It's all too common among high-achieving women – feeling completely run down, struggling with low moods, and anxiety, watching your hair thin out, and dealing with stubborn weight that you can’t shift.

So, why is this happening?

We all know that stress impacts our health, but why is it affecting our thyroid?

👉 The answer lies in cortisol, the primary stress hormone. 

Whether your cortisol levels are high or too low, both situations indicate that your stress response system isn’t working as it should. And when that happens, it directly affects your thyroid, blocking your body’s ability to produce, convert, and absorb the thyroid hormones you need to feel good.

I see this all the time with my clients. They've been through intense periods of stress, months or even years, and suddenly they start experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s. They’re exhausted, anxious, feeling low, and struggling to think clearly and lose weight.

What can you do about it?

Step 1️⃣: Get the right tests
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to get a comprehensive thyroid panel. I’m talking about more than just TSH – you need to check T4, T3, and your thyroid antibodies, too.

And don’t forget about your liver function, your liver plays a big role in converting T4 into the active T3 hormone. If your liver isn’t functioning well, that conversion won’t happen effectively, and you’ll feel it.

Step 2️⃣: Reduce stress as best you can
I know this is easier said than done, but reducing stress will go a long way toward supporting your thyroid. Regular, nutritious meals, cutting out processed foods, and getting to bed on time can make a huge difference.

Then, there’s the mental and emotional stress, the racing thoughts that keep you up at night and trigger your fight-or-flight response all day long. The biggest source of stress is mental and emotional stress, and that kind of thinking trips up the fight or flight response, releasing cortisol all day long because we can’t seem to let it go.

Step 3️⃣: Heal your gut
There’s a strong connection between your gut and your thyroid. If your gut isn’t healthy, your thyroid won’t be either. 

You can start by removing gluten from your diet. Today’s gluten, especially the GMO wheat we see in Australia and the U.S., is harsh on your gut microbiome. It’s designed to withstand high amounts of pesticides like Roundup, which kills the healthy bugs in your gut, leading to issues like leaky gut. And when your gut is compromised, it triggers inflammation that can throw your thyroid out.

Step 4️⃣: Support your liver
It’s time to support your liver, but don’t jump straight into a detox without fixing your gut first. If your gut isn’t functioning properly, all those toxins will just keep flowing into your liver, and you won’t get the results you’re looking for. Start with the basics; cut out caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, and sugar, then look at doing a liver detox.

Step 5️⃣: Get the right nutrients
Your thyroid needs certain nutrients to function properly; selenium, zinc, tyrosine, iodine, and even vitamin A are all important. 

But before you start taking supplements, you need to make sure you’ve laid the groundwork by addressing the stress, gut, and liver issues first. Once those are under control, these nutrients can really help get your thyroid back on track. Herbs like ashwagandha can also be a great support, helping to calm your nervous system and reduce cortisol levels.

What about medications?

If you’re on thyroid medication, keep in mind that it usually provides T4, which still needs to be converted into T3 by your body. So even if you’re taking medication, you might still experience symptoms if your liver isn’t functioning well or if you’re lacking in those essential co-factor nutrients. 

👉 I see so many women on thyroid meds who still feel tired, anxious, and foggy – this is why. It’s not just about the medication; it’s about supporting your whole system.