Modern Thyroid and Wellness

What if the reason thyroid eye disease feels so confusing is because it requires more than one specialist to treat it well?
In this episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, host McCall McPherson sits down with Dr. Sean Paul, a board-certified oculoplastic and orbital surgeon based in Austin, Texas, to explore thyroid eye disease (TED) from diagnosis through advanced treatment.
Dr. Paul explains what thyroid eye disease really is, why it is often underdiagnosed, and how it impacts both vision and quality of life. The conversation covers medical therapy, biologic treatments like Tepezza (teprotumumab), surgical options, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. They also discuss emerging trends in aesthetic and reconstructive eye surgery, regenerative skin treatments, and why long-term maintenance and skin health matter just as much as procedures.
This episode offers clarity, hope, and practical guidance for anyone struggling with thyroid eye disease, Graves’ disease, or eye changes related to autoimmune thyroid conditions.

👤 About the Guest: Dr. Sean Paul
Dr. Sean Paul is a fellowship-trained oculoplastic and orbital surgeon and the founder of Austin Face and Body. He completed medical school in San Antonio and trained extensively in ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery, with early experience in reconstructive eye surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Dr. Paul specializes in thyroid eye disease, orbital inflammation, eyelid reconstruction, and aesthetic facial surgery, blending functional restoration with natural-appearing cosmetic outcomes. His practice focuses on both medical necessity and patient confidence.

🔑 Key Topics Covered
What thyroid eye disease is and why it is an autoimmune orbital inflammatory condition
The connection between TED and Graves’ disease, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism
Early and subtle symptoms of thyroid eye disease, including dryness, redness, eyelid asymmetry, and double vision
Why thyroid eye disease is frequently underdiagnosed
The difference between active inflammatory disease and “quiet” or chronic disease
The emotional and social impact of eye changes in Graves’ disease
How oculoplastic and orbital surgeons are trained and what makes them different from general ophthalmologists
Medical treatment options including steroids, radiation, and biologic therapy
Tepezza (teprotumumab): how it works, how it is administered, and potential side effects including hearing changes
Surgical options for thyroid eye disease:
Orbital decompression (fat and bone)
Strabismus (eye muscle) surgery
Eyelid retraction repair
Typical recovery timelines and why disease

What if healthspan is not about adding more years to life, but protecting strength, energy, and independence as you age?
What if the real goal is not just living longer, but staying strong, capable, and energized for decades? In this episode, McCall sits down with Dr. Chris Renna, DO, founder of LifeSpan Medicine, to explore what healthspan really means and why most people start seeking answers only after symptoms have already taken hold.
Dr. Renna shares why he shifted from managing diagnoses to building true patient partnerships, and how consistent rhythms in sleep, food, movement, and perspective can change the way you feel day to day. They also discuss practical exercise targets, the role of gratitude and boundaries, and a fascinating look at emerging longevity therapies that may become far more common in the years ahead.
Key Discussion Points
Why Dr. Renna moved from disease management to preventive and longevity-focused care
Breaking the doctor-patient hierarchy so patients have agency and ownership
The most common goal he hears in practice: more energy
Why the body thrives on rhythm: consistent meals, sleep, movement, and mindset
A practical framework: work, family, self-care, and learning to say a kind “no”
Healthspan defined: maintaining function over time, not just extending years
Why strength training matters now if you want freedom later
Cardio basics vs improving VO2 max, including when high intensity intervals make sense
The “100th birthday” vision: driving yourself there, walking in strong, living fully
Longevity tools discussed: vitamin D, omega-3s, multivitamins, and beyond
Emerging therapies: plasmapheresis (therapeutic plasma exchange), EBO2, exosomes, stem cell trends, and hyperbaric oxygen
What may be next: wearables that coach in real time and more personalized longevity guidance

Some Questions We Explore
Why do so many people feel like they are doing “everything right” but still feel exhausted?
What does “healthspan” look like in real life, and how do we measure it?
How much exercise is enough if you are busy, tired, and already stretched thin?
What habits protect your energy most: food, movement, sleep, or mindset?
Which longevity therapies are promising, and which are still evolving?
What might preventive medicine look like in 10 years?

About the Guest
Dr. Chris Renna, DO is the founder of LifeSpan Medicine, a preventive and longevity-focused practice designed to help people prevent...

What if insulin resistance is quietly driving inflammation, weight gain, and thyroid dysfunction years before blood sugar ever looks abnormal?
In this episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, McCall McPherson sits down with endocrinologist Dr. Alessia Roehnelt for an in-depth discussion on insulin resistance and why it is one of the most important predictors of long-term health outcomes.
Dr. Roehnelt explains how insulin functions in the body, what happens when insulin resistance develops, and why chronically elevated insulin drives inflammation, weight gain, metabolic dysfunction, and disease progression. The conversation highlights the strong bidirectional relationship between insulin resistance and thyroid dysfunction, including how each can worsen the other when left unaddressed.
Together, they explore early warning signs of insulin resistance, optimal lab markers, lifestyle interventions, and when medications like metformin or GLP-1 agonists may be appropriate. This episode emphasizes early detection, individualized care, and the importance of addressing inflammation to restore metabolic health.
🔑 Key Topics Covered
What insulin resistance is and how it develops over time
How insulin drives inflammation and impacts every organ system
Why insulin resistance often precedes prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
Common physical signs of insulin resistance, including acanthosis nigricans
Rapid weight fluctuations and carb sensitivity as hallmark symptoms
The bidirectional relationship between insulin resistance and hypothyroidism
How insulin resistance affects thyroid hormone absorption and conversion
Why insulin is often a better early marker than hemoglobin A1c
Optimal vs. “normal” lab ranges for fasting glucose, insulin, and A1c
Why lab reference ranges shift with population health trends
The role of vitamin D as both a vitamin and hormone in metabolic health

🧪 Labs & Metrics Discussed
Fasting insulin (ideally low with normal glucose)
Fasting blood glucose (optimal range below the high 90s)
Hemoglobin A1c for long-term glucose trends
Liver enzymes (AST, ALT) and their link to fatty liver
Thyroid function tests and thyroid antibodies
Vitamin D levels and their systemic impact

🏃‍♀️ Lifestyle Strategies for Improving Insulin Sensitivity
Prioritizing adequate, consistent sleep to lower cortisol
Strength and resistance training...

What if the future of weight care is not about losing pounds, but about supporting metabolic health, nourishment, and sustainability?
In this episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, host McCall McPherson sits down with Ashley Koff, registered dietitian, entrepreneur, and author of the upcoming book Your Best Shot. Together, they unpack the rapidly evolving conversation around GLP-1 hormones, GLP-1 agonist medications, and what true weight health really means.
Ashley brings a balanced, evidence-informed perspective to a topic often dominated by extremes. She explains the science behind GLP-1s, clarifies common misconceptions, and emphasizes why medications alone are never the full solution. This conversation centers on personalized nutrition, comprehensive assessment, and moving away from diet culture toward sustainable, root-cause care.
🔑 Key Topics Covered
What GLP-1 hormones are and how they function in the body
How GLP-1 agonist medications work and what they do and do not address
The difference between weight loss and weight health
Why metabolism, muscle, gut health, and nutrient status matter
Common pitfalls of relying solely on medication for weight management
The importance of comprehensive health assessments before and during GLP-1 use
How diet culture oversimplifies weight and wellbeing
Why personalized nutrition is essential for long-term success
Supporting metabolic health without shame, restriction, or extremes

💡 In This Episode, You Will Learn
Why GLP-1 medications are tools, not cures
How weight health differs from scale-based outcomes
What people often overlook when starting GLP-1 therapy
Why nutrition adequacy and protein intake are critical
How to protect muscle mass and metabolic function
The role of individualized care in sustainable weight outcomes
Why one-size-fits-all approaches fail most people

🎯 Episode Takeaways
Weight health is about function, not just numbers
GLP-1 medications can be helpful, but only within a comprehensive care plan
Nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress all shape metabolic outcomes
Sustainable health requires personalization, not diet rules
Long-term wellbeing comes from addressing root causes,...

What if the key to feeling strong, energized, and confident during menopause is not doing more cardio but training smarter?
In this episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, McCall McPherson sits down with Debra Atkinson, a leading authority on fitness for women over 40 and the founder of the Flipping 50 movement. Together, they explore how women’s bodies change during menopause and why strength training, bone health, and individualized exercise strategies are essential for long-term health.
Debra shares practical, science-informed guidance on how women can safely build muscle, protect bone density, and maintain vitality during and after the menopausal transition. This conversation reframes exercise not as punishment or weight loss driven, but as a powerful tool for resilience, independence, and quality of life.

🔑 Key Topics Covered
How menopause changes muscle mass, metabolism, and bone density
Why strength training is essential for midlife and postmenopausal women
Common exercise mistakes women make during menopause
How to start resistance training safely at any age or fitness level
The role of bone-loading exercises in preventing osteoporosis
Yoga, vibration platforms, and complementary movement strategies
Why generic fitness advice often fails women in midlife
How to find trainers and programs that understand menopause physiology

💡 In This Episode, You Will Learn
Why maintaining muscle is critical for hormone balance, metabolism, and longevity
How strength training supports bone density and reduces fracture risk
What types of exercises are most effective during menopause
How to adapt workouts if you are new to resistance training
Why “more cardio” is often not the answer for midlife women
How the right exercise approach can improve confidence, energy, and daily function

🎯 Episode Takeaways
Menopause is not a decline, but a transition that requires smarter training
Strength training is foundational for women’s health after 40
Bone health depends on intentional, progressive loading
One-size-fits-all exercise plans do not work for menopausal women
With the right guidance, women can remain strong, capable, and vibrant well into later life

📚 Where to Learn More About Debra Atkinson
🌐 Website & Resources