What makes a “good” thyroid doctor?

Living with hypothyroidism can be frustrating, especially when symptoms persist despite taking thyroid medication. Through years of research, trial and error, and working with both traditional and holistic healthcare providers, I learned that managing hypothyroidism often requires more than medication alone. In this article, I share the holistic approach to treating hypothyroidism that helped me improve my thyroid health, including medication, nutrition, supplements, exercise, stress management, and other lifestyle changes.

When it comes to thyroid management, there is no denying that endocrinologists have more specialized training than primary care physicians.

Any good doctor will review your blood work, diagnose your condition, and develop a treatment plan with you, regardless of their level of training or expertise. However, specialized training does not always translate into better outcomes.

Today’s medical education requires physicians to master an enormous amount of information. While this training is invaluable, it also emphasizes standardized approaches to patient care. In my experience, this can sometimes make it more difficult for doctors to consider each patient’s unique circumstances and individual needs.

Endocrinologists undergo additional training in diagnosing and treating hormone disorders, including diseases affecting the glands that produce hormones and the complex systems that regulate them throughout the body.

I sought the care of an endocrinologist because I hoped that this additional expertise would help me feel better. Unfortunately, that was not my experience.

My endocrinologist was committed to prescribing only one medication for me—a medication that was not working. After months without improvement, he was unwilling to consider a different medication, a different approach, or deviate from his usual treatment plan.

He wanted to convince me not to change my thyroid medication to Armour® Thyroid. According to him, Levothyroxine was the most appropriate medication for treating my hypothyroidism.

“You are a smart woman, and you will conclude that this medicine is the best one that we have to treat your underactive thyroid.”

I sat in the office much longer than usual while he tried to convince me that homeopathic remedies had no value.

Before I left, he said:

“You know what you’re doing, but I still do not recommend holistic treatments. I advise you not to do it.”

Despite his advice, I remained determined to find my own solutions. After leaving the hospital, I decided to take a more active role in my health and continue searching for answers.

If you’re wondering how to find a healthcare provider who is open to discussing lifestyle changes, nutrition, and treatment options beyond medication alone, you may also find my article on Traditional vs. Natural Medicine for Hypothyroidism helpful.

 

Eventually, I found a physician who practiced holistic medicine. She prescribed Armour® Thyroid and recommended vitamins, supplements, dietary changes, and an exercise program tailored to my needs.

Over time, my energy returned, my brain fog disappeared, and I began losing weight. My fasting blood glucose dropped from 100 mg/dL to 77 mg/dL. I experienced remarkable improvements in my health.

If you’re struggling with weight gain related to hypothyroidism, you may also find my article, Is It Possible to Lose Weight with Hypothyroidism?, helpful. In it, I share the strategies that made the biggest difference for me.

Months later, when my endocrinologist reviewed my laboratory results, he simply wrote:

“Continue to do whatever you are doing.”

That was the last communication I had with him.

Is Your Doctor Open to New Ideas?

Is your current doctor encouraging you to learn more about your condition? Is he or she willing to review new information you have found and discuss your care with an open mind?

If you can identify and address some of the underlying factors contributing to your thyroid condition, you and your doctor may eventually be able to reduce—or, when appropriate, discontinue—thyroid medication under medical supervision.

In my opinion, a good doctor looks beyond the diagnosis, investigates the factors that may be contributing to illness, and works with the patient to improve overall health whenever possible.

The ultimate goal should be better health, a higher quality of life, and, when it can be done safely, less dependence on long-term medication.

How to Find a Good Doctor

Finding the right thyroid doctor takes time, but the effort is worthwhile. Here are some suggestions that helped me:

• Join Facebook support groups and ask for patient recommendations.
• Look for physicians who write articles, maintain educational blogs, or have authored books about thyroid health.
• Consider doctors with additional training in integrative medicine, functional medicine, hormone therapy, or anti-aging medicine.
• Watch educational lectures from physicians who specialize in thyroid disorders.
• Read books that discuss thyroid health from both conventional and holistic perspectives.
• Visit reputable thyroid websites whose content is medically reviewed by qualified healthcare professionals.
• If you know someone who works in healthcare, ask for recommendations. Healthcare professionals often have valuable insight into which physicians are compassionate, knowledgeable, and open-minded.
• Ask yourself whether your doctor is interested in your overall health—not just your laboratory results.

If an endocrinologist refuses to listen to your concerns or discuss your symptoms openly, it may be worth seeking a second opinion from another endocrinologist or a physician who practices an integrative or holistic approach to medicine.

What Does a Natural Approach to Thyroid Management Entail?

Functional medicine has gained popularity as an approach to treating certain chronic conditions that may not respond optimally to conventional care. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, functional medicine physicians aim to identify and address the underlying factors that may be contributing to disease.

Instead of simply managing symptoms with medication, functional medicine seeks to correct the root causes of illness whenever possible, with the goal of improving health and reducing long-term dependence on medications when it is safe and appropriate.

Holistic physicians still recognize the importance of thyroid hormones, medications, and endocrine physiology. However, they often combine conventional medical knowledge with lifestyle interventions such as dietary modifications, exercise, stress management, quality sleep, and targeted nutritional support.

Some thyroid disorders have an autoimmune origin, meaning they can affect many systems throughout the body rather than just the thyroid gland. In these situations, it is important to evaluate the individual as a whole instead of focusing on a single organ.

Fortunately, I found a physician who specialized in holistic medicine and bioidentical hormones. My journey toward better health began with a different thyroid treatment plan and a comprehensive protocol designed to restore hormonal balance.

My doctor also recognized that some people may be sensitive to certain fillers, dyes, or inactive ingredients found in medications. She recommended reputable compounding pharmacies that minimized unnecessary additives whenever appropriate. This individualized approach played an important role in helping me achieve my health goals.

Most people know when they are truly being heard during a doctor’s visit. Remember, you always have a choice. If you are referred to a specialist who isn’t the right fit, you are free to seek another physician whose philosophy and communication style better match your needs.

Ask yourself whether you’re ready to take an active role in your health. Finding the right healthcare provider can make a tremendous difference.

How Does a Healthy Thyroid Work?

The endocrine system is an intricate network of hormones that constantly interact with one another. Because of this complexity, thyroid disorders cannot always be evaluated using a simple black-and-white approach.

For example, some hormone levels, such as cortisol, naturally fluctuate throughout the day. For that reason, physicians should interpret laboratory results within the proper clinical context rather than relying on a single value in isolation.

For thyroid hormone to function properly, several important steps must occur inside the body. Each step depends on enzymes, receptors, nutrients, and other hormones working together to maintain healthy thyroid metabolism.

If any one of these steps is disrupted, thyroid function may be affected.

When addressing thyroid dysfunction, the goal is to optimize each of these processes so the body can utilize thyroid hormone as efficiently as possible.

According to Dr. Westin Childs, one simplified way to understand thyroid physiology involves three major steps:

1. Production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.
2. Conversion of T4 into T3.
   Most of the hormone produced by the thyroid gland is T4, which serves largely as a storage hormone. Your body must convert T4 into T3, the active hormone responsible for many of thyroid hormone’s metabolic effects.
3. Cellular utilization of thyroid hormone.
   Finally, T3 must bind to receptors within your cells, where it activates genetic processes that regulate metabolism and many other essential body functions.

Optimize your Thyroid Function 

Optimizing Thyroid Function

How can we support these important steps and help optimize thyroid function?

Correct Nutrient Deficiencies

Your thyroid relies on a variety of vitamins and minerals to produce hormones efficiently. Several nutrients also help the body convert T4 into its active form, T3. When these nutrients are lacking, thyroid function may become less efficient and symptoms can worsen.

Nutrient deficiencies can often be addressed through a combination of a healthy diet and, when appropriate, nutritional supplements.

We’ll explore many of these nutrients in the following sections.

 

Improve Gut Health

The digestive system plays an important role in overall thyroid health.

Healthy thyroid hormone levels help stimulate stomach acid production and maintain normal intestinal movement. Likewise, a healthy digestive tract supports nutrient absorption and contributes to normal thyroid hormone metabolism.

Research also suggests that intestinal bacteria participate in thyroid hormone metabolism, making gut health another important factor to consider when optimizing thyroid function.

 

Balance Reverse T3

Reverse T3 (rT3) is a naturally occurring form of thyroid hormone that can reduce the activity of T3 under certain conditions.

During periods of severe illness, prolonged fasting, chronic stress, or significant metabolic strain, the body may convert more T4 into reverse T3 instead of active T3. This shift can slow metabolism as part of the body’s protective response.

For example, during a serious infection or critical illness, increasing reverse T3 allows the body to conserve energy while directing resources toward healing.

However, some practitioners believe reverse T3 may also become elevated in situations such as chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, severe calorie restriction, or prolonged stress. In those circumstances, optimizing the overall balance of thyroid hormone metabolism may become an important part of treatment.

 

Optimize Iron and Ferritin

Adequate iron levels are essential for healthy thyroid function. Iron participates in several processes involved in thyroid hormone production and metabolism.

Ferritin, which measures your body’s iron stores, is commonly included in laboratory testing to evaluate iron status.

Both iron deficiency and iron overload may negatively affect health. Low iron levels have been associated with reduced thyroid hormone activity and less efficient conversion of T4 into T3.

Iron deficiency may also contribute to fatigue and reduced adrenal function. Interestingly, hypothyroidism itself can sometimes contribute to iron deficiency because thyroid hormone supports normal iron absorption.

Some people tolerate liquid iron supplements better than traditional tablets, which may cause constipation. Your physician can help determine the most appropriate form if supplementation is necessary.

 

Assess Liver Function

The liver plays an important role in converting much of the body’s T4 into the active hormone T3. Because of this, maintaining healthy liver function supports normal thyroid hormone metabolism. Routine laboratory testing can help evaluate liver health when clinically appropriate

Improve Adrenal Function and Stress Management

The good news is that you can take efforts to boost your adrenal function and alleviate these symptoms:

• Adrenal supplements contain key substances like adrenal adaptogens and/or formulations with desiccated adrenal tissue. These are supplements that may help your body cope with stress and reduce the negative effects that chronically elevated stress hormones have on your other hormones.I have an entire article talking specifically about supplements. Please visit it here.Research has shown these vitamins have also been found to have a favorable effect on cortisol levels.
• Caffeine can act as a stimulant, putting additional strain on your adrenals. If you find yourself relying on caffeine for “energy,” it may be time to reduce your caffeine intake.
• Eat more salt. Salt is necessary for the production of some adrenal hormones and helps to nourish the adrenals.
• Relax with Yoga or Meditation. These stress-relieving activities may help lower cortisol levels and reduce adrenal demand. Alternative therapies like EFT(emotional freedom techniques) can help teach you how to relax and let go of stress.
• Other nutrient deficits might exacerbate adrenal symptoms, so be sure you’re getting enough of everything.
• Check for Iodine Saturation and Concentration

Iodine is a crucial component in the production of thyroid hormones, and iodine deficiency can cause a decrease in thyroid hormone synthesis.

Reduced iodine intake can be due to a nutritional depletion in the soil, a dislike of sea vegetables, and a preference for non-iodized salt. A low iodine diet can cause an iodine deficiency, which could result in lower T3 levels.

One of the clues of my Thyroid problem was due to my body’s inability to absorb iodine from food. I found I needed to take it orally, along with other vitamins that would help my thyroid stabilize.

It is important to take Iodine supplements after you have confirmed a true iodine deficiency with a 24-hour urine test interpreted with the help of a qualified doctor.

Exercise and Diet

If you are living with hypothyroidism, exercise may be the last thing on your mind. While taking thyroid medication prescribed by your doctor is often the first step in managing hypothyroidism, regular physical activity can also play an important role in improving your overall health and helping relieve some of the symptoms associated with the condition.

Even dedicating just 20 minutes a day to exercise can increase your energy, support a healthy metabolism, and contribute to your overall well-being.

Choose Moderate-Intensity Exercise

Moderate-intensity exercise is an excellent place to begin if you have hypothyroidism. Walking, cycling, swimming, light resistance training, and other low-impact activities are excellent ways to improve stamina, build strength, and stay active while being gentler on your joints and muscles.

I’ve also included several moderate-intensity workout videos that may help you get started.

If you are living with hypothyroidism, exercise may be the last thing on your mind. While taking thyroid medication prescribed by your doctor is often the first step in managing hypothyroidism, regular physical activity can also play an important role in improving your overall health and helping relieve some of the symptoms associated with the condition.

Even dedicating just 20 minutes a day to exercise can increase your energy, support a healthy metabolism, and contribute to your overall well-being.

Choose Moderate-Intensity Exercise

Moderate-intensity exercise is an excellent place to begin if you have hypothyroidism. Walking, cycling, swimming, light resistance training, and other low-impact activities are excellent ways to improve stamina, build strength, and stay active while being gentler on your joints and muscles.

I’ve also included several moderate-intensity workout videos that may help you get started.

Consider Interval Training

Another form of exercise that I personally recommend is interval training. It may sound intimidating at first, but it can easily be adapted to your fitness level and modified to be thyroid-friendly.

Rather than maintaining one steady pace from beginning to end, interval training varies your effort by mixing short bursts of more challenging exercise with periods of slower movement or recovery before repeating the cycle. This approach allows you to challenge your body while giving it enough time to recover before beginning the next interval.

For example, if you enjoy walking, you could increase your pace or jog lightly for 20 to 30 seconds, followed by one to two minutes of comfortable walking. Repeat this pattern several times during your workout to gradually build endurance without spending long periods exercising at a high intensity.

When performed appropriately, interval training may help:

• Improve muscle strength and endurance
• Support cardiovascular health
• Boost metabolism
• Reduce repetitive stress on the joints compared with prolonged high-intensity exercise

If your healthcare provider has cleared you for higher-intensity exercise, ease into it. Begin with brief intervals of about 10 to 20 seconds and increase the challenge little by little as your endurance and confidence improve.

Always listen to your body. Rest whenever you need to, and stop exercising if you experience pain, dizziness, or any unusual symptoms.

Another advantage of interval training is that most workouts can be completed in about 20 to 30 minutes, making them easier to fit into even the busiest schedule.

Let’s Focus on Dietary Concerns

Can Changing My Diet Help Me Lose Weight?

For many years, we’ve been taught that weight loss is simply a matter of consuming fewer calories than the body burns. While calorie balance certainly plays a role, I believe the picture is often much more complex, especially for people living with hypothyroidism.

Hormones influence appetite, metabolism, energy levels, and the way our bodies store and burn fat. When these hormones become imbalanced, losing weight can become much more challenging, even when you’re eating well and exercising regularly.

If hypothyroidism is accompanied by other chronic conditions such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure, those conditions may also contribute to metabolic changes that make weight management more difficult.

I’ve written another article devoted entirely to weight loss and hypothyroidism if you’d like a more in-depth discussion.

From my experience, if your hormones are significantly out of balance, simply cutting calories may produce only temporary results. Lasting success often requires addressing the underlying factors that affect metabolism, including hormone balance, nutrition, sleep, stress, and physical activity.

The Diet That Helped Me

Although nutrition is an important part of managing hypothyroidism, I don’t believe there is one perfect “thyroid diet” that works for everyone.

The approach I’m sharing is simply what worked for me. If you have other medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, your dietary needs may be different, so it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to develop a plan that’s right for you.

One strategy that I found particularly helpful was intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that alternates periods of eating with periods of fasting. Rather than focusing on specific foods, it primarily determines when you eat.

There are many different intermittent fasting schedules, so finding one that fits your lifestyle is important. If you’d like to learn more, I’ve written another article explaining the various methods in greater detail. You can also read my weight loss article, where I discuss how intermittent fasting fit into my overall thyroid journey.

Intermittent fasting helped me decide when to eat. Just as important, however, was deciding what to eat.

The following dietary principles, many of which were recommended by Dr. Nicholas Perricone, are the guidelines that I personally followed.

Foods I Focused On

• Eat whole, minimally processed foods whenever possible.
• Choose high-quality protein sources such as wild-caught fish, seafood, organic chicken, turkey, and grass-fed beef or lamb.
• Limit highly processed foods, fast foods, trans fats, and foods containing unnecessary additives whenever possible.
• Fill your plate with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, choosing organic options when practical.
• Include healthy fats such as extra-virgin olive oil, salmon, sardines, avocado, nuts, seeds, and açai.

These relatively simple dietary changes made a meaningful difference in my overall health and became an important part of my thyroid wellness journey.

What About Foods to Avoid?

One day, as I sat watching TV and mindlessly devouring a bag of chips, it hit me—I was unknowingly harming myself with my food and drink choices.

At the time, I didn’t realize that many of the foods and beverages I was consuming contained artificial additives, pesticides, preservatives, and other chemicals. I soon learned that these highly processed foods may contribute to inflammation. Inflammation can also affect gut health, and because the gut plays an important role in overall health, I wanted to do everything I could to support my thyroid.

As a rule, I tried to avoid the following foods:

• All processed foods
• Foods with more than three ingredients whenever possible
• Refined and added sugars (check the label for added sugars or corn syrup)
• Grains, pasta, cereals, and breads. These foods may raise blood sugar levels and, for some people, can make weight management more difficult.
• Soft drinks, including diet sodas
• Non-organic dairy products to limit exposure to added hormones and lactose (if I noticed sensitivity)
• Non-fermented soy products, since some research suggests they may interfere with thyroid function in certain individuals
• Alcoholic beverages, except for the occasional small glass of red wine on special occasions
• Coffee. I preferred decaffeinated green or black tea without sugar. According to Dr. Nicholas Perricone, limiting coffee may also be helpful when trying to lose weight.

If you’re not sure where to begin or feel overwhelmed by all the information available, start simply by eating more organic, whole foods and reducing sugar and highly processed foods.

Finding the right diet for me was a process of trial and error. I read books, researched online, and consulted with naturopathic doctors until I found an approach that worked for me.

If you’re looking for practical ways to improve your eating habits, you may also enjoy my article, 11 Tips to Start a Thyroid-Friendly Diet, where I share simple strategies that helped me transition to a healthier lifestyle.

I realized that I needed to rethink my eating habits and make small, sustainable changes to my everyday lifestyle. Those small changes made a much bigger difference than trying to change everything at once.

After months of research, I was excited to begin my new eating plan. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint me. It worked, and I was thrilled with the results.

I followed a combination of Dr. Nicholas Perricone’s recommendations, the Mediterranean diet, and my own modifications to favorite recipes based on the guidelines above.

One of the most important things I learned was to pay attention to how I felt after eating certain foods. If a food left me feeling sluggish or unwell, I removed it from my diet. If it made me feel energized, I kept it.

If you suspect certain foods are causing problems, a food sensitivity or allergy test may help identify foods that are worth avoiding.

I Still Enjoy a Cheat Day

I also allow myself one cheat day each week, when I enjoy foods that I don’t normally eat, including:

• Sushi topped with asparagus, salmon, and hot sauce
• One or two slices of gluten-free pizza loaded with healthy organic vegetables
• A Mexican burrito wrapped in a corn or rice tortilla instead of a flour tortilla
• Healthier versions of some of my favorite Peruvian dishes

For dessert, I enjoy:

• Chocolate flan made with coconut or macadamia milk and sweetened with monk fruit
• Carrot or chocolate cake made with oat and macadamia flour and monk fruit
• A few pieces of organic dark chocolate (regular or sugar-free)
• Plain Greek yogurt topped with berries, walnuts, and grated dark chocolate
• My favorite—homemade chocolate ice cream made with coconut milk

The secret, at least for me, was finding healthier versions of my favorite recipes, keeping portions reasonable, and following my healthy eating plan about 80% of the time.

If you have a special occasion or are celebrating with family and friends, don’t feel guilty about enjoying your favorite foods in moderation—as long as you don’t have an allergy or medical reason to avoid them.

Other Changes That Helped Me

Here are a few additional habits that became part of my routine:

• I replaced regular flour with oat or nut flours when making bread.
• I replaced cow’s milk with plant-based alternatives such as macadamia or coconut milk.
• Most of my meals consisted of homemade soups with organic chicken and vegetables (using miracle noodles) or salads with clean sources of protein.
• My favorite protein sources included wild Alaskan salmon and, occasionally, grass-fed beef or lamb.
• I generally ate two meals a day with a modest snack between meals, such as a handful of walnuts or a small green apple.
• I limited my intake of broccoli, spinach, cabbage, and cauliflower because I had read they may interfere with iodine absorption when eaten in large amounts.
• I eventually developed an allergy to almonds and several other nuts, so I switched to macadamia and walnuts instead. If you’re sensitive to almond milk, macadamia or coconut milk may be good alternatives.
• To support my gut health, I regularly ate plain Greek yogurt with berries, kombucha, and jicama kimchi.

Remember, from my experience, having difficulty losing weight often goes hand in hand with hormone imbalances. That’s why I found that diet alone wasn’t enough. My biggest improvements came from combining thyroid medication, correcting nutritional deficiencies, reducing stress, and improving my eating habits.

These are simply the dietary guidelines that worked for me. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, so you’ll need to tailor your diet to your own health needs and work with your healthcare provider to determine what’s best for you.

If you’re already eating a healthy diet but still aren’t reaching your health goals, appropriate supplementation may be another option to discuss with your healthcare provider.

How do Thyroid Supplements Work and How can they make you Feel Better?

Your body needs specific nutrients to produce thyroid hormones. These nutrients act as the building blocks required for normal thyroid hormone production, and when deficiencies exist, appropriate supplementation may help restore them.

Iodine, iron, and tyrosine are all required for your thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. If you are deficient in any of these nutrients, your body may not be able to produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormone. As a result, you may experience symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, depression, hair loss, and more.

Correcting nutritional deficiencies may help your body produce thyroid hormones more efficiently and, in some individuals, improve hypothyroid symptoms. Another way supplements may support thyroid health is by helping with thyroid hormone conversion.

Most of the thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland is in the form of T4. However, T4 is largely inactive until your body converts it into T3, the biologically active form that your cells can use.

This conversion is carried out by enzymes called deiodinases, which require selenium to function properly. Maintaining adequate selenium levels may help support this important conversion process.

Balancing the function of other hormone-producing glands may also help support healthy thyroid function. The adrenal glands produce cortisol, while the ovaries and testes produce sex hormones. Because these hormone systems interact with one another, addressing imbalances may also help support healthy thyroid hormone levels. As with any supplement, it’s important to understand why you’re taking it and to avoid supplementing unnecessarily.

Consider Adding Thyroid Supplements to your Treatment Plan

For some people, thyroid supplements may help correct nutritional deficiencies and provide the nutrients your body needs to support healthy thyroid function.

That said, maintaining a healthy diet, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly are just as important as taking supplements.

Whenever possible, try to obtain vitamins and minerals from a healthy diet. If you’d like to learn more about which vitamins and supplements may support hypothyroidism, I invite you to read my article, Top Supplements for Women Managing Hypothyroidism Symptoms.

The main point is that sometimes our bodies need a little extra support. When appropriate, supplementation may help fill nutritional gaps that diet alone cannot provide.

Have you discussed supplements with your doctor? Is your healthcare provider open to incorporating them into your treatment plan?

These thyroid supplements, when used appropriately, may help support thyroid function and overall health:

• Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin B12
• Zinc with Copper
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Selenium
• Probiotics
• Iodine

If you’d like to learn more about individual vitamins and minerals, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements offers evidence-based consumer fact sheets on many of the nutrients mentioned above.

Supplements can support your health goals, but quality matters. If you have hypothyroidism and are looking for a thyroid supplement, I recommend looking for products with the following characteristics:

• Free of gluten, dairy, soy, artificial sweeteners, GMOs, artificial colors, and artificial preservatives
• Contains activated or methylated B vitamins
• Provides therapeutic amounts of key vitamins and minerals

Can Supplements Interfere with my Thyroid Medications?

Yes, some supplements can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication. That’s one reason many doctors recommend taking thyroid medication separately from vitamins and minerals.

The American Thyroid Association also recommends discussing supplements with your healthcare provider and taking certain supplements at a different time than your thyroid medication to help avoid absorption issues.

One simple solution is to avoid taking your supplements at the same time as your thyroid medication.

Don’t take supplements recklessly. They should always have a specific purpose and be used when dietary measures alone are not enough.

What other Measures can we Employ to Optimize our Thyroid Health?

I also became more aware of the harmful chemicals we encounter in everyday life.

Some additional habits I follow include:

• Avoid handling thermal paper receipts whenever possible, as they may contain bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical.
• Drink from glass cups or containers instead of plastic whenever possible.
• Drink filtered water whenever possible. Even a basic water filter may help reduce certain contaminants.
• Avoid consuming foods or beverages stored in plastic containers, including bottled water, since plastics may contain phthalates and other chemicals that can act as endocrine disruptors.
• Avoid older plastic toys whenever possible.
• Choose organic foods and grass-fed meats whenever practical to reduce exposure to pesticides and added hormones.
• Avoid personal care products that list “fragrance” or “parfum” whenever possible, as they may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
• Check your cosmetics for potentially harmful ingredients using the Skin Deep® database from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). 
• If you use cosmetics regularly, you may also find my article on this topic helpful.

If you’re interested in learning more about how I reduced my exposure to potentially harmful ingredients, you may also enjoy my article, How I Replaced Mass-market Cosmetics with Natural Alternatives.

Many cosmetics contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and being mindful of the products you use may be another small step toward supporting your overall health.

Conclusion

In my experience, some traditional endocrinologists focus primarily on medication management and may place less emphasis on lifestyle, nutrition, and other factors that can influence overall health.

The turning point in my healing journey came when I decided to take an active role in my own health. I began learning about my body, understanding my condition, and searching for a doctor whose approach aligned with my goals.

I eventually found a physician who looked beyond simply prescribing Levothyroxine. Together, we developed a personalized treatment plan that included medication, nutritional support, dietary changes, exercise, and strategies for managing both emotional and physical stress.

My doctor took the time to look for the underlying factors that could be contributing to my hormone imbalances instead of focusing only on my thyroid gland. We also discussed supplements that might help support my overall health when appropriate.

What made this experience so meaningful was that my doctor viewed my health as a whole. She listened carefully, educated me throughout the process, and treated me as a partner in my own care. I believe every patient deserves that kind of relationship with their healthcare provider.

Choose your healthcare providers wisely, and never stop learning about your own health. If one approach isn’t giving you the answers you’re looking for, continue asking questions and exploring your options with qualified professionals.

You deserve to feel your best. Don’t settle when it comes to your health.

If you’ve made it this far, you were probably searching for answers. I hope this article has helped point you in the right direction. There’s plenty more information throughout this website, and I hope you’ll stay awhile and continue exploring the resources I’ve shared.