The Empowered Thyroid Podcast

Dr. Rachel Vong, ND

Have you been told your thyroid labs look "normal," but you still feel exhausted, struggle to lose weight, have brain fog, hair loss, bloating, anxiety, or just don't feel like yourself anymore? You're not imagining it, and you're certainly not alone. Welcome to The Empowered Thyroid Podcast, where we go beyond TSH and thyroid medication to uncover what's really driving hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's. I'm Dr. Rachel Vong, a naturopathic doctor who has spent more than a decade helping women with thyroid disease uncover the root causes behind their symptoms. Every week, I'll break down complex thyroid topics into simple, practical conversations that actually make sense, so you can better understand your body and finally feel empowered to take control of your health. We'll cover topics like: • Why you still feel terrible on thyroid medication • Hashimoto's, thyroid antibodies, and the immune system connection • The full thyroid panel your doctor probably isn't running (and what the numbers actually mean) • How gut health, liver function, blood sugar, hormones, and stress all impact your thyroid • Weight loss with hypothyroidism • Fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum thyroid health • Fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, hair loss, and more Most importantly, this podcast is here to remind you that there is always a reason why you feel the way you do. Because when you understand your body, you can advocate for yourself with confidence and that's where healing begins.

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 15: How to Treat SIBO & Prevent It From Coming Back (Part 2)

    Have you ever treated SIBO, felt better for a few weeks or months, only to have the bloating, constipation, and digestive discomfort come right back? SIBO recurrence is incredibly frustrating, but one of the biggest problems I see is that treatment often focuses on getting rid of the bacterial overgrowth without addressing why it developed in the first place. In Part 2 of this two-part series, I'm walking you through my three-phase approach to SIBO treatment, including how I prepare patients for treatment, the different strategies used to address bacterial overgrowth, and what I focus on to help prevent SIBO from returning. We'll also explore why women with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's may be particularly susceptible to recurring digestive issues, and why optimizing thyroid function and gut motility can be such important pieces of the puzzle. In this episode, you'll learn: Why SIBO frequently comes back after treatment and what may be contributing to recurrenceMy three-phase approach to SIBO treatment: preparation, eradication, and healingWhat bacterial biofilms are and why it's so important to address prior to treatmentConventional treatment with rifaximin versus herbal antimicrobial approachesThe role of the elemental diet and low-FODMAP diet in managing SIBOWhy the migrating motor complex (MMC) is so important for preventing recurrenceHow thyroid function, stomach acid, digestive enzymes, bile flow, stress, and meal spacing can influence digestive healthWhat improvements you may experience when SIBO is successfully treatedIf you've been struggling with persistent digestive symptoms or have gone through multiple rounds of SIBO treatment without lasting results, this episode will help you understand why there may be more to treatment than simply getting rid of the bacteria. And if you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, make sure to check out Episode 14, where I explain what SIBO is, its connection to hypothyroidism, common symptoms, and how to test for it. LINKS: Book a complimentary discovery call with our thyroid-focused team: https://www.drvongnd.com/applyDownload my FREE thyroid lab guide: https://www.drvongnd.com/thyroidlabguideLearn more about our comprehensive 5-month thyroid program, the Thyroid Reset System: https://thyroidresetsystem.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1107407 CONNECT WITH DR. RACHEL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvongnd/ If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, follow the podcast, and leave us a rating/review. Thanks so much for listening! 💗

  2. Oct 21

    Episode 14: SIBO & Hypothyroidism: Symptoms, Causes & Testing (Part 1)

    Up to 50% of people with hypothyroidism have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). And yet, so many women struggling with chronic bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and digestive discomfort have never even heard of SIBO, let alone been tested for it. SIBO is something I see incredibly often in my clinical practice. Many of the women I work with have spent years eliminating foods, taking probiotics and digestive supplements, or being told they have IBS, without ever understanding what might actually be contributing to their symptoms. In Part 1 of this two-part series, I'm breaking down what SIBO is, why women with thyroid disease may be more susceptible to developing it, and how to recognize and test for it. In this episode of the Empowered Thyroid Podcast, you'll learn: What SIBO is and why bacteria growing in the wrong part of your gut can cause so many symptomsThe connection between hypothyroidism, gut motility, and the migrating motor complex (MMC)Common SIBO risk factors, including food poisoning and gut infectionsThe most common signs and symptoms of SIBOThe differences between hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide SIBOHow SIBO breath testing works and what your results may tell youIf you've been struggling with digestive symptoms despite changing your diet and taking probiotics, this episode may help you understand what you might be missing. And stay tuned for Part 2, where we'll discuss SIBO treatment options, the role of diet, and why SIBO can keep coming back even after treatment. LINKS: Book a complimentary discovery call with our thyroid-focused team: https://www.drvongnd.com/applyDownload my FREE thyroid lab guide: https://www.drvongnd.com/thyroidlabguideLearn more about our comprehensive 5-month thyroid program, the Thyroid Reset System: https://thyroidresetsystem.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1107407 CONNECT WITH DR. RACHEL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvongnd/ If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, follow the podcast, and leave us a rating/review. Thanks so much for listening! 💗

  3. Oct 14

    Episode 13: Do You Really Need the AIP Diet for Hashimoto’s?

    If you have Hashimoto’s, chances are you’ve come across the Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet at some point. It’s often recommended as the diet for autoimmune disease, but is it actually necessary for everyone with Hashimoto’s? In this episode of The Empowered Thyroid Podcast, I’m sharing why I don’t routinely recommend the AIP diet, despite having worked with hundreds of women with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the AIP diet removes and why it’s commonly recommended for Hashimoto’sWhen I might actually consider using AIP with a patientWhy more restriction isn’t always betterHow restrictive diets can sometimes lead to under-eating and under-nourishingWhy sustainability matters more than perfectionWhat I recommend instead for most women with Hashimoto’sIf you’ve ever wondered whether you really need to follow AIP to lower inflammation and support your Hashimoto’s, this episode is for you. LINKS: Book a complimentary discovery call with our thyroid-focused team: https://www.drvongnd.com/applyDownload my FREE thyroid lab guide: https://www.drvongnd.com/thyroidlabguideLearn more about our comprehensive 5-month thyroid program, the Thyroid Reset System: https://thyroidresetsystem.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1107407 CONNECT WITH DR. RACHEL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvongnd/ If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, follow the podcast, and leave us a rating/review. Thanks so much for listening! 💗

  4. Oct 7

    Episode 12: Chronic Infections, POTS & Complex Hashimoto’s

    What happens when you’ve done all the “right” things for your Hashimoto’s, but you still don’t feel well? You’ve cleaned up your diet. You’ve worked on your gut. You’re taking the supplements. Your thyroid is being treated. And yet, you’re still struggling with persistent fatigue, brain fog, and other stubborn symptoms, or your thyroid antibodies just won’t come down. Sometimes, there may be more to the story than just your thyroid. In this episode of The Empowered Thyroid Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Liam LaTouche, ND, whose clinical practice focuses on chronic fatigue, chronic infections, autoimmunity and complex chronic illness. We take a deeper look at what may be going on in some of the more complex Hashimoto’s cases, including: How to recognize when fatigue may be more complex than typical hypothyroid fatigueChronic infections and viral reactivation, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)The connection between chronic infections, immune dysregulation and Hashimoto’sPOTS, dysautonomia and why these symptoms can easily be mistaken for thyroid symptomsHypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)Mold exposure and other potential barriers to healingWhat persistently elevated thyroid antibodies may be telling usHow Dr. Liam approaches investigating a complex case when the usual pieces aren’t enoughWe also walk through a real patient case involving Hashimoto’s, profound fatigue, mold exposure and viral reactivation, and how looking beyond the obvious pieces helped uncover what had been missed. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but something is still missing, this episode is an important reminder that your symptoms are not necessarily “just Hashimoto’s” and sometimes we need to widen the lens to see the rest of the puzzle. CONNECT WITH DR. LIAM: https://liamlatouche.com/ https://rootedinhealth.ca/ LINKS: Book a complimentary discovery call with our thyroid-focused team: https://www.drvongnd.com/applyDownload my FREE thyroid lab guide: https://www.drvongnd.com/thyroidlabguideLearn more about our comprehensive 5-month thyroid program, the Thyroid Reset System: https://thyroidresetsystem.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1107407 CONNECT WITH DR. RACHEL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvongnd/ If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, follow the podcast, and leave us a rating/review. Thanks so much for listening! 💗

  5. Sep 30

    Episode 11: The 8 Triggers That Can Make Your Hashimoto’s Worse

    What is actually driving your Hashimoto’s? If you have Hashimoto’s, you may have been told that there’s nothing you can really do beyond taking thyroid medication and monitoring your TSH. But Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition and while thyroid medication can be incredibly important for replacing the thyroid hormones your body needs, it doesn’t address the bigger question of what may be contributing to the immune dysfunction and inflammation in the first place. In this episode of The Empowered Thyroid Podcast, I’m breaking down the 8 major triggers and drivers I look at when working with women with Hashimoto’s, including: GeneticsChronic stressGut dysfunctionChronic infectionsToxin exposureNutrient imbalancesBlood sugar and insulin resistanceHormonal shifts like puberty, pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopauseI’ll explain how these different factors can fit into the bigger Hashimoto’s picture, why I believe so many women who feel like they’ve “tried everything” may simply still be missing pieces of their puzzle, and the importance of rebuilding your body’s resilience rather than spending your life trying to avoid every possible trigger. I’ll also walk you through the story of one of my clients, Lyndsay, and how uncovering things like SIBO, nutrient deficiencies, insulin resistance and chronic stress helped us better understand what was contributing to years of debilitating fatigue, brain fog, bloating, poor sleep, hair loss and unpredictable weight changes. If you’re doing “all the right things” but still struggling with symptoms or persistently elevated thyroid antibodies, this episode will help you understand where you may need to look next. LINKS: Book a complimentary discovery call with our thyroid-focused team: https://www.drvongnd.com/applyDownload my FREE thyroid lab guide: https://www.drvongnd.com/thyroidlabguideLearn more about our comprehensive 5-month thyroid program, the Thyroid Reset System: https://thyroidresetsystem.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1107407 CONNECT WITH DR. RACHEL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvongnd/ If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, follow the podcast, and leave us a rating/review. Thanks so much for listening! 💗

  6. Sep 23

    Episode 10: 5 Things I Wish Every Woman With Hashimoto’s Knew

    If I could be in the doctor’s office with every woman the moment she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, there are five things I would want her to know. Because for so many women, the conversation goes something like this: “You have Hashimoto's. You’ll need to take thyroid medication. We’ll monitor your TSH.” And that’s it. No real explanation of what Hashimoto’s actually is. No conversation about why your immune system is attacking your thyroid. And very little guidance around what you can actually do to be proactive about your health. In this episode of The Empowered Thyroid Podcast, I’m sharing five things I wish every woman knew when she was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s: the things that could save you years of frustration, confusion and feeling like you have no control over what happens next. We’ll talk about why Hashimoto’s is not just a thyroid problem, why I believe the “watch and wait” approach leaves so many women without the support they need, and why thyroid medication is only one piece of the bigger picture. And if you finish this episode thinking, “Why has nobody ever explained Hashimoto’s to me this way before?”... JOIN ME FOR THE HASHIMOTO’S SOLUTION: Starting Thursday, September 24th at 12:00 PM EST, I’m hosting my FREE 3-day LIVE virtual Hashimoto’s masterclass. This is the training where I go much deeper into everything we introduce in this episode and teach you what I wish every woman with Hashimoto’s understood about what is actually happening inside her body. We’ll talk about the bigger picture behind Hashimoto’s, the most common drivers/triggers of immune system dysregulation, and the strategies I use with my clients to help them lower their thyroid antibodies, get their energy back, lose weight more easily, and feel like themselves again. I’ll also be sharing real client case studies, and you’ll hear from women who have gone through their own Hashimoto’s journeys and experienced meaningful changes in their health. If you’ve been told to “watch and wait,” because your labs are still “normal” but you don’t feel well, or you simply know there has to be more you can do for your Hashimoto’s than take medication and check your TSH once a year, this masterclass is for you. This is the last time I’ll be teaching The Hashimoto’s Solution this year, so make sure you save your spot. 👉 REGISTER FOR THE FREE HASHIMOTO’S SOLUTION MASTERCLASS: https://www.drvongnd.com/thehashimotossolutionsep2026 LINKS: Book a complimentary discovery call with our thyroid-focused team: https://www.drvongnd.com/applyDownload my FREE thyroid lab guide: https://www.drvongnd.com/thyroidlabguideLearn more about our comprehensive 5-month thyroid program, the Thyroid Reset System: https://thyroidresetsystem.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1107407 CONNECT WITH DR. RACHEL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvongnd/ If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, follow the podcast, and leave us a rating/review. Thanks so much for listening! 💗

  7. Sep 16

    Episode 09: Perimenopause & Hashimoto's: Why Everything Suddenly Feels Different

    If you have Hashimoto’s and feel like your body suddenly changed when you hit your late 30s or 40s, you’re not imagining it. Maybe you’re gaining weight (especially around your belly) even though you haven’t changed the way you eat. Your energy is lower, you’re waking up in the middle of the night, your brain feels foggy, your mood is different, and suddenly the things that used to work for your body just… don’t anymore. So is it your thyroid? Is it perimenopause? Or is it both? |In this episode of The Empowered Thyroid Podcast, I’m breaking down what actually happens to your body during perimenopause and why this hormonal transition can be particularly important for women with Hashimoto’s. We’ll talk about why perimenopause is much more than simply declining estrogen, how fluctuating estrogen and progesterone can influence your immune system, brain, sleep, metabolism and body composition, and why major hormonal transitions like pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopause can sometimes act as triggers for Hashimoto’s in susceptible women. I also explain why insulin resistance and abdominal weight gain can become more common during this stage, why the same diet and exercise strategies you used in your 20s and 30s may stop working the way they once did, and why simply eating less and exercising more isn’t always the answer. We’ll also get into some of the areas I focus on most with women going through perimenopause, including strength training, protein, blood sugar and insulin, stress and sleep, liver health, gut health and hormone metabolism. And finally, I share my perspective on hormone therapy, including bio-identical hormones like estradiol and micronized progesterone and an important consideration if you’re already taking thyroid medication. Because perimenopause doesn’t have to mean spending your 40s and 50s feeling like you’ve completely lost control of your body. Your body may need different support now than it did at 25 and understanding what has changed is the first step toward knowing what to do about it. ✅ THE HASHIMOTO’S SOLUTION MASTERCLASS: If you have Hashimoto’s and want to better understand what may be driving your autoimmunity and what you can actually do beyond simply taking thyroid medication, join me for my FREE 3-day live masterclass, The Hashimoto’s Solution, beginning September 24th at 12:00 PM EST. 👉 Register here: https://www.drvongnd.com/thehashimotossolutionsep2026 LINKS: Book a complimentary discovery call with our thyroid-focused team: https://www.drvongnd.com/applyDownload my FREE thyroid lab guide: https://www.drvongnd.com/thyroidlabguideLearn more about our comprehensive 5-month thyroid program, the Thyroid Reset System: https://thyroidresetsystem.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1107407 CONNECT WITH DR. RACHEL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvongnd/ If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, follow the podcast, and leave us a rating/review. Thanks so much for listening! 💗

  8. Sep 9

    Episode 08: How to Get Your Energy Back With Hypothyroidism

    If you’re getting enough sleep but still wake up exhausted, hit a wall every afternoon, or feel like you’re constantly running on empty… this episode is for you. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, but that doesn’t mean you should simply accept feeling exhausted as your “new normal.” In this episode of The Empowered Thyroid Podcast, I’m breaking down some of the biggest reasons I see women with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's struggle with debilitating fatigue and why the answer isn’t always as simple as getting more sleep, drinking more coffee, or finding the right energy supplement. We’ll talk about some of the most commonly overlooked contributors to fatigue like low iron and nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar imbalances, chronic stress, and inflammation. I’ll also walk you through some of the blood tests and patterns I look at when someone comes to me struggling with low energy, and what you should start investigating if you’re trying to figure out what’s actually causing your fatigue. Because fatigue is a symptom. It’s information. And instead of asking, “What can I take to give me more energy?” the better question is actually: “Why am I so tired in the first place?” If you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s and feel like your exhaustion has started taking pieces of your life away, this episode will help you understand what may be contributing to your fatigue and what you can do to get your energy back. LINKS: Book a complimentary discovery call with our thyroid-focused team: https://www.drvongnd.com/applyDownload my FREE thyroid lab guide: https://www.drvongnd.com/thyroidlabguideLearn more about our comprehensive 5-month thyroid program, the Thyroid Reset System: https://thyroidresetsystem.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1107407 CONNECT WITH DR. RACHEL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvongnd/ If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, follow the podcast, and leave us a rating/review. Thanks so much for listening! 💗

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About

Have you been told your thyroid labs look "normal," but you still feel exhausted, struggle to lose weight, have brain fog, hair loss, bloating, anxiety, or just don't feel like yourself anymore? You're not imagining it, and you're certainly not alone. Welcome to The Empowered Thyroid Podcast, where we go beyond TSH and thyroid medication to uncover what's really driving hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's. I'm Dr. Rachel Vong, a naturopathic doctor who has spent more than a decade helping women with thyroid disease uncover the root causes behind their symptoms. Every week, I'll break down complex thyroid topics into simple, practical conversations that actually make sense, so you can better understand your body and finally feel empowered to take control of your health. We'll cover topics like: • Why you still feel terrible on thyroid medication • Hashimoto's, thyroid antibodies, and the immune system connection • The full thyroid panel your doctor probably isn't running (and what the numbers actually mean) • How gut health, liver function, blood sugar, hormones, and stress all impact your thyroid • Weight loss with hypothyroidism • Fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum thyroid health • Fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, hair loss, and more Most importantly, this podcast is here to remind you that there is always a reason why you feel the way you do. Because when you understand your body, you can advocate for yourself with confidence and that's where healing begins.

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