Thyroid Symptoms, Normal Labs, and Root Causes: Dr. Kevin Smith on Hashimoto’s, Functional Medicine, and Chronic Conditions | Conversations with a Chiropractor Episode Description
In this episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier sits down with Dr. Kevin Smith, a functional medicine practitioner and founder of the Chronic Conditions Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Smith specializes in helping people better understand the root causes behind chronic Health problems, including thyroid dysfunction, gut issues, autoimmunity, chronic pain, inflammation, peripheral neuropathy, insulin resistance, and other complex conditions.
This conversation focuses heavily on thyroid health, especially the frustration many people feel when they have symptoms of hypothyroidism, but are told their labs are “normal.” Dr. Smith explains why thyroid symptoms can involve far more than a simple TSH reading, and why many cases of hypothyroidism may be connected to Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid.
Stephanie and Dr. Smith talk through common thyroid symptoms, including fatigue, hair loss, weak nails, digestive changes, Sleep issues, brain fog, mood changes, infertility, and skin problems. They also discuss why a deeper look at the body may include the immune system, gut health, liver function, blood sugar, cortisol, sex hormones, inflammation, food sensitivities, unresolved infections, and nutrient status.
The episode also explores the difference between managing symptoms and looking for the underlying reasons a person may not feel well. Dr. Smith shares how he uses detailed intake forms, comprehensive lab testing, metabolic questionnaires, food sensitivity testing, Lifestyle changes, nutrition, supplements, and retesting to help patients better understand what is happening in their body.
This conversation is educational and is not a replacement for personal medical care. If you are dealing with thyroid symptoms, autoimmune concerns, medication questions, or chronic health issues, work with a qualified healthcare provider who can evaluate your individual situation.
In This Episode, Discover
Stay Connected & Explore
Learn More About Dr. Kevin Smith & Metabolic Solutions: Dr. Kevin Smith / Metabolic Solutions: https://www.metabolicsolutions.net/
Free 2-Minute Metabolic Health Assessment: https://www.metabolicsolutions.net/metabolic-scorecard/
Chronic Conditions Center: https://www.chronicpa.com/
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Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness
Email for show-related inquiries and sponsorships: [email protected]
Want to be a guest on Conversations with a Chiropractor? Send Stephanie Wautier a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/drstephanie
Credits
Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing [email protected].
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor 00:56 Meet Dr. Kevin Smith 01:55 Why Thyroid Health Is the Focus 02:15 Common Symptoms of Hypothyroidism 04:01 When Symptoms Persist but Labs Look Normal 05:13 Looking Beyond Basic Thyroid Testing 05:47 Hashimoto’s Disease and Autoimmunity 07:15 Why the Immune System Matters in Thyroid Health 08:25 Thyroid Medication, Unresolved Symptoms, and the Bigger Pathway 09:04 The Brain, Pituitary Gland, TSH, T3, and T4 10:37 The Thyroid as the Body’s Energy Regulator 11:48 Brain Fog, Mood, Gut Symptoms, and Cellular Energy 13:16 Triggers That Can Disrupt Thyroid Physiology 15:13 Hypothyroidism vs. Hyperthyroidism 16:14 Intake Forms, Questionnaires, and Foundational Labs 18:14 What Dr. Smith Looks for in Lab Work 19:53 Insurance, Coverage, and the Limits of Symptom Management 22:29 Managing Symptoms vs. Looking for Root Causes 23:30 Patients Who Feel Like They Are Out of Options 25:24 Medication Side Effects and Patient Education 27:26 Dr. Google, Food Testing, and Objective Data 29:36 IgG, IgE, and Food Sensitivity Testing 31:48 Delayed Reactions and the Long-Fuse Firecracker Analogy 34:43 Celiac Disease, Crohn’s, Colitis, and Autoimmune Patterns 35:48 Treatment Through Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Supplements 37:51 Affordability, Priorities, and Investing in Health 40:23 Owning Your Health and Understanding the Problem 43:26 Chiropractic, Functional Medicine, and Knowing the Right Tool 45:11 How to Find Dr. Kevin Smith 46:26 Working With Patients Outside Pennsylvania 47:34 Final Thoughts and Closing
