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In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, I speak with Dr. Ann Shippy, a functional medicine physician whose work is redefining how we think about health before, during, and after pregnancy.
Like many women with autoimmune thyroid disease, I was once told that there was a good chance that I may never be able to conceive – but I proved them wrong, and was able to conceive and have healthy pregnancies. (Dr. Ann Shippy and I both became pregnant in our 40s! 🙂)
My approach to fertility focuses on optimizing thyroid hormones and addressing the root causes that affect hormonal balance.
Dr. Shippy shares this same root cause mindset but through a generational lens, helping families improve fertility, reduce toxic exposures, and set the stage for lifelong health. Her own journey from chemical engineer to physician began with serious health challenges that led her to uncover how toxins, nutrition, and genetics interact to influence well-being. Today, she helps parents prepare their bodies for healthy pregnancies and protect their children from the growing burden of chronic illness.
If you’re facing autoimmunity or fertility challenges, or if you’re curious about how your environment, nutrition, and genes shape fertility and long-term health, this episode offers practical, science-based steps to guide you on your path to healing.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why preconception health matters for every family. The six to twelve months before conception are a key window to influence fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and a child’s lifelong health. Dr. Ann Shippy explains how both parents’ nutrition, toxin exposure, and stress can shape DNA expression, and how small changes can support healthy conception.
- The overlooked role of toxins in chronic illness. Mold, heavy metals, plastics, and household chemicals can quietly affect hormones and immune balance. Dr. Shippy shares common environmental exposures she sees in her patients and how testing, detoxification, and lifestyle shifts can help restore balance.
- How genetics and epigenetics shape our resilience. Your DNA isn’t your destiny. Dr. Shippy explains how nutrients such as methylated B vitamins, folate, and choline can support methylation, helping “turn on” genes that promote health and silence those linked to disease.
- The critical link between gut health and detoxification. A healthy gut microbiome helps clear toxins, balance hormones, and support fertility. Dr. Shippy outlines ways to strengthen gut and liver detox pathways naturally with binders, glutathione, and key nutrients.
- How to create a toxin-free home and pregnancy plan. From air and water filtration to safer personal care and cleaning products, Dr. Shippy offers realistic ways to minimize toxic load and protect both parents and developing babies.
Check out Dr. Shippy’s new book!
Order your copy of The Preconception Revolution: A Scienced-Backed Path to Your Fertility and Generational Health by Dr. Ann Shippy – This new book, released Nov 18th 2025, reveals how your health today shapes your baby’s tomorrow. Blending the latest in functional medicine and epigenetics, this book shares science-backed strategies that don’t just improve conception – they influence your child’s lifelong health.
Freebies
- Visit Every Life Well for FREE guides on multiple topics, including, “Could it be mold?” and How to Conceive a Healthy Baby in a Toxic World.
Guest Resources / Connect with Dr. Ann Shippy
Supplements We Discussed
- Glutathione – A master antioxidant that supports detoxification and protects cells from oxidative stress. Consider Rootcology N-Acetyl Cysteine to support glutathione levels.
- Magnesium – Supports over 300 enzymatic reactions, including detoxification and energy metabolism. Consider Rootcology Magnesium Citrate Powder.
- B Vitamins (especially methylated forms) – Essential for methylation and supporting healthy DNA expression. Consider Rootcology MTHFR Pathways.
- Probiotics – Help balance the gut microbiome, reduce inflammation, and improve detoxification. Consider Rootcology Prob 50.
Other Tools and Resources
- Testing for the MTHFR genetic variation: 23andme.com, Ulta Labs MTHFR gene variation test.
- Mycotoxin testing: Environmental Mold and Mycotoxin Assay (EMMA) test from Realtime Laboratories (via Rupa Health).
- Functional Medicine Testing (Rupa Health Portal): Comprehensive toxin panels; mold and heavy metal testing.
- Air Filtration: Consider high-quality HEPA and carbon air purifiers such as those from Jaspr (use code DRWENTZ for 10% off your first purchase) and AirDoctor.
- Water Filtration: Consider reverse osmosis systems and countertop filters to reduce contaminants, such as Clearly Filtered or AquaTru.
- Detox Support: Discover infrared sauna therapy (consider a portable sauna from Sunlighten or Therasage). You may also want to try Epsom salt baths for the gentle elimination of toxins (use one cup of salts per tub – follow package instructions, and don’t overdo it!).
Books and Articles About Environmental and Thyroid Health
- IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Did you know that autoimmunity, toxins, genetics, and gut health all influence fertility? Many with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism can benefit from uncovering the root causes of symptoms, which can help you with all-over wellness, and even improve your chances of conception. Most people with Hashimoto’s have some degree of intestinal permeability, which can be a powerful trigger for autoimmunity… yet, most are never told about it. Whether you’ve been struggling with Hashimoto’s for many years or you were just diagnosed with intestinal permeability (or IBS), this comprehensive guide will help you figure out the root causes of gut issues and help you heal. Dr. Izabella Wentz’s upcoming book releases March 2026, and is available for pre-order now.
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause by Dr. Izabella Wentz
- Mold Toxicity Workbook: Assess your Environment & Create a Recovery Plan by Ann Shippy
- How Supporting the Liver Is Key to Recovering from Thyroid Disease
- Mold: A Potential Trigger of Hashimoto’s
- Air Quality and Hashimoto’s – Is the Air You’re Breathing Making You Sick?
- 9 Sneaky Thyroid Toxins Hiding in Your Home
- Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis and Hashimoto’s
- Studies on Magnesium and Thyroid Health
- NAC for Immune Health, Detoxification and Gut Health
- The Best Probiotics for Hashimoto’s
- The Thyroid and Fertility Connection
Get the Full Episode Transcript
Let’s Connect!
- Follow me on Instagram:@izabellawentzpharmd
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- 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 Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Her latest book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, will be released on March 17, 2026, and is available for pre-order here.
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About Our Guest
Dr. Ann Shippy is a trailblazer in functional medicine, renowned for her unwavering dedication to uncovering the root causes of illness and empowering families to achieve vibrant, lasting health. Her journey from a distinguished career as an IBM engineer to a groundbreaking medical doctor reflects resilience, drive, passion, and an unyielding commitment to transforming lives. Confronting her own health struggles, Dr. Shippy challenged traditional medical paradigms and forged a path to help others truly heal.
As the founder of Every Life Well and Every Baby Well, Dr. Shippy is a force in the field of preconception, leading the charge to transform generational health and eradicate chronic childhood illnesses. Through her science-driven, personalized approach, she equips families with the tools to prepare for healthy pregnancies and beyond, ensuring brighter futures for generations to come. Her pioneering methods seamlessly combine cutting-edge research, education, and advanced lab testing to provide sound, evidence-based medical advice that empowers individuals to take charge of their health.
A TEDx speaker and growing presence in media, Dr. Shippy’s work has been featured in Good Housekeeping, Goop, Mind Body Green, NBC News, and acclaimed documentaries like Supplements Revealed and Broken Brain. Her voice resonates globally through podcasts like The JJ Virgin Show and Wellness Force and from stages at PaleoFX and the Biohacking Conference.
Dr. Shippy’s visionary leadership, profound empathy, and relentless pursuit of education and evidence-based care make her a transformative figure in healthcare. She stands as a beacon of empowerment for families, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to not only heal but thrive across generations.
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