Modern Thyroid and Wellness

What if the reason many thyroid patients still feel unwell is not their labs, but how their symptoms are being interpreted?
Today’s episode is the first installment of a multi-part clinician interview series on the Modern Thyroid Clinic podcast. Host McCall McPherson sits down with three of the clinic’s clinicians, Brandy Valentino, RN, WHNP, CNM, Jessica Strauss, DNP, FNP-C, and Krystal Adams, MSN, FNP-BC, LSO, to help listeners get to know the people behind the care.
Together, they share their personal journeys into medicine, what led them to thyroid and hormone work, and why individualized, symptom-driven care matters so much for thyroid patients. You will also hear candid conversations about medical gaslighting, obesity bias, the limitations of TSH-only testing, and why many people with “normal labs” still feel miserable. Along the way, the episode brings plenty of personality and behind-the-scenes stories, including Brandy’s early inspiration from a care flight helicopter tour, Jessica’s love of travel and Disney, and Krystal’s surprising connection to a military dolphin trainer story.
Episode Highlights
Why this clinician interview series was created and what to expect in future parts
Brandy’s story of being inspired in third grade by a care flight helicopter visit
Brandy’s background in labor and delivery, women’s health, and midwifery
How Brandy transitioned into thyroid care after questioning algorithm-based hormone protocols
What Brandy finds most meaningful: the “fast forward” moment when patients get their lives back
The misconception Brandy wants patients to understand: thyroid care is highly individualized
The reality of being dismissed with “it’s not your thyroid” and why that harms patients
Jessica’s personal experience of thyroid symptoms despite consistently “normal” TSH
How Jessica’s training included a more nuanced view beyond basic thyroid teaching
A powerful story: antibodies rising dramatically and an endocrinology response of “nothing different to do”
How obesity bias impacts care and how it can delay diagnosis and worsen outcomes
Why Modern Thyroid Clinic prioritizes listening, full panels, and patient empowerment
Jessica’s favorite part of the work: celebrating symptom improvement and life restoration
Jessica’s view: thyroid issues are not a life sentence when treated appropriately
Krystal’s early foundation in prevention-focused care and integrative medicine
How Krystal’s friend’s thyroid storm and Graves disease helped pull her deeper into thyroid work
Why hormones and thyroid must be...

What if GLP-1 medications work best not at higher doses, but with slower, personalized microdosing?
In this solo Ask Me Anything episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, McCall McPherson answers your most pressing questions about GLP-1 medications. Drawing from clinical experience and current research, she breaks down how these medications actually work, why microdosing matters, and how to minimize side effects while protecting metabolism, muscle, and long-term health.
McCall explores the connection between GLP-1s and inflammation, thyroid function, fertility, cancer risk, longevity, and metabolic recovery. She also explains when patients may need long-term therapy, how to successfully come off these medications, and why slow, personalized dosing produces the safest and most sustainable results.
If you’ve heard conflicting information about GLP-1s, this episode offers clarity, context, and a clinically grounded perspective on how to use them wisely.

Key Topics Covered
What GLP-1 medications are and how they work beyond appetite suppression
Why microdosing leads to better outcomes and fewer side effects
The real cause of most GLP-1 side effects: rapid weight loss and under-fueling
Semaglutide vs. tirzepatide and how to choose the right option
Why most patients do not need to stay on GLP-1s forever
How improving insulin sensitivity and leptin resistance supports long-term weight maintenance
When long-term GLP-1 use may be appropriate, especially for chronic inflammation
Strategies for tapering off successfully, including slow dose reduction and metabolic support
The relationship between GLP-1s and thyroid function, Hashimoto’s antibodies, and medication adjustments
Pregnancy, fertility, and breastfeeding recommendations
Why weight loss timelines vary based on thyroid health and metabolic status
The role of treatment breaks in maintaining medication effectiveness


GLP-1 Benefits You May Not Know About
Powerful anti-inflammatory effects through multiple biological pathways
Reduced risk of several cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, and pancreatic
Lower risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke
Reduced all-cause mortality by approximately 15–20%
Improvements in metabolic health, blood sugar control, and insulin sensitivity
Potential benefits for compulsive behaviors, cravings, and addiction patterns


Common Concerns Addressed
Hair loss and muscle...

What if the answers to chronic illness are often missed because medicine focuses on symptoms instead of root causes?
In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, McCall McPherson welcomes Dr. Aaron Hartman, functional medicine physician, clinical researcher, and author of UnCurable: From Hopeless Diagnosis to Defying All Odds. Dr. Hartman shares how his daughter’s complex medical challenges transformed his understanding of healthcare, pushing him beyond conventional medicine and into a root-cause, patient-centered approach.
The conversation explores medical blind spots, medical gaslighting, and the limitations of symptom-focused care. Dr. Hartman explains why chronic illness often requires patients to become active participants in their health journey and how functional medicine can help uncover overlooked root causes. He also discusses environmental toxins, tick-borne illness, mold exposure, hypermobility syndromes, and the importance of personalized care strategies.
This episode offers hope, validation, and practical insight for anyone who has felt dismissed, misunderstood, or stuck searching for answers.

Episode Highlights
Dr. Hartman’s journey from conventional medicine to functional medicine through his daughter’s health challenges
The concept of medical blind spots and how healthcare recommendations evolve over time
Why chronic illness often requires individualized and investigative care
Understanding medical gaslighting and why patients, especially women, are frequently dismissed
How the healthcare system prioritizes acute care over chronic disease prevention and management
Why patients must become the “CEO” of their own health
The importance of building a collaborative healthcare team
Environmental and chronic illness drivers including mold exposure, Lyme disease, and bio-toxin illness
The connection between hypermobility, autoimmune conditions, neurodivergence, and chronic health symptoms
The role of lifestyle fundamentals including nutrition, sleep, environment, and relationships in healing
How faith, resilience, and patient-provider trust influence recovery and health outcomes
Why listening to patients is often the most powerful diagnostic tool in medicine
How education empowers patients to make informed healthcare decisions
Why modern medicine requires balancing conventional and functional approaches

In This Episode, You Will Learn
Why chronic illness often exists in gaps between medical specialties
How conventional medicine can miss environmental, infectious, and systemic contributors to illness

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...