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In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, I interviewed Dr. Miles Nichols, DAOM, MSOM, LAc, who specializes in complex chronic conditions and precision medicine. Dr. Miles shares his own Hashimoto’s healing journey, which began in his early 20s when debilitating fatigue and brain fog made it difficult for him to wake up for class. After initially being told that nothing was wrong, he eventually discovered that his thyroid was part of the problem and began digging deeper into the potential root causes behind his symptoms.
What makes Dr. Miles’ story so fascinating is how many layers he uncovered along the way. From parietal cell antibodies and H. pylori to chronic infections, mold exposure, toxins, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental triggers, his experience is a powerful example of why Hashimoto’s isn’t always caused by one single trigger. We also discuss the advanced testing he uses with his patients, including thyroid, gut, toxin, immune, and nutritional testing, as well as newer tools like continuous glucose monitors and sleep trackers.
We also dive into some of the newer therapies Dr. Miles is excited about, including peptides, ozonated glycerin, and regenerative approaches, while discussing why addressing foundational factors like sleep, nutrition, stress, infections, and environmental exposures still needs to come first.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The overlooked connection between the gut and the thyroid: Dr. Miles shares a surprising discovery from his own health journey involving parietal cell antibodies and H. pylori. He explains how gut-related issues may affect thyroid and immune health, even when someone has no obvious digestive symptoms.
- What to investigate when the basics have already been addressed: What happens when someone has improved their diet, supported their gut health, prioritized sleep, and worked on stress, and has “normal” thyroid labs, but still doesn’t feel well? Dr. Miles explains what he investigates when a person has done the “right” things but continues to struggle with symptoms.
- The less obvious contributors to Hashimoto’s symptoms: Dr. Miles discusses the testing that can help uncover hidden factors, including nutrient deficiencies, immune markers, infections, and environmental exposures. He explains why examining these pieces together can provide more useful information than focusing on a single lab value.
- How environmental exposures may affect thyroid and immune health: Mold, chemicals, microplastics, and other environmental exposures may place additional stress on the body. Dr. Miles explains why identifying and, when possible, addressing the source of an exposure can be an important part of supporting recovery.
- What the future of thyroid care could look like: From peptides and nervous system therapies to emerging approaches focused on repair and regeneration, Dr. Miles shares the innovations he’s watching closely. He also explains why advanced therapies still need to be considered alongside foundational areas such as nutrition, sleep, stress, and gut health.
Connect with Dr. Miles
- Check out Dr. Miles’ website, Medicine with Heart
- Follow Dr. Miles on Instagram and Facebook
Tests & Diagnostics Discussed
- Comprehensive Thyroid Testing – A comprehensive thyroid panel may include TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies. You can get one through your doctor or self-order one from Ulta Labs.
- Parietal Cell Antibodies – An antibody test that can provide clues about autoimmune activity affecting the stomach and potential nutrient-absorption issues.
- H. pylori Testing – Testing used to identify Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial infection Dr. Miles discusses in connection with parietal cell and thyroid antibodies. It is included in the GI-MAP.
- GI Effects by Genova Diagnostics – A comprehensive stool analysis Dr. Miles uses to evaluate various aspects of gastrointestinal health.
- Gut IQ by US BioTek – A stool-based gut health test mentioned as another option for evaluating gastrointestinal issues.
- GI-MAP – A molecular stool test used to assess gastrointestinal microorganisms and other markers.
- Para Wellness – A Colorado-based laboratory Dr. Miles uses specifically for parasitology testing.
- ANA/ENA Panels – Immune testing that can help identify additional autoimmune activity or conditions beyond thyroid autoimmunity. Consult with your doctor or consider the self-order options for ANA and ENA from Ulta Labs.
- Homocysteine – A blood marker discussed in the context of methylation function and nutrient status.
- Genie by Progene DX – A transcriptomics-based test that evaluates patterns of gene expression that may be affected by certain toxin exposures.
- Mosaic Diagnostics Toxin Testing – Environmental toxin testing discussed as an option for identifying toxic burden.
Supplements Discussed
- High-glabridin licorice extract / GutGard – A form of licorice extract discussed as part of Dr. Miles’ approach to supporting the body in addressing H. pylori.
- Lactobacillus reuteri – A specific probiotic strain discussed for its ability to bind to H. pylori and help reduce its presence. Consider Microbiome Labs PyloGuard.
- Bismuth – An ingredient sometimes incorporated into H. pylori protocols when additional support is needed.
- Berberine – A botanical compound Dr. Miles mentions as another component that may be used in more comprehensive H. pylori protocols. Consider Rootcology Berberine.
- Creatine – Dr. Miles’ “one supplement” pick, which he discusses for its potential benefits for muscle, bone, and brain health, particularly during periods of stress or sleep deprivation. Consider this formulation.
- Glycine – An amino acid mentioned as part of a broader creatine-containing formulation Dr. Miles uses. Consider Designs for Health Glycine Powder.
Emerging Therapies
- Ozonated Glycerin – A newer ozone-based approach that Dr. Miles discusses as a potential tool for supporting immune and inflammatory regulation.
- Peptide Therapy –Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules in the body, helping regulate various biological processes. This category of therapies is discussed for immune regulation, inflammation, and tissue repair once underlying triggers have been addressed.
- BPC-157 – A peptide Dr. Miles discusses in the context of tissue repair.
- TB-500 – A peptide discussed for its potential role in repair and recovery.
- KPV – A peptide discussed for immune system regulation.
- Thymosin Alpha-1 – A peptide discussed for supporting immune regulation.
- VIP – A peptide administered as a nasal spray that Dr. Miles discusses in the context of neurological repair.
- Bioregulators – A category of emerging therapies Dr. Miles says may have potential applications in thyroid health, although he notes that more clinical experience is needed.
- Stem Cells & Exosomes – Regenerative approaches Dr. Miles discusses as potential future tools for repairing and regenerating damaged tissue.
- Stellate Ganglion Block – A procedure Dr. Miles mentions as a potential future tool for influencing nervous system regulation.
- Vagus Nerve Therapies – Emerging approaches discussed for helping regulate the nervous system and immune response.
Articles
- Hashimoto’s and Graves’ Remission after Helicobacter Pylori Eradication
- Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis and Hashimoto’s
- The Fundamental Gut Health Protocol
- 6 Root Causes Behind Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity
- Top 10 Thyroid Tests and How to Interpret Them
- Top 11 Things You Need to Know about Thyroid Medications
- The History of Natural Desiccated Thyroid Medications
- A Pharmacist’s Review of Medications for Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism
- Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Book by Dr. Izabella Wentz
- 115: Peptides for Thyroid Health? Breaking Through Fatigue, Brain Fog & Health Plateaus With Michael Antonell – Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast
Get the Full Episode Transcript
Let’s Connect!
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Got questions? Drop them in the comments! 🙂
About Our Host
Dr. Izabella Wentz
Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of chronic health conditions. Her passion stems from her own diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009, following a decade of debilitating symptoms.
Dr. Izabella Wentz has written several best-selling books, including the New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, the protocol-based #1 New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back, the Wall Street Journal bestseller Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, and Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Her latest book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is now out in the world, and available here!
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About Our Guest
Dr. Miles Nichols, DAOM, MSOM, LAc, is the founder of the Medicine With Heart Clinic and the Medicine With Heart Institute. His passion for helping others heal is deeply personal. Dr. Nichols grew up watching his father, a medical doctor focused on public health, dedicate his career to improving access to healthcare. When Dr. Nichols was 15, his father passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack. The loss profoundly impacted him and shaped his perspective on health and healing.
In his 20s, Dr. Nichols experienced chronic fatigue himself. Although his conventional doctors told him that everything looked fine, he continued to struggle and spent years seeing numerous specialists in search of answers. Eventually, he connected with a functional medicine mentor and began investigating potential underlying root causes. Through this process, he discovered several contributing factors, including subclinical thyroid dysfunction, autoimmune antibodies, mold illness, gut infections, sleep apnea, and chronic Lyme co-infections. By addressing these underlying issues through functional medicine approaches, Dr. Nichols was ultimately able to recover his energy and health.
That experience inspired his mission: to help others access something he wished he had during his own healing journey – a step-by-step, guided mind-body process for identifying and addressing root causes, naturally whenever possible. Today, through Medicine With Heart, Dr. Nichols and his team are dedicated to helping people better understand their health and supporting them on their individual healing journeys.
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