May 16, 2026
If you have ever been told your thyroid is “normal” while you are exhausted, gaining weight, losing hair, constipated, freezing cold, and barely making it through the day, this episode is going to hit a nerve. Because the truth is, thyroid care is still failing women in a big way. Too many doctors are only testing TSH, stopping there, and missing the full picture completely.
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Dr. Amie Hornaman to talk about why thyroid treatment is still so broken, especially for women in midlife.
We go into one of the most important parts of this whole conversation: advocacy. Because when it comes to thyroid health, no one is coming to save you. You have to know what to ask for, what to test, what patterns to look for, and how to push for better care. If you have been dismissed, under-treated, or told your labs are fine while your body is clearly telling a different story, this episode will give you language, clarity, and a much better understanding of what may actually be going on.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why thyroid care has not improved nearly enough for women
- Why testing only TSH is not enough
- The thyroid labs women need to ask for
- What free T3, free T4, reverse T3, TPO, and Tg antibodies actually tell you
- Why T4-only thyroid medication often does not work well
- How reverse T3 can put the brakes on your metabolism
- Why thyroid dysfunction can affect blood sugar, insulin, fertility, and sex hormones
- The connection between perimenopause, menopause, and new thyroid issues
- Why many women are being under-medicated for hypothyroidism
- How to advocate for yourself and find a practitioner who actually understands thyroid care
Who this episode is for
This episode is for women who suspect they have a thyroid issue, have already been diagnosed with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s, or have been told their thyroid is “fine” even though they feel anything but fine. It is especially helpful for women in perimenopause and menopause who are dealing with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, low mood, constipation, hair loss, or feeling like their body has suddenly stopped working the way it used to.
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Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
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Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert