In Episode 54 of The Holistic Nutritionists Podcast, Natalie Douglas and Kate Callaghan discuss Thyroid supplements, testing, diagnosis and what to take for Thyroid health.

• Identifying an underactive thyroid and how to test it properly
• Improving thyroid function despite having Hashimoto’s and being on medication
• Fertility, pregnancy and thyroid health
• Foods that hurt and heal your thyroid
• What are the top triggers and root causes of thyroid issues
• Thoughts on thyroid medications 
• Nat’s epic upcoming Thyroid Rescue Program to take you from tired and confused to thriving and confident 

Are you looking for 1-to-1 support and a step-by-step healing process to overcome your debilitating Thyroid issues? Take a look at my signature program, “Thyroid Rescue” today

Intro 0:00
Hello and welcome to The Holistic Nutritionists Podcast, with your hosts Natalie K. Douglas, Thyroid Healer, and Kate Callaghan, The Holistic Nutritionist. Nat and Kate are degree-qualified dietitians and nutritionists, certified fitness instructors, speakers, and authors. If you love unfiltered banter, unedited bloopers, and authentic heart-sharing, then we are your ladies! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and get ready for our latest tips on living your healthiest life possible.

Kate Callaghan 0:35
Hello, everyone, and welcome to episode what we think is 54 of the Holistic Nutritionists Podcast.

Natalie K. Douglas
But don’t quote us.

Kate Callaghan
Nat, how are you going?

Natalie K. Douglas 0:46
I’m good, I’m good. How are you?

Kate Callaghan 0:49
Good, thank you. So we’re going to try and not waffle too much today because we have something a little bit different and something really, really exciting. I am actually going to interview Nat, all about thyroid health. So we’re going to do a bit of a thyroid Q and A and then we’re going to talk about Nat’s awesome new thyroid rescue program coming up because it’s incredible and you need to know all about it. So that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to dive straight in. But what we have to do first, obviously is really quickly ask Nat, what’s her breakfast.

Natalie K. Douglas 1:21
I haven’t had breakfast yet because I got off a bit too, too late, but I’m thinking about eating. Actually, I feel like a smoothie this morning. I’ve been into, I’m doing a bit of a strategic detox at the moment and I happen to have one it like my protein powder that has all my detox herbs in it is like an all in one kind of herb-y like I just easy to chuck all the shit into one thing. So, that’s what I’ve been doing. So, probably a smoothie this morning.

Kate Callaghan 1:49
Can I ask what brand of protein powder that is?

Natalie K. Douglas 1:51
So at the moment, I’m actually using Stephen Cabral’s, daily nutrition support formula. I believe it’s cold so it has some activated base in it. Like it’s got like a multivitamin built into it. And then I also it also has a few herbs in there. And then I chuck a whole bunch of other liver detox things in there like N-Acetyl Cysteine and a bit of like charcoal, and chlorella, and things like that.

Kate Callaghan
Fancy.

Natalie K. Douglas
I am a bit fancy. I know I feel like I should be sitting in a cafe with something like cool sunnies and looking all hipster with my smoothie. It actually looks like poo.

Kate Callaghan 2:29
It does reminded me of the Bondi Hipsters. Anyway, we are not waffling today, so we’re going to get straight into some questions. So Nat and I both put out on to our socials yesterday. A call for any questions around thyroid health. And we got a lot of questions comes back through. So we’re going to do our best to get through as many as we can, but probably will have to break it up into two episodes, we’ll see how we go. So if you have submitted a question, and we don’t answer it today, don’t think we haven’t got your question, and we’re just choosing to ignore you. We are just kind of breaking things up a little bit, okay? Alright, so Nat, are you ready?

Natalie K. Douglas 3:13
Are you ready? Yes, I am.

Kate Callaghan 3:17
Alright, so when you talk about getting your thyroid checked properly, what does that mean? So if someone asked the GP to check their thyroid, and it comes back normal, what is that is that comprehensive testing or what what is comprehensive testing?

Natalie K. Douglas 3:32
The chances that that is comprehensive testing are very low, so in Australia and New Zealand, and probably the US as well, but let’s just talk about those two, because that’s what I’m sure of. When you go to the doctor, and you ask for your thyroid to be tested, they will test one marker, maybe two out of about probably six, so they’ll likely test TSH and maybe T-4 if you’re lucky. And it’s definitely not comprehensive because your thyroid is like this really well-structured machine that works on negative feedback. So when something’s low, then it causes, you know, a signal to go off. And it’s, it’s really kind of like a thermostat like it’s really, it’s it works very sophisticated in a really sophisticated way. So to try and just test one or two markers is really not giving you any information. So in terms of testing it comprehensively, the markers I’ll list out are what you should get tested. But what I’d say is that, even if you manage to convince your doctor to test all these markers, I would not get them to be the only person interpreting the results unless they are a more integrative practitioner, because what they’re often looking for is that those results for those markers fall within the normal range and the normal range isn’t necessarily the optimal range. So the markers that you’re wanting to get tested if you’re doing a comprehensive check would be TSH, free T-4, free T-3, and I would be doing thyroid antibodies as well. So there’s three types of thyroid antibodies there’s thyroid peroxidase, thyroid globulin, and thyroid receptor antibodies. Some people also do reverse T-3. It’s I personally, I think it’s a great market, but I don’t think it’s always necessary, and it’s very expensive. So, I don’t always order that one for people. But you know, if you have the money to spend, by all means, go for it. The other one that I often order or the other two, I often or particularly if I have someone who I highly suspect thyroid issues in it is random urinary iodine and a red cell Selenium because they’re two of two really important co-factors that influence thyroid function. So making sure that you’re doing the test first thing in the morning is also really important and making sure you don’t take any supplements in the morning or medications, the morning of like thyroid medications, the morning of the test. And then making sure as I said, you’re getting that interpreted by someone who is looking for optimal levels as opposed to just the absence of disease.

Kate Callaghan 6:15
Thank you, that’s very thorough. Oh, yeah, in New Zealand, we can’t get rid with those T-3, and it’s quite tricky to get the others but if you push for it, and if you say I’ll pay for it, then hopefully they will test for it, if not, go and see another doctor. I think T-3 is like $15 to get a T-3 done. The thyroid antibodies might be a little bit more, but it is definitely worth it. Especially if you think you have a thyroid condition, especially if you’re going through fertility. I know a lot of people who are going through fertility treatment and haven’t had thorough thyroid testing, which is disappointing to say the least. Alright, listen to question number two, as someone diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and on thyroxine, what other things can I do to support thyroid health, and is it possible to make your thyroid functionally normal again, even after having Hashimoto’s for years and being on thyroxine for years?

Natalie K. Douglas 7:09
Okay, so for those whose listening who don’t know thyroxine, it’s T-4 thyroid replacement. So it’s the most common thyroid medication that’s prescribed in Australia and New Zealand and probably worldwide. So I might actually answer that in reverse order. So yes, it is absolutely possible to reclaim your thyroid function even after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and being on thyroid medication for years. Whether or not you need to stay on thyroid medication for life to assist with that really depends on how much of the thyroid gland has been destroyed. And that will be different for everyone. And personally, I think thyroid medication is perfectly safe and often effective, like an effective part of managing people’s symptoms. And I think the main goal with healing should be focused more around how you feel, not whether or not you need the assistance of some thyroid medication. Because so, thyroid medication like thyroxine is identical to the molecule found in your body like so the molecule that your your body produces is identical to that T-4 replacement. So it’s not like the pill, for example, where you’re supplementing with, like a completely foreign and different molecule. So I just really wanted to point that out because a lot of people can feel like they’ve failed when they take medication for their thyroid issues. But I just see it as another tool for many, that can actually help make you feel better. And it doesn’t take away from addressing the root causes and preventing further destruction of the thyroid gland. But it can be a helpful part of that. And then so the second part of that question, so testing your levels to ensure your thyroid labs are optimal, not just normal is one place to start and getting someone as I said, on your side that can understand what exactly your labs mean from an optimal perspective and also taking in consideration how you feel, because labs are amazing, and I absolutely use them and recommend them but they’re not the whole story. So there are certain thyroid patterns, certain thyroid issues that won’t actually show up on a lab but you’ll still have hypothyroidism at more of a cellular level. So when we’re talking about addressing the root causes, which is the other thing that I’d really recommend in this kind of situation is that you want to find the trigger behind Hashimoto’s and that will help prevent further damage when you address that trigger. So the main root causes or the main triggers are gut infections or imbalances, food intolerances, other chronic infections, mold toxicity, dental infections or mercury fillings, heavy metal toxicities, nutrient deficiencies, breast implants, and high stress. And I also mentioned here that if all of those docks are in a row, but you’re still feeling symptomatic, then also looking into other thyroid medication options is not everyone responds well to thyroxine alone some people do better with compounded T-4 and T-3, T-3 only or natural desiccated thyroid extract. But please do not self medicate or purchase thyroid extract off the internet without medical supervision because those thyroid extracts that are sold on the internet that you can just buy as a consumer and not standardized in in a close range to the amount of T-4 and T-3 they contain and that is not good for like for your thyroid because you really want a consistent amount of thyroid hormones coming in. So that’s why it is, although difficult sometimes to get doctors to prescribe compounded T-4 and T-3 or natural desiccated thyroid extract. It is really worth finding someone that will that you can work with because it’s not a good idea to play with your medications on your own when it comes to thyroid health.

Kate Callaghan 11:06
100% agree and I’m glad you said that if people need to take medication for their thyroid it’s it’s really not a failure because I’m sure like me, I mean people come to us because they are interested in natural healing remedies and so when they’ve got a thyroid issue and we say you know, maybe the medication would be helpful that kind of thing. No, I want to do this naturally and I’m always of the opinion as exactly as you said thyroid medication is quite different to others and thyroid is so important that you kind of want to go down that route even if it is just temporarily.

Natalie K. Douglas 11:41
Yeah, exactly. I don’t think it’s a failure at all.

Kate Callaghan 11:42
Yeah, I took I took thyroid medication for a while. I took desiccated thyroid. Yeah.

Natalie K. Douglas 11:46
I took T-3 for a bit actually as well.

Kate Callaghan
Yeah.

Natalie K. Douglas
There you go. We’re all thyroid medication buddies here.

Kate Callaghan 11:57
But yes, obviously with the doctor and the when you first going on it well, they check and regulates should be levels beforehand. And obviously if you don’t feel good on your first dose, go and check to your doctor.

Natalie K. Douglas
Yes.

Kate Callaghan
And as Nat said, don’t don’t adjust it and don’t just stop taking it or take more and yeah, cool. All right, question number three, what are the top five things to do if you suspect hypothyroidism but don’t have testing budget and want to try and get on track yourself first.

Natalie K. Douglas 12:24
This is really hard to like put it down to five things but if I have to choose five things that we’re free to do, I would say like in terms of starting to heal yourself. I would say manage your stress, prioritize your sleep, reduce your toxic load, so you know switch over to natural cleaning products, natural hair care, personal care, all that kind of stuff. Remove gluten, dairy, and and processed sugar like high amounts of you know like if you’re having a lot of dried fruit or you’re having like a lot of if you’re having soft drink or like junk food, that kind of thing and ate an anti-inflammatory diet. So really trying to focus on foods that we know fight inflammation, like plenty of you know, vegetables, high-quality animal protein, healthy fats like avocado and coconut oil, and olive oil, and all those kind of things. So I would say those would be my my five, but you’re limiting me so don’t judge me.

Kate Callaghan 13:29
And what are your thoughts on basal body temperature tracking?

Natalie K. Douglas 13:32
Yes, I wanted to add that in but I was like she said follow up. So, I’m glad I was hoping that you would say it. So yeah, I think basal body temperature tracking is a really really good thing to do. Actually, Kate, I often refer people to your your blog post you did ages and ages ago on body temperature tracking. I think it’s a really, really, really effective blog post in explaining how to do it. So I’ll put pop that in the show notes but I do think monitoring your basal body temperature is a great idea. It’s free, it’s easy, but just know that other things can throw off your body temperature as well but all of that outlined in Kate’s in Kate’s post so I’ll pop that in the show notes as well.

Kate Callaghan 14:12
Thanks.

Natalie K. Douglas
No, probs.

Kate Callaghan
Alright, question four. I’ve got hyperthyroidism and I’m on oroxine, is it okay to take L-thyroxine and L-lysine?

Natalie K. Douglas 14:26
Okay, so oroxine is just tea for medication as well, just another brand name for thyroxine. So yes, it’s safe to take both of those things but in my opinion, it like it may not be the thing for you, and probably not what I would first being called in that situation. So I’d encourage you to speak to a practitioner about other supplement options, perhaps things more targeted at controlling the immune system. So things like vitamin D, selenium, and inositol have been really shown to be quite effective at reducing thyroid antibodies. Zinc is another good immune-supporting nutrient, or also nutrients that help with the conversion of your oroxine, which is T-4 medication into activity T-3. So those would be more things like iron particularly if it’s low. So I’d be testing that first, selenium, and zinc comes up again there. I would work with someone before self-prescribing in this instance, because there’s so many things that could help your thyroid and it’s, and you don’t need all of them. And so it’s really about getting some thorough lab tests done and getting someone to help you target that supplementation. And also making sure that you’re being monitored, because, for example, iron and selenium awesome things to supplement with when you need them but you don’t, you shouldn’t have them in excess amounts. So that’s why it’s important not to kind of just go out and buy all of them. You could probably get away safely with like 1000 IU of vitamin D a day. I don’t think that anyone would like have an issue from that but in terms of actually getting targeted supplementation, it’s better to talk with someone.

Kate Callaghan 16:07
Do you mention quickly what L-thyroxine and L-lysine are, and why someone might want to take them?

Natalie K. Douglas 16:13
Yeah, so L-thyroxine is an amino acid and it’s one of the building blocks to form your thyroid hormone. So that can be really helpful if the reason your thyroid is under-functioning is because it’s lacking the materials to build the thyroid hormone. So that happens a lot when people are following like a vegan or vegetarian diet, or a really low protein diet because our amino acids are found in our protein-rich foods, L-lysine again is another amino acid, I actually do use that when someone is has like one of their root causes is Epstein-Barr virus so EBV. L-lysine can be really helpful at decreasing viral load. So if your Hashimoto’s has been triggered by a viral a viral trigger, then that can be helpful in that instance. But again, those two could completely not be the root causes of your Hashimoto’s and your thyroid issues and therefore taking them. It might not be necessarily dangerous, depending on the dose you take, but it’s not going to be effective and you’ll be wasting your money.

Kate Callaghan 17:24
Okay, thank you.

Natalie K. Douglas
Nice.

Kate Callaghan
Question number five. If you suspect you have a thyroid issue, how do you lose weight? I’m guessing they’re talking about underactive thyroid here.

Natalie K. Douglas 17:37
Yes. So again, really, really common to have weight loss issues when you have an underactive thyroid because your thyroid dictates your metabolic rate. I would find out if you have a thyroid issue first by doing some comprehensive testing, as we mentioned above. So making sure that you’re getting a full thyroid panel and getting someone to interpret the results because it’s not just about the numbers that come back from those panels. It’s also about the relationship between all of those markers that can indicate what exactly is going on for you. So by looking at how those numbers are appearing, in relationship with each other can indicate whether the issue is caused from a nutrient deficiency, because of inflammation, because of high cortisol. But you’re like, you’re not going to know that unless you are, you know, practicing in this space. And that’s why I think it’s so worth the investment of just even getting someone to set you on the right track with that kind of thing. It’s not to say you have to go and see someone every single month, a year, like you may have to do that if you’re super unwell. But to just get on the right track, I feel like it’s worth the investment to get someone to order thyroid testing for you, interpret it, see what’s going on, and at least point you in the right direction. A few very basic things I’d also recommend across the board would be to, as I kind of said before manage your stress because your stress levels have a huge impact on your thyroid, try eliminating the gluten in the dairy, make sure you’re not doing any super long fasting or eating a really low carb diet and make sure that your exercise volume is also sensible. Someone also wrote in about water attention and puffiness, which is super common in thyroid conditions as well, because your thyroid influences, well a lot of things in your body but one thing would be fluid balance. So, to get rid of that water retention, which we can often feel is weight gain. And you know, I guess it’s easy in a sense, because you will weigh more if you’ve got more water if you’re retaining more water, but it’s kind of different to retaining body fat. So the best thing to do is to address again, the root cause of the thyroid issue and start to decrease inflammation because as you decrease inflammation, a lot of that waterway and puffiness will also go because more inflammation equals more water attention for the most part. So really getting rid of any pro-inflammatory foods and doing a bit of a reset. So I’m talking about temporarily eliminating things like gluten, soy, dairy, sugar, alcohol, industrial seed oils, caffeine, grains, legumes for a lot of people, particularly if you do have Hashimoto’s, and not just an underactive thyroid, and really focusing on whole foods that are unprocessed. So personally, I see the autoimmune paleo protocol work really well for people to bring down inflammation quickly but I don’t think that people need to remain that restricted forever and my goal is always to bring people out of that eventually after they’ve brought down the inflammation in their body.

Kate Callaghan 20:49
Lots of great tips.

Natalie K. Douglas
Thanks.

Kate Callaghan
Thanks. Okay, question number six. I have read that an underactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s can increase your risk for miscarriage, is that true? And we actually have a few questions around fertility issues and their relationship to thyroid health if thyroid function or lack thereof, can affect fertility?

Natalie K. Douglas 21:13
Yeah, so um, I’ll address it like, partly from my perspective, and if there’s anything I’ve missed out Kate, feel free to add your two cents in because you obviously deal a lot with fertility issues and hormonal issues, and I’m sure that there would be something to add. So it is true that hashimoto’s and an underactive thyroid can increase your risk for miscarriage. And I’m really super duper duper passionate about all women getting properly screened before they even start trying to fall pregnant, it’s really important that your TSH is below two. And we work to bring down your antibodies as much as possible if they are present. And also that your iodine is above 150 micrograms per liter. And that’s a minimum when going into pregnancy and making sure that if you are actively trying to conceive that you don’t wait for a missed period to confirm your pregnancy, but try to confirm it as soon as possible. And as soon as you’ve confirmed that you are pregnant, particularly if you if you know you’ve got antibodies, you know, you’ve got a thyroid issue, making sure you insist on having your thyroid tested ASAP. So a lot of people will wait for that until something like you know, week eight, or you know, when they have an appointment around that time, and I think that that is far too long, because one of the biggest risks for miscarriage in relation to thyroid issues is between about week four and week eight. So you really want to be jumping on to some testing early because there are a lot of both medical and natural interventions that can be used, including thyroid medication to keep your TSH in a safe range, and to help mitigate that risk as well. In terms of thyroid issues relating to fertility issues. Yes, absolutely. And there are lots of ways that the thyroid influences fertility. And of course, one is the above but the other and one that’s a bit easier to understand is that your ovaries need energy to make ovulation happen and thyroid hormone is that energy. So you can imagine if you don’t have enough of it, it’s not going to be it like it’s going to be super hard to make that whole process and process happen successfully. Kate, do you have anything to kind of add to that, or even just things that you’ve seen in, in practice in relation to fertility and thyroid issues?

Kate Callaghan 23:40
Yeah, I’ve seen it a lot, unfortunately. And sometimes in the context of women going through multiple rounds of IVF, with undiagnosed thyroid issues, which breaks my heart because you know, it’s a financial burden of IVF, and the emotional burden and physical burden of going through IVF and that can potentially be avoided if the thyroid had been treated at the start. So definitely, definitely, please push with thyroid testing before you go into any of this. Even if you have to pay for it. I mean, in the context of things, what IVF is 17 grand or something. Testing your thyroid might be max a couple of hundred dollars, and it could save you around to have IVF, potentially.

Natalie K. Douglas
Yeah.

Kate Callaghan
And then as you said Nat, getting tested as soon as you conceive and basal body temperature tracking, this is where that can play a role as well because when you’re testing your temperature after you ovulate your temperature will shift up. And so usually after about 14 days, the temperature will stay elevated for this 14 days, and it’ll start to drop again when your period stops but if your temperature stays elevated for 18 days or more, you will probably pregnant and that’s a good time to test. And that means you would be you know, 18 days pregnant, which is getting it quite early and really, really important. And then when you are pregnant, if you have thyroid issues, or had thyroid issues in the past getting tested every six weeks during pregnancy.

Natalie K. Douglas
Yes.

Kate Callaghan
Which is it seems like a lot and trust me I know it’s a lot. I hate needles.

Natalie K. Douglas
Oh, really? I don’t mind them.

Kate Callaghan
Especially when it’s really freezing cold in winter and your veins don’t want to come in. There were times when I was doing handstands in my living room to try and get my veins to pull it up.

Natalie K. Douglas
Oh, my gosh.

Kate Callaghan
No shit, but it’s really important to get those tested regularly.

Natalie K. Douglas
Yeah, I completely agree.

Kate Callaghan
That’s it. I mean, looking at growth retardation and cretinism and quite serious concerns with the baby. If you don’t keep that under control, it’s not like, you know, you might have some issues. It’s like no, your baby could be severely.

Natalie K. Douglas
Yeah. Absolutely.

Kate Callaghan 25:54
If you don’t lose the baby altogether,

Natalie K. Douglas
Yeah, exactly. I think it.

Kate Callaghan
But yeah.

Natalie K. Douglas 25:57
Yeah, being proactive about it and like, you like investing in proper proper testing regularly is really, really important. And getting someone on your side that is also on board with that, because otherwise, it can be super stressful feeling like worried that you’re not being properly looked after. So I would, yes, try and find someone that you can work with that will insist on doing that testing, whether it’s a doctor or a naturopath or a midwife, like whoever like someone that can be in your corner advocating for that testing.

Kate Callaghan 26:36
Absolutely. And in New Zealand, naturopaths and natural health practitioners can actually order your kits through Southern laboratories or if you don’t says no, go and see a natural health practitioner, they can order one for you.

Natalie K. Douglas 26:47
Yeah, and in Australia, same deal. There’s a quite a few different testing companies that naturopaths and nutritionists can use to order pathology testing. In Australia, there’s also a couple of options where you can order your own tests without any practitioner. But I would still even if you do that, so there’s there’s I-medical when I screen. But even if you did that, you need someone to interpret them. So don’t just do that and be like oh, they they like nothing saying high or low, like do not take that at face value. Fine, if you want to go and order that but make sure you’ve got someone helping to interpret those results. And also, like I would probably say, it’s even better to just get someone to like, I think it’s preferable to get someone to order them for you or direct you to that because then you you know, they’re ordering what they know they need to see as opposed to you just guessing what you think is the best thing because although we’ve mentioned all the the comprehensive thyroid testing, there might be something else that would be helpful for us to know about you. And therefore, you know, it’s better to just get that all done in one go as opposed to having to go back and forth from the pathology lab.

Kate Callaghan 28:00
Yeah, I concur. All right. I think we might leave the other questions for part two. So let’s switch gears a little bit and talk about your upcoming thyroid rescue program, which is very exciting.

Natalie K. Douglas
So, exciting.

Kate Callaghan
So, can you tell us a little bit more about it? Who’s it for?

Natalie K. Douglas 28:24
Yes. So, very exciting. So as you mentioned, it is called thyroid rescue. And it’s a 12-week Transformation Program for women who are currently suffering from an underactive thyroid, Hashimotos, or who have all the symptoms of an underactive thyroid, but haven’t been officially diagnosed. Because in my experience, if you’ve got all of the symptoms, then usually there’s a thyroid issue or an adrenal issue, and both things are addressed in the program.

Kate Callaghan 28:51
Cool. And really, the things that you’re going to be doing isn’t going to cause harm if there isn’t a thyroid issue?

Natalie K. Douglas
Not, definitely, not.

Kate Callaghan
Yeah. Awesome. So what was your motivation behind creating this program?

Natalie K. Douglas 29:04
Well, a few things. So I’ve noticed that as I’ve kind of moved further and further into thyroid health, there are so many women that have been really quite let down by the modern medical system. And you know, these these people come to me after their, you know, well many in GP has told them that their thyroid is fine and often they have been living with this struggle for years. So it’s not uncommon for my thyroid clients to describe themselves as chronically tired as either depressed or anxious or switching between both or just not feeling like themselves. And they’re often doing everything they can to lose weight, but nothing is shifting, or it’s even increasing. And that can be so distressing. And they’re also very frustrated by the fact that their body isn’t cooperating. And they don’t understand why but then they’re also at a loss as to where to go from here. And these women are typically juggling busy lives, like study, or raising kids, or having a career or all three, which in itself is, is exhausting. And then I think the other difficult thing is that you can’t necessarily see that these women are unwell. So their partner or their family or friends just don’t get it and it’s often dismissed as just a bit of tiredness or stress. I’ve had people being called lazy by their friends or their partner and it just breaks my heart, because, you know, some of them are really struggling to get out of bed in the in the morning. For some people, their partners basically become, you know, somewhat cares for them doing, you know, everything that they wish that they could be doing. And that leaves, particularly a woman, especially when they have kids feeling, you know, really a lot of shame and a lot of guilt and a lot of failure around oh, why can’t I have the energy to do these things that I should be doing for my family or my children or whatnot. And I think another distressing situation that I find is that if their GP does pick up on their thyroid issues, most of them are either offered thyroid medications and or antidepressants alone. Like they’re some kind of silver bullet solutions, and then they just sent on their way. And the most that happens is their thyroid medication might be increased, but they tell their thyroid labs are normal. So thyroid rescue is really about helping these women get to the heart of their thyroid issues and get back in the driver’s seat of their health and their lives. And I’ve designed it like the program so that I can take them through a step-by-step transformation of their health and support them at every step along the way, and empower them with like the knowledge and the confidence to reclaim their health. Because I know for me when I was unwell, I just got to a point where I really lost hope and needed not just the practical how-to, but someone being like no, like this will happen, don’t give up there is a solution because I think he just kind of get to a point where you’re so tired of being tired, so tired of searching for solutions, so tired of people not believing you that you kind of you lose, you lose faith in in anyone having the solution. So it’s really about creating an environment, that feel that gives people hope again, and that, you know, that has other people going through the same same struggles and being able to support each other.

Kate Callaghan 32:31
Good on you. It’s It’s so important and so needed. And I think it’s something it’s sounds like you’ve got a really comprehensive program and I can really vouch for that. And the fact of the you know, the community aspect of it working through a program with other people going through a similar situation. I mean, that’s what I’ve got with my hypothalamic amenorrhea course and I would say the community part of it is probably one of the best aspects of it.

Natalie K. Douglas 32:57
Yeah, totally. And like I completely agree with that. I mean, and hypothalamic amenorrhea is another one of those things that you can’t really see. And the struggles like, you know, with with just eating more or exercising less or being consistent with stress management, like they’re all things that people just out there dismiss as not being hard or, you know, being simple solutions. But it doesn’t mean that they’re not extremely difficult. And I come like I agree, like if I did have HA once and if I had the choice to go through a program to help heal it, I would have done that in a heartbeat for sure.

Kate Callaghan 33:37
Me too, definitely would have stayed on track.

Natalie K. Douglas
Yeah, I know, ten steps backwards, one step forward.

Kate Callaghan
So, tell us a little bit more about what’s included in your program, please?

Natalie K. Douglas 33:49
Okay, so, so much. Like, oh my gosh, I’m so tired. This program has been like such a labor of love over the past like I recon two years. And I spent thousands of like embarrassingly like thousands of hours researching, writing, and developing the content. After seeing how well it works with my one-on-one clients. So it’s really about bringing together all of my clinical practice experience and knowledge into a super practical, fun, supportive 12-week journey. The goal is to see each woman experience a huge shift in their energy levels and health. And we approach things really strategically so that every week, they’ll be making small, easy changes to their diet, their mindset, their lifestyle, and their environment. One of the little secrets that I’ve found with helping my thyroid clients is that when we work together to fix their health issues, health in all areas, then their thyroid basically jumps on board and almost fixes itself. So thyroid rescue explores all the essential areas like healing the gut, supporting the adrenals, balancing hormones, detoxing your liver, and selectively working out the foods that either help or hinder their natural healing. So it’s, it’s, there is a method to my madness. And it’s although it was a jumble in my head to kind of put into something that was logical, it really, I’ve tried to create it in a really logical and practical way.

Kate Callaghan 35:21
Cool, and so do people get meal plans or recipes, anything like that?

Natalie K. Douglas 35:26
Yes, definitely. So I worked hand in hand with one of all who I believe is one of Australia’s best recipe developers and we came up with a really unique and powerful system to be able to get people to follow the meal plan in an easy way. So each of the meal plans is, is designed to support healing in a specific area of the body, as we move through the the kind of different phases of healing, so we change them every two weeks. And they include recipes that take under 30 minutes to prepare because I don’t know about you, but I don’t I don’t actually like being in the kitchen for long periods of time especially when I’m busy. All of the meal plans can be shopping lists, quantities, bulk prep strategies, tips on how to source the best quality ingredients at a at an affordable price. And most importantly, how to actually deal with a lot of the mental challenges that always come up whenever you’re making a commitment to change your diet or to go through a therapeutic healing journey because sometimes just staying the course is is half the battle. So really giving you practical tips and strategies on on how to help with that.

Kate Callaghan 36:32
Awesome sounds like something I need.

Natalie K. Douglas 36:39
Well, you can join. I can hook a sister up.

Kate Callaghan
Are you using any testing or supplements during the program or just food-based?

Natalie K. Douglas
Yes, both, both, actually. So everyone will get one-on-one sessions with me throughout the program. And we’ve developed a relationship with a private national pathology lab so everybody can get comprehensive thyroid panel tests done. This avoids the hassle of trying to argue with your doctor to get all the thyroid markers checked. And you know, not just TSH. I’ll personally review every single lab test too and during the consult, I’ll optimize the treatment options for each person along the way. It was really important for me to make thyroid rescue into an experience where clients get personalized support and great information because everybody is unique and needs kind of guidance along their healing journey that is unique to them as well.

Kate Callaghan 37:32
And so, outside of these one-on-one sessions, can people contact you? Can they come and knock on your door and bring you cookies?

Natalie K. Douglas 37:38
Oh, my God, I would love that. I will post my address in the support group. Gluten-free cookies, please. Anyway, definitely. So each week, there will be a live Q and A group video session, where we’ll address any general questions that come up along the way. Plus, we have a private Facebook support community for our little thyroid tribe to interact and I’ll be in there answering questions daily. A big part of the program is the community and sharing your wins and aha moments along the way. Plus, it’s, I know it’s great to see the different ways that different people approach challenges and also to really be able to celebrate the successes along the way. And another thing that the modules are also designed to be is a bit of a go at your own pace experience. So people can absorb the lessons and ask questions as they actively make changes in their lives, which I think is really beneficial. Otherwise, it can feel a bit like oh my god, like I have to keep up completely. So yeah.

Kate Callaghan 38:44
And I’m guessing because it’s online, I was asking if someone in Uzbekistan can join in?

Natalie K. Douglas 38:50
No, they can’t source. So further, were aiming to launch it in Australia and New Zealand. So we, at the moment, we’re just having a few logistical issues with some New Zealand pathology testing but hopefully that will be, yes, hopefully that’s going to be sorted. So definitely in Australia for the first round, hopefully in New Zealand for the first round, but people can just jump on to my website and register to get notified for when it’s when it’s released and fingers crossed but yeah, it’s it’s really aimed to be like an Australia, Australian and New Zealand focused thyroid rescue program, because there is slight differences in medication availability and testing availability for us compared to say, like the US and overseas. So I’m trying to create something that’s very quite specific to what’s available in now two countries.

Kate Callaghan 39:50
Cool. And if anyone’s in New Zealand and having issues which they will, probably if they go to a regular GP, just do know that you can order test through Southern laboratories just find a practitioner to get those tests for you. Yeah, you might need to pay for an initial consultation with them, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.

Natalie K. Douglas
Awesome.

Kate Callaghan
Or or speak to an integrative doctor, which would probably be a better idea. I know Tracy Chandler, in Dr. Wellness, she is incredible in testing for thyroid.

Natalie K. Douglas 40:21
Good one, I need to add her to my to my list. I’ve heard of her before, I don’t know I didn’t write her down in my list, she’s gonna go down to my list. That conversation was supposed to be inside my head.

Kate Callaghan 40:36
All right. That’s what we do. Alright, the next question. So besides food, and supplements, and blood testing, any other nuggets of wisdom that people will find in your epic course?

Natalie K. Douglas 40:47
Yes, yes. So as you and I always talk about on the podcast health is holistic. So we will absolutely be honoring that I cover off a whole range of areas like developing a healing mindset, generating your own motivation, stress management tools, detox in your environment, how to get a great night sleep, thyroid medication options in Australia and New Zealand because they’re quite different to the US. And a lot of the information online relates to the US and how to talk to your GP about all of your treatment options. Basically, I’ve very much left to no stone unturned and thyroid rescue is a complete health and lifestyle Transformation Program. So hopefully these beautiful women can get their energy back and get on with just like kicking butt at life.

Kate Callaghan 41:35
Awesome, awesome. Last question, kind of important when you thinking of opening the program? And where can people get more info?

Natalie K. Douglas 41:45
Okay, so we’ll be launching early March, and people can go to NatalieKDouglas.com and click on the link to thyroid rescue in the top menu. There’s a lot more information there and they just need to pop in their details and they’ll get notified of the launch webinar in a few weeks’ time. I do need to state that because this is the first time I’m running the program, I’m limiting it to 15 women. So it’ll be a first come first serve basis. But for now, people just need to go and check out my website and sign up for the webinar. And I’ll answer all their questions live when it launches.

Kate Callaghan 42:25
Perfect. Incredible. I’m excited. I’m excited for you. I’m excited for the women who was struggling with thyroid issues, who is actually more women in the world than should be struggling with thyroid issues and not getting proper help. So, yay! Thank you for creating this. Anything else you want to add my lady?

Natalie K. Douglas 42:41
No, nothing else to add just that, as Kate mentioned, we will get the rest of those thyroid questions answered in another Q and A shortly. So feel free to keep posting some questions if you do have more because there are quite a lot. A lot of them was similar so we tried to combine some but if your question as Kate said, if your question was not answered, do not worry it will be answered in the next Q and A episode.

Kate Callaghan
Cool, man.

Natalie K. Douglas
Alrighty. Well, thanks for interviewing me, that was fun. We’ll have to switch to a bit of a switcheroo. And I can interview you, but that was cool.

Kate Callaghan 43:21
Yeah, it was. I’m just gonna jump in any coattails and promote myself for a minute?

Natalie K. Douglas
All right, there we go.

Kate Callaghan
Not really, well, kind of. Yeah.

Natalie K. Douglas
Do it I dare you.

Kate Callaghan
Um, no, I just want to let people know because if you weren’t aware, I’m going to be traveling around Australia and New Zealand over the next four months teaching some Holistic Health workshops. So we’re going to integrate nutrition, essential oils, lifestyle, the whole lot to help you live a healthier and happier life. So this month, which is February, I’m going to be in Wanaka and I’m going to Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast from the 20th to the 25th of Feb. March, I’ll be going to Christchurch around the 15th of March. I’m also going to be going to Mt. Cook Village. So randomly if you’re in Mt. Cook Village, I was thinking it’s a population of a hundred but if you’re there.

Natalie K. Douglas
So they have a conception to listen to the podcast?

Kate Callaghan
I’m just going to go for a nature walk by myself, but that’s which is totally fine. I’ll use an excuse to to go away and get into the wilderness. April, I’m thinking about doing a little bit of a North Island tour in New Zealand. And then May, I am going to Sydney.

Natalie K. Douglas 44:35
Yay!

Kate Callaghan
Yeah.

Natalie K. Douglas
So do you have, like where you’re going in Sydney, or you’re just?

Kate Callaghan 44:42
Um, oh, actually it’s all probably do a little bit of stuff in the east.

Natalie K. Douglas
Yeah.

Kate Callaghan
Because that’s where most of my friends hang out. I will be staying in a city for a bit because doTERRA’s got their annual convention conference, learn, inspire, educate all that jazz. And then I will be going out Dural Way actually Dural and kind of North Sydney as well.

Natalie K. Douglas 45:08
Yeah, right. All right. Well, I’m just gonna hunt you down like a fan and find find where you at when you’re in Sydney.

Kate Callaghan
Do it.

Natalie K. Douglas
Awesome. All right. That’s, that’s great. And do you have those details anywhere else like written down? In terms of where you.

Kate Callaghan
Some of them.

Natalie K. Douglas
Okay. Website, Instagram, where can people like ask for you for information.

Kate Callaghan 45:29
Website, website, there is some I’m putting up more today.

Natalie K. Douglas
Awesome.

Kate Callaghan
So, some of the classes are open, there are some very few spots for one-on-one sessions, but a very few, and I will put them up kind of month-to-month as I go, or if I get more organized I’ll put them all up ahead of time.

Natalie K. Douglas 45:45
Awesome. Okay, cool. So pop the link in the show notes to your website and people can go check that out. That’s awesome. How exciting?

Kate Callaghan 45:52
It is exciting, getting out and actually meeting people in the real life.

Natalie K. Douglas 45:57
I know how good is like human connection in person.

Kate Callaghan 46:00
I had two workshops in the weekend. It was awesome. Just sitting down and actually connecting with people in the real life.

Natalie K. Douglas 46:05
Yeah, totally. It’s like do you have to leave like it’s not over yet, stay with me, could just be me.

Kate Callaghan
All right.

Natalie K. Douglas
Forget, that’s enough. We will talk to you guys soon. Thanks, Kate, for the interview, and I’m looking forward to the next Q and A.

Kate Callaghan 46:25
Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Nat. I’m excited about your program.

Natalie K. Douglas
Thank you. See you.

Kate Callaghan
Bye.

Outro 46:31
Thanks for tuning in to The Holistic Nutritionists Podcast. Remember, we love to make the show relevant to you. If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, just submit them to [email protected] and we’ll get them answered for you. Also, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes and share it with your friend. And if you’re looking for more info about how we can accelerate your journey to your optimal health, you can find Nat over at NatalieKDouglas.com, and Kate at TheHolisticNutritionist.com. See you next time!