Better! with Dr. Stephanie – Episode Summary
Episode Title: T2: The Thyroid Hormone You’ve Never Heard Of with Dr. Amie Hornaman
Host: Dr. Stephanie Estima
Guest: Dr. Amie Hornaman ("The Thyroid Fixer")
Release Date: March 3, 2025

Overview

This episode dives deep into thyroid health—particularly for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, or struggling with weight and energy issues. Dr. Stephanie Estima welcomes Dr. Amie Hornaman to demystify the thyroid’s role, evaluate standard versus optimal testing strategies, and, for the first time on this show, unpack the lesser-known thyroid hormone T2. The conversation balances rigorous science with accessible, actionable advice, including nutrition, lifestyle, and the strategic use of supplements for hormone optimization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Thyroid as the Master Gland

• What the Thyroid Does

  • Controls metabolism, hair growth, nail strength, brain energy, body temperature, heart rate, digestion, and more.
    • “The thyroid is the master gland... it runs the show.” (Dr. Amie, 04:05)
  • Low thyroid = "low and slow" – everything in the body slows down if thyroid function dips.

• Metabolism, Recovery, & Immune System

  • Thyroid function critical for energy, recovery from exercise, and immune health: “From a fitness perspective, [the thyroid] helps you recover from your workouts.” (Dr. Stephanie, 05:00)

2. Thyroid Testing: Standard Care vs. Functional Approach

• Traditional Testing

  • Most conventional MDs test only TSH (a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone) and sometimes Free T4.
    • “TSH is a pituitary hormone...when TSH is high, thyroid is low.” (Dr. Amie, 06:51)
  • High TSH is often treated with T4 medications (Synthroid/Levothyroxine) without full assessment.

• Functional/Optimal Testing

  • Should include:
    • TSH (optimal: <2, not just within the "normal" reference range)
    • Free T4 & Free T3 (the active hormone, optimal in the upper quadrant of reference range)
    • Reverse T3 (should be <12)
    • TPO & TG Antibodies (Hashimoto’s testing: optimal is ZERO antibodies)
  • “You have to look at your own labs if you’re not working with a functional practitioner.” (Dr. Amie, 12:52)
  • Many conversion problems (T4 to T3) are missed without comprehensive testing.

3. Conversion Issues: Why Thyroid Symptoms Persist

• Where Conversion Happens (T4 → T3): Liver, gut, peripheral tissues, possibly skeletal muscle.
• Barriers to Conversion:
  • Insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies (magnesium, selenium, iodine), estrogen dominance, high cortisol, toxin exposure, genetics.
  • Iodine is critical but controversial; “Just go nice and low and slow” in dosing. (Dr. Amie, 27:51)

4. Diet & Lifestyle Factors Impacting Thyroid

• Iodine’s Role
  • Essential for thyroid hormone production and conversion; “Every cell in our body has a receptor for T3, also for iodine.” (Dr. Amie, 28:07)
  • Toxic halides (fluoride, bromide, chlorine) can block iodine’s access—water filtration is important.
• Soy & Cruciferous Veggies
  • Soy: Clearly impairs both thyroid function and medication effectiveness if consumed in large, regular quantities.
  • Cruciferous vegetables: Only an issue in excessive raw intake.
  • “Don’t be using soy protein, soy milk... very toxic to the thyroid.” (Dr. Amie, 36:52)
• Gluten & Autoimmunity
  • Gluten’s molecular mimicry can provoke or worsen autoimmune attacks on the thyroid.
  • "Every time you consume gluten, you’re going to have an autoimmune attack." (Dr. Amie, 72:15)

5. T2: The Thyroid Hormone You’ve Never Heard Of

• What is T2? (L-Triiodothyronine, Diiodothyronine)
  • T2 is an active thyroid hormone, but has no standard lab assay yet for public clinical use.
  • Unlike T3 or T4, T2 works directly at the mitochondrial level—enhancing ATP production, basal metabolic rate, steady energy, and targeted fat loss (without muscle loss).
    • “T2 is an exercise mimetic... it leaves muscle alone and only targets body fat.” [Dr. Amie, 46:01]
• T2 in Bodybuilding & Beyond
  • Used in the bodybuilder community for years to preserve muscle mass while cutting fat.
  • No negative feedback on thyroid gland (doesn’t suppress natural production).
• Safety & Dosing
  • Human studies: 150-300mcg/day is safe and effective; no reported undesirable side effects at this dosing.
  • “Just use it responsibly, stay under 300mcg.” (Dr. Amie, 48:43)
• Supplement Forms
  • T2 is not available as a prescription drug, but is in specialist supplement lines (like Dr. Amie’s Fixer line).

6. Perimenopause vs. "Thyroidpause" – Differentiating Symptoms

• Symptom Overlap
  • Many symptoms (hair loss, fatigue, weight gain, mood issues) overlap between menopause and hypothyroidism.
    • “My definition of thyroidpause is when your thyroid craps the bed after 40 due to fluctuating hormones.” (Dr. Amie, 63:57)
• Clinical Approach
  • Test both sex hormones and thyroid extensively. Both can—and often do—dysfunction together.

7. Actionable Advice & Protocols

• Fundamental Supplements
  • “No duh” basics: Vitamin D, magnesium, iodine (low, slow dosing), essential amino acids, mineral support, liver support.
• Diet
  • Avoid sugar, seed oils, processed foods.
  • Strictly eliminate gluten if hypothyroid or Hashimoto’s.
• Exercise
  • Resistance training is essential; avoid chronic cardio. “It is so detrimental to a woman’s thyroid function... we have to stop being cardio queens.” (Dr. Amie, 76:41)
  • If you can’t lift heavy, work to muscle failure in whatever capacity you have.
    • “I’m asking for 45 minutes a couple times a week. You can do that.” (Dr. Stephanie, 79:18)
• Lifestyle
  • Address stress, prioritize sleep, manage insulin resistance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You have antibodies? You have 20 soldiers attacking your thyroid. So who made the 34 (cutoff)?... That’s silly to wait until someone has that little H or the little red.” (Dr. Amie, 19:08)
• “I don’t care if you don’t like it, you have to do it… It’s called being an adult.” (Dr. Stephanie, 76:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• The basics of thyroid function: 04:04–06:45
• Standard vs. optimal thyroid testing: 06:46–13:28
• Functional lab ranges explained: 12:36–17:28
• Hashimoto’s & antibody controversies: 18:46–21:56
• Conversion issues, causes, and iodine: 24:04–31:25
• T2: Mechanisms and benefits: 40:58–47:45
• T2 dosing, safety, and application: 48:34–54:56
• Menopause, thyroid pause, differential diagnosis: 63:37–66:00
• Lifestyle, nutrition, and fitness protocols: 71:20–79:18

Where to Find Dr. Amie & Resources

• Podcast: The Thyroid Fixer
• Website: doctoramie.com (Thyroid protocols, supplements, patient consults in US/Canada)
• Special Offer: Betterlifedoctor.com/betty (Code BETTY20 for supplement discount)

Bottom Line:
Women over 40 or experiencing classic symptoms should advocate for comprehensive thyroid testing and take a functional, lifestyle-first approach—covering nutrition, resistance training, foundational supplementation, and thoughtful hormone support. Emerging evidence for T2 supplementation is promising, particularly for metabolic health, but should be used judiciously.

For More:
Listen everywhere you get podcasts, and check show notes for detailed recommendations, further resources, and links to Dr. Amie’s offerings.