The Thyroid (and Hormone) Fixer Podcast: Thyropause, Menopause, Metabolism and How to Fix It

635. The Truth Behind Medical Gaslighting

The Thyroid (and Hormone) Fixer Podcast: Thyropause, Menopause, Metabolism and How to Fix It

Show Notes

In this episode, I’m talking honestly about why so many patients leave doctor’s appointments feeling dismissed, unheard, or stuck in a cycle of “normal labs” despite ongoing symptoms. I walk through the structural issues inside both conventional and functional medicine that shape how providers diagnose, prescribe, and communicate with patients, especially when it comes to thyroid and hormone health. From insurance reimbursement models and medical school training to pharmaceutical influence and malpractice fears, I explain why many well-meaning doctors still operate inside rigid systems that leave little room for nuance, curiosity, or individualized care. I also discuss the growing frustrations patients experience when navigating chronic and complex conditions, and why symptoms are often minimized when they don’t fit neatly inside standard lab ranges or insurance-approved treatment protocols. What you’ll learn: Why thyroid and hormone patients are often told their labs are “normal” despite persistent symptoms How insurance reimbursement influences which tests doctors are willing to order The role medical school training plays in shaping treatment decisions Why many providers are hesitant to prescribe T3 or order advanced thyroid panels How fear of audits, lawsuits, and professional consequences affects patient care The difference between true specialization and “jack of all trades” functional medicine Why symptoms often appear long before standard lab markers become abnormal How to advocate for yourself without assuming every doctor has bad intentions If you’ve ever felt frustrated trying to get answers about your health, this episode will give you more context for how these systems operate and why so many patients feel stuck navigating them. Grab your Thyroid Fixer here: https://betterlifedoctor.com/ New here? Use code LISTEN20 for 20% off your first order Returning customers can use code LISTEN10 for 10% off SHOP DR. AMIE’S FIXXR® SUPPLEMENTS: betterlifedoctor.com LET'S GET YOUR LIFE BACK...Connect with Dr. Amie Hornaman Book a free thyroid and hormone solution call: https://dramiehornaman.com/pages/book-a-call CHECK OUT MY FREEBIES... JUST CLICK BELOW Thyroid Optimization Guide: https://health.dramie.com/thyropause 7 Day Thyroid Healing Kickstarter: https://fixyourthyroid.com/7daykickstarter Thyroid on Trial: https://health.dramie.com/thyroid-on-trial-optin RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTS Show your love for Dr. Amie and The Thyroid Fixer Podcast! If you’re enjoying our journey together, I’d be thrilled if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps me reach and help more people just like you, guiding them towards their optimal selves! Just click HERE, scroll all the way down, give us those 5 stars, and share what you enjoy about my episodes in a review. Haven’t subscribed yet? Make sure to follow The Thyroid Fixer Podcast to catch all the new episodes that come out every week. Follow HERE and never miss out on a moment of the journey! CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Join my exclusive Facebook Group and get questions answered LIVE weekly, Just Fix Your Thyroid, for a Community of HOPE and SUPPORT in your thyroid journey. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dramie/ Like me on Facebook: Amie Hornaman Nutrition and Functional Medicine Subscribe on YouTube: Dr. Amie Hornaman Follow me on Instagram: @dramiehornaman

More from The Thyroid (and Hormone) Fixer Podcast: Thyropause, Menopause, Metabolism and How to Fix It

Oct 20, 2026

What if the reason you keep ending up in the kitchen at night, eating when you're not even hungry, has nothing to do with willpower? In this episode, I'm joined by Amber Romaniuk, who works with women on emotional eating, binge eating, digestion, and hormones, to unpack why food becomes the way so many of us cope with stress, quiet our thoughts, and take care of everyone but ourselves. Amber shares her own journey through binge eating, food addiction, and bulimia, and I open up about the disordered eating I went through during my bodybuilding years. We also get into the differences between emotional eating, binge eating, bulimia, and food addiction, how cortisol, poor sleep, low progesterone, and thyroid issues can turn up the volume on cravings, and why the shame spiral after a binge can keep the whole cycle going. Amber shares what to do after a binge instead of restricting or over-exercising, what real progress looks like beyond the scale, and her honest take on fasting and GLP-1s when you're healing your relationship with food. What you'll learn: Why emotional eating is rarely about willpower, and what may be driving it instead How repeating the same eating patterns can wire a habit pathway in your brain What separates emotional eating, binge eating, bulimia, and food addiction How high cortisol, poor sleep, and low progesterone can amplify cravings Why skipping meals with low thyroid function can set you up for nighttime overeating What to do after a binge instead of restricting, fasting, or over-exercising What progress looks like beyond the number on the scale Why Amber believes fasting and GLP-1s aren't the answer for healing your relationship with food Tune in to learn how to break the emotional eating cycle and build a relationship with food that isn't driven by shame. Resources from Amber: Take the Emotional Eating Quiz: https://amberapproved.ca Listen to The No Sugarcoating Podcast: https://apple.co/2pnDaZw Follow Amber on Instagram: @amberromaniuk (https://www.instagram.com/amberromaniuk/) Grab your Thyroid Fixer here: https://betterlifedoctor.com/ New here? Use code LISTEN20 for 20% off your first order Returning customers can use code LISTEN10 for 10% off SHOP DR. AMIE'S FIXXR® SUPPLEMENTS: betterlifedoctor.com LET'S GET YOUR LIFE BACK...Connect with Dr. Amie Hornaman Book a free thyroid and hormone solution call: https://dramiehornaman.com/pages/book-a-call CHECK OUT MY FREEBIES... JUST CLICK BELOW Thyroid Optimization Guide: https://health.dramie.com/thyropause 7 Day Thyroid Healing Kickstarter: https://fixyourthyroid.com/7daykickstarter Thyroid on Trial: https://health.dramie.com/thyroid-on-trial-optin RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTS Show your love for Dr. Amie and The Thyroid Fixer Podcast! If you're enjoying our journey together, I'd be thrilled if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps me reach and help more people just like you, guiding them towards their optimal selves! Just click HERE (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thyroid-fixer/id1529800263), scroll all the way down, give us those 5 stars, and share what you enjoy about my episodes in a review. Haven't subscribed yet? Make sure to follow The Thyroid Fixer Podcast to catch all the new episodes that come out every week. Follow HERE (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thyroid-fixer/id1529800263) and never miss out on a moment of the journey! CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Join my exclusive Facebook Group and get questions answered LIVE weekly, Just Fix Your Thyroid, for a Community of HOPE and SUPPORT in your thyroid journey. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dramie/ Like me on Facebook: Amie Hornaman Nutrition and Functional Medicine (https://www.facebook.com/amiehornamannutrition/) Subscribe on YouTube: Dr. Amie Hornaman (https://www.youtube.com/c/dramiehornaman) Follow me on Instagram: @dramiehornaman (https://www.instagram.com/dramiehornam

Oct 16, 2026

What if the reason you still feel exhausted, foggy, and stuck isn't your thyroid or your hormones on their own, but the fact that no one is treating them together? In this episode, I'm breaking down why your thyroid and your sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) play in the same sandbox, and why splitting them between two providers who never talk to each other can leave you coordinating your own care. Consider this my public service announcement on hormones-in-a-box clinics, algorithm-based dosing, and what improperly managed hormones can mean for your health and longevity. We also get into why you can't supplement your way to optimal sex hormone levels, why "within normal limits" isn't the same as optimal, and how oral estrogen can raise binding proteins like SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) and TBG (thyroid binding globulin), which may leave you feeling worse. I also share the exact questions to ask before you start hormone therapy, the red flags to watch for, and the training I look for in a hormone provider. What you'll learn: Why your thyroid and sex hormones need to be treated together, not by two separate providers Why supplements and over-the-counter creams can only take you so far in perimenopause and menopause What "within normal limits" misses, and why a total testosterone of 40 may still be below optimal for women How oral estrogen can raise SHBG and TBG and affect your thyroid and testosterone Why estrone matters and why it's worth testing alongside estradiol Which questions to ask a provider before you hand over your money What red flags to watch for in hormones-in-a-box and pop-up hormone clinics Why you may still benefit from progesterone even if you don't have a uterus Tune in to learn how to find a provider who knows which lever to pull when your body doesn't follow the textbook. Grab your Thyroid Fixer here: https://betterlifedoctor.com/ New here? Use code LISTEN20 for 20% off your first order Returning customers can use code LISTEN10 for 10% off SHOP DR. AMIE'S FIXXR® SUPPLEMENTS: betterlifedoctor.com LET'S GET YOUR LIFE BACK...Connect with Dr. Amie Hornaman Book a free thyroid and hormone solution call: https://dramiehornaman.com/pages/book-a-call CHECK OUT MY FREEBIES... JUST CLICK BELOW Thyroid Optimization Guide: https://health.dramie.com/thyropause 7 Day Thyroid Healing Kickstarter: https://fixyourthyroid.com/7daykickstarter Thyroid on Trial: https://health.dramie.com/thyroid-on-trial-optin RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTS Show your love for Dr. Amie and The Thyroid Fixer Podcast! If you're enjoying our journey together, I'd be thrilled if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps me reach and help more people just like you, guiding them towards their optimal selves! Just click HERE (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thyroid-fixer/id1529800263), scroll all the way down, give us those 5 stars, and share what you enjoy about my episodes in a review. Haven't subscribed yet? Make sure to follow The Thyroid Fixer Podcast to catch all the new episodes that come out every week. Follow HERE (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thyroid-fixer/id1529800263) and never miss out on a moment of the journey! CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Join my exclusive Facebook Group and get questions answered LIVE weekly, Just Fix Your Thyroid, for a Community of HOPE and SUPPORT in your thyroid journey. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dramie/ Like me on Facebook: Amie Hornaman Nutrition and Functional Medicine (https://www.facebook.com/amiehornamannutrition/) Subscribe on YouTube: Dr. Amie Hornaman (https://www.youtube.com/c/dramiehornaman) Follow me on Instagram: @dramiehornaman (https://www.instagram.com/dramiehornaman/) Disclaimer: Information provided on The Thyroid Fixer® podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or

Oct 13, 2026

What if one of the most useful health trackers you could own wasn't on your wrist, but on your toilet? In this episode, I'm joined by Scott Hickle, engineer and founder of Throne, a camera that clips onto your toilet and tracks your gut health, hydration, and bathroom habits every time you go. We get into what your poop and pee can reveal about your health and what the Bristol Stool Scale (a 1-to-7 chart of stool form) actually tells you. We also cover why your memory of your own bathroom habits is far worse than you think. We also talk about how Throne's AI helps you connect gut changes to stress, travel, food, supplements, or new medications like GLP-1s. Scott walks through what can throw off the readings, from blue toilet cleaner to vitamin B and methylene blue. He explains why embarrassment can keep people from getting checked for things like colon cancer. He also shares a surprising link between under-hydration, vasopressin (the hormone that helps your body hold onto water), and your blood sugar response, which I connect back to thyroid function and weight. What you'll learn: What your stool form, color, and frequency can reveal about your gut health How Throne tracks hydration, bathroom habits, and urinary flow automatically Why your memory of your own bathroom habits is so unreliable How to run your own experiments with diet, supplements, probiotics, and GLP-1s What can throw off hydration readings, from vitamin B to methylene blue Why Scott believes embarrassment is a real risk factor for delayed diagnosis - How under-hydration may affect your blood sugar, thyroid, and weight What Scott says to look for in the toilet tomorrow, with or without a device If you've ever ignored what's happening in the toilet, this episode will show you why it's worth paying attention. Tune in to learn what your poop and pee may be telling you about your health, and why it's worth paying attention to what's happening in the toilet. ——— Thyroid Fixer listeners can save on Throne at https://thronescience.com/discount/DRAMIE or use code DRAMIE at checkout. Grab your Thyroid Fixer here: https://betterlifedoctor.com/ New here? Use code LISTEN20 for 20% off your first order Returning customers can use code LISTEN10 for 10% off SHOP DR. AMIE'S FIXXR® SUPPLEMENTS: betterlifedoctor.com LET'S GET YOUR LIFE BACK...Connect with Dr. Amie Hornaman Book a free thyroid and hormone solution call: https://dramiehornaman.com/pages/book-a-call CHECK OUT MY FREEBIES... JUST CLICK BELOW Thyroid Optimization Guide: https://health.dramie.com/thyropause 7 Day Thyroid Healing Kickstarter: https://fixyourthyroid.com/7daykickstarter Thyroid on Trial: https://health.dramie.com/thyroid-on-trial-optin RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTS Show your love for Dr. Amie and The Thyroid Fixer Podcast! If you're enjoying our journey together, I'd be thrilled if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps me reach and help more people just like you, guiding them towards their optimal selves! Just click HERE (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thyroid-fixer/id1529800263), scroll all the way down, give us those 5 stars, and share what you enjoy about my episodes in a review. Haven't subscribed yet? Make sure to follow The Thyroid Fixer Podcast to catch all the new episodes that come out every week. Follow HERE (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thyroid-fixer/id1529800263) and never miss out on a moment of the journey! CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Join my exclusive Facebook Group and get questions answered LIVE weekly, Just Fix Your Thyroid, for a Community of HOPE and SUPPORT in your thyroid journey. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dramie/ Like me on Facebook: Amie Hornaman Nutrition and Functional Medicine (https://www.facebook.com/amiehornamannutrition/) Subscribe on YouTube: Dr. Amie Hornaman (https://www.youtube.com/c/dramiehornaman) Follow me on Instagram: @dramiehornaman (https:/

Oct 9, 2026

What if Alzheimer's doesn't begin when you start forgetting things, but decades earlier, with your blood sugar, your waistline, and your hormones? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. David Perlmutter, Board-Certified Neurologist and author of Grain Brain and his new book, Brain Defenders, to unpack why your brain's future is something you can influence. We talk about microglia, the brain's own immune cells, how they shift from protecting your brain to damaging it, and why chasing beta amyloid may be missing the bigger picture. We also get into how thyroid hormone, especially T3, fuels the mitochondria that help keep those immune cells supportive. We look at why the drop in estrogen during perimenopause may help explain why two-thirds of Alzheimer's patients are women. Dr. Perlmutter shares where he stands on hormone replacement therapy and testosterone and what the research says so far about GLP-1 medications and brain health. He also names the labs he wants everyone in their 30s, 40s, and 50s to know, including fasting insulin, A1C, and homocysteine. What you'll learn: Why Alzheimer's may begin decades before memory loss shows up Why Dr. Perlmutter says carrying the APOE4 gene variant means predisposed, not predetermined What microglia are and how they shift from supportive to destructive How blood sugar, gut inflammation, and head trauma can all affect your brain's immune cells How thyroid hormone and your mitochondria work together to support brain energy Why falling estrogen during perimenopause may put women's brains at greater risk Where Dr. Perlmutter stands on hormone replacement therapy and testosterone What the research says so far about GLP-1 medications and the brain Tune in to learn how to start protecting your brain now, long before any symptoms show up. Resources from Dr. David Perlmutter: Brain Defenders (book): https://braindefenders.com Website: https://drperlmutter.com Podcast: The Empowering Neurologist Follow Dr. Perlmutter on social media: Instagram: @davidperlmutter Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DavidPerlmutterMD X: @davidperlmutter Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/david-perlmutter-md Grab your Thyroid Fixer here: https://betterlifedoctor.com/ New here? Use code LISTEN20 for 20% off your first order Returning customers can use code LISTEN10 for 10% off SHOP DR. AMIE'S FIXXR® SUPPLEMENTS: betterlifedoctor.com LET'S GET YOUR LIFE BACK...Connect with Dr. Amie Hornaman Book a free thyroid and hormone solution call: https://dramiehornaman.com/pages/book-a-call CHECK OUT MY FREEBIES... JUST CLICK BELOW Thyroid Optimization Guide: https://health.dramie.com/thyropause 7 Day Thyroid Healing Kickstarter: https://fixyourthyroid.com/7daykickstarter Thyroid on Trial: https://health.dramie.com/thyroid-on-trial-optin RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTS Show your love for Dr. Amie and The Thyroid Fixer Podcast! If you're enjoying our journey together, I'd be thrilled if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps me reach and help more people just like you, guiding them towards their optimal selves! Just click HERE: (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thyroid-fixer/id1529800263), scroll all the way down, give us those 5 stars, and share what you enjoy about my episodes in a review. Haven't subscribed yet? Make sure to follow The Thyroid Fixer Podcast to catch all the new episodes that come out every week. Follow HERE: (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thyroid-fixer/id1529800263) and never miss out on a moment of the journey! CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Join my exclusive Facebook Group and get questions answered LIVE weekly, Just Fix Your Thyroid, for a Community of HOPE and SUPPORT in your thyroid journey. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dramie/ Like me on Facebook: Amie Hornaman Nutrition and Functional Medicine (https://www.facebook.com/amiehornamannutrition/) Subscribe on YouTube: Dr. Amie Hornaman (https://www.youtube.com/c/dramieho

Oct 6, 2026

Gut health is about far more than bloating and constipation. In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Frontiero to unpack the overlooked ways gut dysfunction can show up, from fatigue and brain fog to skin issues, joint pain, sleep problems, and thyroid challenges. We also talk about why common gut protocols don’t always work and why the order in which you address gut health matters.

See all episodes →