BackTable / ENT / Podcast / Episode #173
Hypothyroidism Unmasked: The ENT’s Diagnostic Journey
with Dr. Dana Gibbs
In this episode of the BackTable ENT Podcast, thyroid expert Dr. Dana Gibbs speaks with host Dr. Ashley Agan about Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. Despite the high prevalence of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (1-2%), the condition is often misunderstood. Otolaryngologists and internists alike will benefit from Dr. Gibbs’ insight into Hashimoto’s presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.
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BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2024, May 28). Ep. 173 – Hypothyroidism Unmasked: The ENT’s Diagnostic Journey [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com
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Podcast Contributors
Dr. Dana Gibbs
Dr. Dana Gibbs is an otolaryngologist specializing in thyroid, hormone, and metabolism conditions in Arlington, Texas.
Dr. Ashley Agan
Dr. Ashley Agan is an otolaryngologist in Dallas, TX.
Synopsis
First, Dr. Gibbs explains how she shifted her clinical focus from comprehensive otolaryngology to thyroid disease. Recounting her decades-long, personal experience with hypothyroidism, she describes how nonspecific symptoms of fatigue, hair loss, and weight gain can lead clinicians astray. Then, she reviews the pathophysiology and diagnosis of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Using labs and questionnaires, she interrogates the patient’s overall endocrine health, which she addresses using a combination of levothyroxine (T4), liothyronine (T3), and select supplements. She demonstrates how lessons learned treating Hashimoto’s extend to hypothyroidism management more broadly. Finally, the use of integrative medicine strategies to treat thyroid disorders is discussed.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
02:33 - Dr. Gibbs’ Personal Experience with Hypothyroidism
11:32 - Understanding Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
18:26 - Hashimoto’s: A Challenging Diagnosis
33:17 - The Role of Stress in Thyroid Disease
35:04 - Thyroid Medications
51:21 - The Role of Surgery in Managing Hypothyroidism
55:01 - An Integrative Medicine Perspective on Hypothyroidism
59:27 - Final Thoughts on Hashimoto’s & Hypothyroidism
Resources
Dr. Gibbs’ Consultants in Metabolism Profile:
https://www.danagibbsmd.com/
Dr. Gibbs’ Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/danagibbsmd/
Transcript Preview
[Dr. Dana Gibbs]
[P]atients are smart and they are online and they are hearing about this stuff from naturopaths and chiropractors and other people who are putting themselves forward as doctors, but who are not doctors. They actually have a lot of education, but when they go into their doctor and their doctor checks their TSH and says, "You're fine, go away," they are really starting to lose faith in medicine.
What happens is they've also got-- One of the symptoms of having this go on is that you get upper respiratory infections all the time. People stay sick and that's a lot of how-- as an ENT, that's how a lot of my patients came into me. Some of them would come in with thyroid nodules, but a lot of them would come in sick all the time, sick all the time, and then, like I said, we test them for allergies and not get a whole lot.
You might be the gateway as an ENT to say, "Okay, have you had your thyroid tested?" They'll be like, "Oh yes, I had it tested. My doctor said go away." You can say, "Well, but there's more to it. I really do think that I have run out of things that I can offer you as far as sinus surgery and this and that, here, let's do this five test panel." If it comes back abnormal, send them to somebody who knows what to do.
Disclaimer: The Materials available on BackTable.com are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.