites can trigger thyroid flares through leaky gut and molecular mimicry
• The lab markers that point to parasites (eosinophils, low ferritin, low B12)
• The differences between GI Map testing and microscopy stool tests
• Why personalized functional medicine is essential for parasite treatment

Highlights:

00:26 The hidden threat of parasites

01:56 Common ways you can get  parasites

04:48 Impact of parasites on muscle and protein absorption

08:35 Parasites and thyroid health

09:28 Testing for parasites

13:11 How to get support through 1:1 functional medicine coaching

Links & Resources

Apply for 1:1 Thyroid Strong Functional Medicine Coaching Here:

👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd

Learn my secret to sustainable weight loss for Hashimoto’s.

👉 Join Thyroid Strong Elite: 6-Month Group Coaching

Follow Dr. Emily Kiberd & Thyroid Strong:

 📘 Facebook: Thyroid Strong  

📷 Instagram: @thyroid.strong

🎵 TikTok: Thyroid Strong

In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd tackles one of the most common questions she hears: “Should I be taking a probiotic?” While probiotics are trendy and heavily marketed, they are not a universal fix and in some cases, like SIBO, they can make symptoms worse.

Dr. Emily unpacks the latest research, when probiotics may help, and when they can backfire, especially for women with Hashimoto’s struggling with bloating, gas, histamine reactions, or constipation. She also shares why stool testing with the GI Map is a game changer for tailoring the right probiotic strains (if any) instead of guessing at the supplement aisle.

If you’ve been reaching for probiotics but still feel brain foggy, bloated, or stuck, this episode will help you understand why and what to do next.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why probiotics are not a cure-all and can sometimes worsen symptoms
• How probiotics may flare SIBO and histamine reactions
• Why many probiotic strains don’t survive stomach acid or bile
• The risks of long-term, high-dose probiotic use
• Which probiotic strains may help in specific cases like antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• The connection between probiotics, SIBO, and IBS
• How the GI Map stool test moves you from guessing to clarity
• Why personalized gut healing is key for Hashimoto’s

Highlights:

00:00 Why probiotics aren’t a universal fix

01:26 Probiotics and SIBO: A Cautionary Tale

02:22 Timelines and Limitations of Probiotics

03:28 The GI Map: Personalized Gut Health

04:19 Why root cause coaching goes beyond one-size-fits-all probiotics

Links & Resources

Apply for 1:1 Root Cause Functional Medicine Coaching

👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd

Learn my secret to sustainable weight loss for Hashimoto’s.

👉 Join Thyroid Strong Elite: 6-Month Group Coaching

Follow Dr. Emily Kiberd & Thyroid Strong:

 📘 Facebook: Thyroid Strong  

📷 Instagram: @thyroid.strong

🎵 TikTok: Thyroid Strong

In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd speaks directly to the woman who has tried it all protocols, supplements, elimination diets, food sensitivity testing—and still isn’t seeing results. If you’ve pieced together advice from podcasts, Instagram reels, or your doctor and feel stuck, this is your reality check.

Dr. Emily shares her 6-part checklist to know if it’s time to stop DIY-ing and start working with a functional medicine practitioner who can go deeper into your unique case. From “normal” labs that don’t match how you feel, to shrinking food lists that leave you afraid to eat, these signs reveal when it’s time to move from information overload to personalized, root cause coaching.

If you’ve been spinning your wheels, this episode will help you decide if you’re ready for the next level of healing.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The 6-part checklist to know if you’re ready for functional medicine coaching
• Why elimination diets often fail to create lasting change
• What “normal labs” really mean when you still feel tired, bloated, or stuck
• How a personalized plan is different from cookie-cutter protocols
• Why being strong and disciplined doesn’t always equal results without root cause work
• Why quick-fix resets don’t work for Hashimoto’s—and what does
• How fear of food signals deeper gut or immune dysfunction
• What makes Dr. Emily’s 1:1 Root Cause Coaching different from anything else out there

Highlights:

00:43 The Exhaustion of DIY Health Solutions

01:44 The Importance of One-on-One Coaching

02:01 Six-Point Checklist for Readiness

06:03 Personalized Functional Medicine Coaching

07:33 How to apply & next steps if you’re ready for deeper healing

Links & Resources

Apply for 1:1 Root Cause Functional Medicine Coaching

👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd

Learn my secret to sustainable weight loss for Hashimoto’s.

👉 Join Thyroid Strong Elite: 6-Month Group Coaching

Follow Dr. Emily Kiberd & Thyroid Strong:

 📘 Facebook: Thyroid Strong  

📷 Instagram: @thyroid.strong

🎵 TikTok: Thyroid Strong