LISTEN TO THE PODCAST – Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
When I first began helping people with Hashimoto’s, I quickly learned that healing requires looking at the whole person, not just the thyroid. That’s why I was glad to sit down with registered dietitian (and fellow Hashimoto’s warrior) Nataliia Sanzo. Her story will sound familiar to many of us: a diagnosis that didn’t come with many answers, followed by a careful search for what actually helps day-to-day.
In this conversation, we cover practical ways to improve gut health, how to read stool tests without getting overwhelmed, why blood sugar and liver/gallbladder function matter more than most people realize, and how to reintroduce foods with confidence after a period of elimination. We also walk through common reasons for hair loss in Hashimoto’s and what can support regrowth.
What you’ll learn in this episode
- Gut health is central to autoimmunity. About 70% of the immune system lives in the gut. When the intestinal lining is irritated or “leaky,” the immune system stays on high alert, which can worsen thyroid symptoms. Nataliia shares which stool test markers matter most, such as short-chain fatty acids and signs of infections (like H. pylori), and how addressing them can help you shape your health plan.
- A good stool test saves guesswork. Beyond identifying infections, tests can show whether you’re making enough digestive enzymes or butyrate, and whether bile flow needs support. With that information, you can start with a focused protocol (diet and a few well-chosen supplements), see early improvements, and then transition to food-first maintenance.
- Food freedom is possible after elimination diets: With gut repair and nutrient repletion, Nataliia shares her step-by-step method for reintroducing foods safely and avoiding unnecessary long-term restriction.
- Hair loss has common, fixable drivers. Low free-T3, low ferritin (Nataliia aims for ferritin ≥70 ng/mL), zinc/selenium/B-vitamin gaps, high stress hormones, and gut infections are frequent contributors. Supporting T4-to-T3 conversion (through gut and liver care, and in some cases with T3-containing medication), replenishing iron stores, and calming inflammation can make a real difference.
- Blood sugar and bile flow quietly shape symptoms. Frequent spikes in blood sugar can increase inflammation and reduce T3 activation. Simple steps, such as a protein-forward plate and a 10-minute walk after meals, often help quickly. On the digestion side, healthy bile flow supports fat digestion and absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, and helps clear hormone byproducts.
- Why H. pylori deserves attention: Nataliia shares why this common infection often lingers unnoticed, driving histamine symptoms, food sensitivities, and even hair loss, and the treatment options that can make a profound difference.
Freebies
- FREE guide: Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and Supplement Protocol for Treating Hashimoto’s at Different Stages.
Guest Resources / Connect with Nataliia Sanzo
- Website: All Purpose Nutrition (Franklin/Nashville – telehealth available)
- Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Supplements We Discussed
- Selenium: Helps reduce thyroid inflammation and supports T4-to-T3 conversion. Consider Rootcology Selenium + Myo-inositol.
- Vitamin D3: Commonly low in Hashimoto’s; optimizing levels supports immune balance. Consider Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D 5000 IU.
- Myo-inositol: May support thyroid signaling and lower antibody trends in some people. Consider Rootcology Myo-Inositol Powder.
- Digestive enzymes with betaine HCl: Support protein and fat breakdown when stomach acid is low, improving nutrient absorption. Consider Rootcology Betaine With Pepsin.
- L-glutamine: Nourishes the intestinal lining and can support a healthier gut barrier. L-glutamine is also found in Rootcology Gut R&R.
- Butyrate: A short-chain fatty acid that calms gut inflammation and supports the mucosal lining.
- Probiotics and fermented foods: Help rebalance the microbiome; introduce carefully if you have SIBO or histamine issues. Consider Rootcology ProB 50.
- Curcumin (turmeric extract): Broad anti-inflammatory support for gut and systemic symptoms. Consider Rootcology Curcumin Absorb.
- Omega-3s (EPA/DHA): Support a healthier inflammatory response and can benefit hair, joints, and brain health. Consider Pure Encapsulations EPA/DHA Essentials.
- Iron and Zinc: Important for hair growth, thyroid hormone production, and immune function. Consider Pure Encapsulations Optiferin-C and Zinc 30.
- Berberine: Botanical support sometimes used in H. pylori protocols; also supports healthy insulin response. Consider Rootcology Berberine.
- Digestive bitters / apple cider vinegar / bile support: Encourage stomach acid and bile flow for better fat digestion and fat-soluble vitamin absorption.
Other Tools and Resources
- Stool testing with permeability (zonulin), pathogen/yeast screening, pancreatic elastase, calprotectin, and SCFA profile.
- Short post-meal walks (about 10 minutes): A simple way to smooth out blood sugar spikes and improve energy.
- Cycle and symptom tracking: Helps connect foods, sleep, stress, and supplements with how you feel, and with antibody patterns.
- Continuous glucose monitors: Offer a useful snapshot to uncover hidden blood sugar swings.
- Liver and gallbladder support: Cruciferous vegetables, bitters, hydration; targeted bile support when appropriate. Consider Rootcology Liver & Gallbladder Support.
Books and Articles About Thyroid Health
- IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Book by Dr. Izabella Wentz. Many people with Hashimoto’s have irritable bowel syndrome, which can be both a root cause and symptom of autoimmunity. This comprehensive guide reveals how irritable bowel syndrome is often a catch-all diagnosis that overlooks treatable root causes. It offers a step-by-step approach to help readers understand what’s really driving gut symptoms, and how to create a personalized plan to restore gut health and overall wellness. The book is available for preorder now and will be released March 17, 2026!
- Hashimoto’s Protocol – Book by Dr. Izabella Wentz.
- Selenium: The Nutrient That Can Reduce Thyroid Antibodies by 40%
- The Benefits of Vitamin D for Your Thyroid
- How Myo-inositol Can Improve Hashimoto’s Symptoms
- Hashimoto’s and Graves’ Remission after Helicobacter Pylori Eradication
- Food Sensitivities and Hashimoto’s
- Why Balancing Blood Sugar is Vital for Hashimoto’s Health
- Histamine and Hashimoto’s
- Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis and Hashimoto’s
- Strategies to Overcome Hair Loss with Hashimoto’s
- How Balancing Iron Levels Can Help Your Thyroid
Get the Full Episode Transcript
Let’s Connect!
- Follow me on Instagram:@izabellawentzpharmd
- Get my FREE weekly thyroid & gut health newsletter: Sign up here
- Subscribe & Review: If you loved this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate it on Spotify!
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 her latest book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Her latest book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, will be released March 17, 2026, and is available for pre-order here.
Thyroid Pharmacist Blog
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
Rootcology
About Our Guest
Nataliia Sanzo is a Licensed Registered Dietitian, Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and the founder of All Purpose Nutrition. Known as the Nashville Thyroid Expert, she specializes in autoimmune thyroid disorders with additional expertise in digestive health, food sensitivities, hormone imbalance, and gut-related conditions.
Since 2015, Nataliia has been helping clients manage Hashimoto’s disease and other autoimmune conditions using personalized, nutrition-centered care. As both a dietitian and a Hashimoto’s warrior herself, she brings a deep understanding and compassionate approach to her work, empowering others to thrive with autoimmune disease.
Through her private practice and online platform, Nataliia educates readers on the complex ways thyroid disorders impact the gut, brain, liver, pancreas, skin, adrenals, and hormones. She is based in Nashville, TN, where she continues to support clients through her practice, All Purpose Nutrition.
Leave a Reply