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Hey, Thyroid Nation (Thrivers, Warriors and Survivors),

In Episode #108, we talk with special guest, board certified Naturopathic Doctor who has been in practice since 2001 in Toronto, Canada, Dr. Fiona McCulloch, founder and owner of White Lotus Naturopathic.

We Discuss:

• Her story with PCOS and thyroid issues
• Her view on why so many thyroid patients are still suffering
• What is PCOS and symptoms
• PCOS, Thyroid, and Insulin Resistance
• Autoimmune Thyroid and PCOS
• TSH levels and PCOS
• Subclinical Hypothyroidism: Is it related to PCOS?
• Ovarian Cysts in Hypothyroidism

In Brief:

• It is genetic (07:00)
• Difficult to tell in children. But sometimes girls will gain weight around their stomachs (08:00)
• When girls hit puberty they naturally transition through a “PCOS-like” stage, but then periods should regulate. (08:38)
•  When girls hit puberty, testosterone is the dominant hormone. With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, estrogen doesn’t become the predominant hormone. (09:00)
•  What is PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)? The name is controversial as the cysts aren’t that important. Cysts aren’t present in all women with the condition. The syndrome is actually hormone dysregulation. Androgen excess (excess testosterone-like hormones).  (12:45)
• Common symptoms: acne, hair growth on the face, hair loss (thinning behind the front hairline – androgenic alopecia), metabolic health conditions (e.g. insulin resistance, increased risk of developing diabetes), weight gain specifically around the stomach, difficult to lose weight, difficulty with conceiving (eggs don’t release on time; periods are very far apart), inflammation (headaches, Hashimoto’s risk increased), mood disorders (like anxiety and depression), (14:00)
• To be diagnosed with PCOS, you must have 2 out of 3 of these criteria: any kind of androgen excess (acne, hair growth on face, hair loss), long cycles, cysts (but these are not seen that often). (19:00)
• Eating for insulin resistance: based on food insulin demand. Women with this condition often have high insulin – this is very problematic as it causes chronic issues. Women with PCOS secrete way more insulin than women without, and their insulin stays high for a long time after as well. Recommend an anti-inflammatory diet that helps to temper high insulin levels. For example: good serving of protein, large serving of vegetables and a serving of healthy fats, small amount of carbohydrates. Having carbs for dinner is helpful (about a cup) for Cortisol. Avoid inflammatory food like gluten, dairy and sugar. (21:00)
• DHEA lowers with age. (26:30)
• Hashimoto’s is rampant with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (30:00)
• Inflammatory condition that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome creates allows Hashi’s to happen (31:00)
• Low progesterone makes inflammatory conditions worse. (31:40)
• Some treatments: work with metabolism, sometimes bio-identical Progesterone, herbal tinctures (32:50)
• Nutrient deficiencies and things to ad. This is very individual. General nutrient deficiencies listed. Inositol (adding this leads to good responses regarding ovulation, androgen excess and insulin sensitivity). Dr. recommends a product that contains 40:1 ratio of Myo to D-chiro-inositol. Anti-oxidants (e.g. Zinc and Selenium). Vitamin D, Vitamin K-2. (36:00)
• Testing daughters for PCOS: If daughter is two years after the period onset, bringing up symptoms of PCOS to doctor. Bring up acne, hair loss, periods far apart, weight gain in stomach. Unfortunately many doctors do not know much about PCOS, other than it being a fertility issue. (41:00)
• Types of PCOS (46:00)
• Food insulin demand. Example of helpful foods: lean protein (chicken, fish), lots of vegetables (cooked or raw), healthy fats (e.g. avocado, coconut flakes, coconut oil), small serving of carbs (e.g. berries, root veg in small amounts like sweet potato, squash, quinoa in small amounts). (52:30)

Resources:

8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS

PCOS and your thyroid 

PCOS and insulin resistance

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Please join Danna and Tiffany to lightheartedly, yet thoroughly, discuss thyroid disease with some of the most advanced and innovative physicians, educators, bloggers, thyroid thrivers and advocates available. Our mission is to ensure that no one ever goes undiagnosed and/or undertreated and that all are aware of the intricacies that involve living life to the fullest with thyroid disease. United and informed, we will change the awareness, perception, diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease. United, we heal.

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