Podcast Summary: Better! with Dr. Stephanie
Episode: Thyroid Pause: The Missing Minerals for Women 40+ with Melissa Ramos
Air Date: March 17, 2025
Host: Dr. Stephanie Estima
Guest: Melissa Ramos (Founder, Thyroid Alchemy)

Overview

In this rich and insightful episode, Dr. Stephanie Estima interviews thyroid and hormonal health expert Melissa Ramos to decode thyroid dysfunction, especially as it affects women in midlife. The conversation deep-dives into mineral imbalances—going beyond simple “deficiencies” to explore dysfunction, bioavailability, and the critical role of minerals like iron, copper, magnesium, vitamin A, and more in thyroid health, workout recovery, and overall well-being after age 40. Dr. Stephanie and Melissa also discuss the emotional, psychological, and lifestyle roots of mineral imbalances and the “thyro pause” phase experienced by many women during perimenopause and menopause.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iron Dysfunction vs. Deficiency in Women's Health

• Most women are labeled as “iron deficient,” but Melissa reframes this as iron dysfunction—not a lack of iron, but a problem with how it’s circulated and utilized (06:38).
• Many clinical protocols simply prescribe more iron supplements or IVs, but this can be ineffective and even harmful (07:38).
• "If it's the most abundant mineral on earth, how is it that we're so deficient? So this is not a deficiency as much as it's about a dysfunction of the iron..."
  – Melissa Ramos [06:38]

2. Iron’s Role in Thyroid and Athletic Performance

• Iron is essential for converting inactive T4 thyroid hormone into active T3, which happens intracellularly—meaning standard blood work may miss T3 issues (09:43).
• Key Point: Simply providing more T4 (as with standard thyroid meds) doesn’t solve conversion problems if iron isn’t circulating properly (10:48).
• Stress, poor diet, and declining magnesium also impede thyroid conversion and recovery from exercise (09:43, 21:08).

3. Stress, Parasites, and The Terrain Theory

• Stress (beyond emotional—pathogenic, physical, environmental) can elevate reverse T3 and suppress thyroid function (11:32).
• Parasites are often present in everyone but only become an issue with a compromised “terrain” and can directly drain iron stores (12:37).
• Signs of parasitic issues: teeth grinding, worsened symptoms at full moon, itchy skin, gallbladder pain, skin issues, digestive discomfort (15:56).
• "It's not so much of the germ. It's also very much the terrain. It's what is the environment that these are in."
  – Melissa Ramos [12:37]

4. Iron, Copper, and the “Taxi Cab” Analogy

• Unbound vs. Bound Iron: Iron needs to be transported and regulated by a protein called ceruloplasmin (the “taxi cab”). The “taxi door” is opened by vitamin A (as retinol) and copper (21:08, 21:20).
• Dysfunctional iron gets trapped in tissues, especially the liver, where it oxidizes ("rusts") and feeds pathogens (parasites) (25:43).
• The crux: “We don’t have an iron issue. We have a copper issue.” Copper-dependent enzymes regulate iron circulation and energy production (21:08–25:43).

5. Copper-Zinc Balance & Supplementation Cautions

• High zinc supplementation (common in athletic formulas) can block copper absorption, worsening mineral imbalances (28:32).
• Copper should be bioavailable—best from animal sources like beef liver; copper cups and plant sources are less effective (29:54–32:29).
• Synthetic Vitamin C or too much vitamin D can also disrupt mineral status and thyroid function. Whole food sources are preferred (31:42–34:22).

Notable quote:
"People get really freaked out by copper. But if it's bioavailable, we actually need it."
– Melissa Ramos [29:54]

6. Stress, Minerals, and Recovery for High-Achieving Women

• Type A personalities are more likely to drive themselves into thyroid dysfunction by overworking and overexercising; the “solution” is to be gentler, lower workout intensity, manage stress, and ensure adequate protein and minerals (19:10, 21:08).
• Melissa’s own breakthrough came from building up gym consistency slowly, focusing on nervous system health, and celebrating small wins (69:41).

7. Supplements vs. Foundations: Emotional & Lifestyle Roots

• Real healing comes from establishing lifestyle foundations: sleep, protein, magnesium (especially dermal sources like Epsom salt baths), movement, and emotional regulation—not from megadoses of supplements (41:05–47:25).
• "You can't out supplement a crappy diet... Your lifestyle also very much drives deficiency. Your nervous system very much drives deficiency."
  – Melissa Ramos [41:33]

8. Emotional Patterns and the Thyroid

• The thyroid is deeply linked to self-expression. Weight and health challenges often reflect emotional patterns—self-doubt, people-pleasing, unhealed wounds—that need to be addressed for true resolution (72:27).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "If you're rushing for it, you're probably not ready for it."
  – Melissa Ramos [43:49, 61:59]

• "The results that you want is in the work that you're avoiding."
  – Dr. Stephanie Estima [41:49]

• "Your suffering is real. But it's not true. It's not true because it's based on... this concocted version of who you think you are."
  – Melissa Ramos [49:35]

• "Give yourself the grace of a longer timeline... I think that we are so hard on ourselves."
  – Dr. Stephanie Estima [70:52]

Detailed Timestamps of Key Segments

• 06:38: Iron deficiency vs. dysfunction—introduction to today’s core theme.
• 09:43: Iron’s role in T4–T3 conversion and athletic/workout recovery.
• 12:37: Stress, parasites, and their effect on iron and thyroid health.
• 15:56: Clinical signs of parasites and their link to mineral issues.
• 21:08–25:43: The ceruloplasmin (taxi cab) analogy, copper, vitamin A, and iron regulation.
• 28:32: Zinc/copper competition and the pitfalls of typical supplement advice.
• 31:42: Why synthetic vitamin C and excessive vitamin D are double-edged swords.
• 41:05–47:25: Functional testing, optimal lab ranges (ferritin, vitamin D), and foundational lifestyle medicine.
• 49:35–61:59: Emotional healing, nervous system regulation, somatic practices, and savoring life.
• 69:41: Melissa’s “start with basics” approach if she could go back to her first diagnosis.
• 72:27: Emotional protection and the importance of seeing yourself in your own story (photos, weight, etc.).

Takeaways – Practical Steps

What to Check in Labs:

• Ferritin: Optimal (per Melissa) is 20–50 ng/mL
• Thyroid: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Thyroid autoantibodies (not just TSH/T4)
• Minerals: Zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamin D, potassium (through serum and dietary sources)

Supplement & Nutrition Strategies:

• Prioritize bioavailable animal sources—beef liver for copper/vitamin A.
• Use magnesium baths/sprays for better absorption.
• Whole food vitamin C (acerola, lemon) over synthetic forms.
• Sodium and potassium (adrenal cocktail; potato skins in broth, coconut water).
• Avoid routine high-dose zinc, synthetic C, and over-supplementing vitamin D.

Lifestyle/Emotional Interventions:

• Lower workout intensity for high-achievers/type A women with thyroid challenges.
• Slow, savor, and cherish activities—avoid living in “rushed” nervous states.
• Somatic practices and breathwork for expanding nervous system capacity.
• Recognize the need for community, support, and deeper self-love.

Resources & Where to Find Melissa

• Website/Programs: thyroidalchemy.com
• Instagram & YouTube: @thyroidalchemy

Conclusion

This episode goes far beyond a simple thyroid Q&A—it’s a masterclass in functional, emotional, and mineral medicine for women over 40. By addressing mineral dysfunction (not just deficiency), reframing self-care, and integrating emotional and lifestyle work, Dr. Stephanie and Melissa offer a framework for healing that is as compassionate as it is actionable.

“It isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being better.”

For anyone struggling with energy, weight, thyroid health, or seeking to age with vibrancy—this conversation is not to be missed.