129: Understanding The Thyroid, Its Hormones + The Impact of RED-S

In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition, I talk with a returning guest, Dr Nicky Keay, world-renowned sports endocrinologist specializing in female athletes. Tune in to Episodes 38 and 98 for my previous conversations with Dr Nicky Keay. For the first time in 129 episodes, we dive deep into all things thyroid and the hormones it produces. Don’t worry, Dr Nicky does a great job at explaining the science in a way everyone can understand!

We debunk myths around metabolism, metabolic rate and body composition, and how the thyroid is involved. Dr Nicky and I discuss how thyroid hormones are regulated and what happens when that goes wrong. We cover conditions of the thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, signs, symptoms, and treatments. Dr Nicky talks about the place for thyroid medications and the caution they need to be considered with. We explore the impact of RED-S on the thyroid gland and its hormones, how being in a state of RED-S can suppress hormone production, and widespread effects of this like missing menstrual cycles. The good news is that RED-S recovery is the most effective way for healing the thyroid and its hormones, not medication! Dr Nicky has a great book exploring this and much more, check it out: Hormones, Health and Human Potential.

Hear more from Dr Nicky on Episode 38 and Episode 98 of the Female Athlete Nutrition podcast 

Follow Dr Nicky and her work on Instagram and Twitter @drnickykeay and her website https://nickykeayfitness.com 

Follow me, your host Lindsey Cortes, on Instagram @female.athlete.nutrition 

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In this episode we talk about:

3:30 What are the thyroid hormones and what their functions

7:00 How our body regulates hormones

8:15 Understanding metabolic rate and weight changes

14:30 Exercise for improving your metabolism 

19:00 Defining resting and basal metabolic rates

21:20 Hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism 

22:20 Hyperthyroidism: overactive thyroid gland; Graves disease

28:00 Hypothyroidism: underactive thyroid gland; Hashimoto’s disease 

31:45 For and against thyroid medications

37:30 The impact of RED-S on the thyroid hormones

42:30 Healing the thyroid during RED-S recovery

48:00 Autoimmune diseases and thyroid problems co-occurring with RED-S

50:55 Learn more about Dr Nicky Keay and her work