Thyroid Naturopath Brisbane

As a 40+ woman with Hashimotos, Auto-immune, Perimenopause and no immune system I was in search of someone who would help me other than a doctor who just wanted to write a script for the symptoms. Rebecca was outstanding, her advice, the tests she recommended and the education around food was my cure! Within 6 months i have turned a huge corner and couldn't be happier. Ladies if you need someone on your team to help navigate this change of life...please do yourself a favour and see Rebecca!!

About Thyroid Conditions, Problems & Associated Causes

Thyroid conditions affect millions of people and play a crucial role in overall hormone health, metabolism, energy, and wellbeing. When thyroid function is disrupted, it can impact many aspects of life, from weight and energy levels to mood, digestion, and fertility. Naturopathy takes a holistic approach to support your thyroid and overall hormone balance.

In my experience, thyroid conditions are mismanaged. Modern medicine thinks of the thyroid way too black and white, and a singular ‘drug’ won’t help it come back to balance. Many people seeking help from my clinic are on thyroid medication but still experiencing many troubling symptoms coming from the thyroid. Just look at the below diagram highlighting its complexity!

Figure 1. Thyroid Homeostasis From Beyond classic concepts in thyroid homeostasis: Immune system and microbiota (Fernández-García, González-Ramos, Martín-Sanz, Laparra, & Boscá, 2021). © 2021 by the Authors.

Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces insufficient hormones, leading to a slowdown in the body’s metabolism. Symptoms can include:

Many women and men experience these symptoms for years before receiving a diagnosis, often feeling frustrated by ongoing fatigue or unexplained weight changes. Naturopathic care aims to identify the root causes of underactive thyroid, support hormone production, and improve energy, metabolism, and overall quality of life.

Root causes include:

Nutrient deficiencies	Specifically iodine, tyrosine, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, iron, various antioxidants & B vitamins (Hess, 2010). The bigger question is what causes nutrient deficiencies? Considerations include dietary issues, gastrointestinal issues with absorption, heavy metal excess, increased metabolic need due to stress, inflammation and/or chronic illness.
Pregnancy related	Affects 3-5% of pregnant women (Teng et al., 2013), usually due to the increased metabolic demand for vitamins and minerals during a pregnancy causing deficiencies that affect the thyroid. It can also be stress and/or inflammatory related.
Stress, cortisol dysregulation	Stress affects the metabolic demands for the body (Sinha et al., 2023), so is in constant communication with the thyroid gland, as the thyroid controls metabolism.
Environmental toxins	Heavy metals like mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium, as well as herbicides, pesticides and fluoride and bromide (Lisco et al., 2020, Norouzi et al., 2023, Patial et al., 2025, Rafi’i et al., 2025).
Infection, trauma, surgery	An acute illness or condition can affect the metabolic needs of the body, affecting thyroid function. This is a normal process and does not need medication, usually a repeat blood test is organised a few weeks or months later.
Chronic illness	Changes in liver, gut, and kidney function can affect the thyroid.
Certain medications	Lithium, thyroid suppressing medications like methimazole, various cancer drugs, contrast drugs, antiepileptics, immune suppressants can affect the thyroid.
Low kJ diet	This will increase the conversion into reverse T3 which mimics hypothroidism, this is a survival response.

Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism)

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces excess hormones, speeding up metabolism and impacting multiple body systems. Symptoms may include:

These symptoms can feel overwhelming, unpredictable, and exhausting. Naturopathy helps to identify triggers, support thyroid regulation, and address associated nutrient or immune imbalances to restore balance and wellbeing.

Root causes include:

Stress, shock	Increases the metabolic demand in the body (Willems et al., 2023). A ‘thyroid storm’ is a medical emergency.
Smoking, certain pharmaceutical & recreational drugs	Speeds up metabolism and thus demand.
Gut microbiome imbalance	Dysbiosis, leaky gut, and increased circulation of inflammatory cytokines can speed up the metabolic demand of the body. This is known as the thyroid-gut-axis (Knezevic et al., 2020).
Food or environmental allergies/intolerances	Triggers and inflammatory response increasing the metabolic demand.
Excessive exercise	Increases the metabolic demand.
Environmental toxins Chronic illness	Can disrupt thyroid hormones affecting function.
Nutrient imbalances	Excessive nutrients like copper & iodine can affect thyroid function.

AUTOIMMUNE THYROID CONDITIONS (GRAVES DISEASE & HASHIMOTOS)

Autoimmune thyroid conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, or thyroid receptors, disrupting its function. The two most common types are:

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – the immune system destroys thyroid tissue, leading to hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and its associated symptoms.
Graves’ disease – the immune system produces antibodies that stimulate the thyroid, causing hyperthyroidism(excess thyroid hormone), and its associated symptoms.

Key point: These conditions are caused by immune dysregulation, not a problem with the thyroid itself, so treatment may replace or block thyroid hormone but does not cure the autoimmune process.

The immune system needs to be addressed, as if left alone, inflammation and oxidative stress persists – over time, the thyroid tissue and receptors continue to be destroyed, which is why people start (or continue) to feel unwell, and it often leads to medication increases..

This is where naturopathy shines, as we think about the body as a WHOLE and not separate. Root causes of immune dysregulation include:

Gut microbiome imbalance	Leaky gut and subsequent inflammation stemming from dysbiosis is linked to immune dysregulation (Knezevic et al., 2020).
Stress, cortisol dysregulation	Cortisol communicates with the immune system and is a very important anti-inflammatory (Willems et al., 2023).
Nutrient deficiencies	Such as antioxidants, affect feedback loops of the immune system (Hess 2010).
Environmental toxins and heavy metals	Trigger inflammation and subsequent immune dysregulation (Lisco et al., 2020, Norouzi et al., 2023, Patial et al., 2025, Rafi’i et al., 2025).
Certain medications	Can suppress the immune system or increase various inflammatory cytokines triggering autoimmunity.
Other autoimmune conditions	Celiac disease is a specific known trigger for autoimmune thyroid conditions (Ch’ng et al., 2007).
Hormonal imbalances	Specifically estrogen dominance due to the inflammatory cytokines it releases – autoimmune thyroid conditions are higher in those with estrogen conditions like fibroids, and endometriosis (Santin & Furlanetto, 2011).
Genetics and epigenetics	Certain HLA types and gene variants increase susceptibility, but remember that environmental and lifestyle factors trigger the autoimmune response, so this loops back to stress, toxins, poor gut health etc.

Thyroid Problem/Condition Treatment

Naturopathic care focuses on addressing the root causes of thyroid dysfunction while supporting overall hormone health.

Step 1 – Initial Consultation
Your first appointment involves a comprehensive assessment of symptoms, diet, lifestyle, stress levels, and overall hormone health. This allows us to understand your unique situation and potential drivers of thyroid imbalance.

We might review previous pathology and consider the need for updated or more comprehensive analysis to set baselines and direct treatment.

Step 2 – Testing & Investigation
We might review previous pathology and consider the need for updated or more comprehensive analysis to set baselines and direct treatment. Remember we need to consider your individual ‘root cause’. Common tests I use in clinic are:

Gut microbiome mapping
Functional hormone testing like saliva and/or DUTCH
Comprehensive pathology
Heavy metal and mineral analysis
Organic acid testing (when toxicity is suspected)

Step 3 – Individualised Treatment Plan
Treatment may include dietary and lifestyle interventions, targeted supplementation, herbal medicine, stress management, and gut health support. Our goal is to restore thyroid function, balance hormones, and improve energy, mood, metabolism, and wellbeing.

Common prescriptions include:

Diet changes specifically when autoimmune in nature – diets like AIP can be particularly useful
Environmental changes – addressing toxins in the environment
Herbs like:
– Bugleweed, Cats Claw, Motherwort, Lemon balm – for hyperthyroidism and graves disease – decreases T4 & T3, normalises TSH and reduces immune response
– Bladderwrack, Rehmannia, Withania & Bacopa – for hypothyroidism and hashimotos – increases T4 and T3, normalises TSH and reduces immune response
Nutrients like:
– GABA, magnesium, antioxidants & L-theanine – for hyperthyroidism and graves disease – decreases T4 & T3, normalises TSH and reduces immune response
– Iodine, selenium, antioxidants – for hypothyroidism and hashimotos – increases T4 and T3, normalises TSH and reduces immune response

Step 4 – Ongoing Support
Follow-up consultations allow monitoring of progress, adjustments to treatment, and continued guidance to maintain long-term thyroid and hormone health.

Your Thyroid Questions Answered

How do I know if I have a thyroid problem?

Common symptoms include fatigue, weight changes, hair thinning, mood disturbances, sleep issues, and temperature sensitivity. Blood tests and functional assessments help identify underlying thyroid dysfunction.

I’m on thyroid medication, can I still see you?

My GP said my blood tests are normal but I have all the symptoms of thyroid issues?

Standard GP thyroid panels often include only TSH and sometimes free T4.

They may not include:
Free T3 (active thyroid hormone)
Thyroid antibodies (TPOAb, TgAb) – important for autoimmune thyroid disease
Reverse T3 – can indicate thyroid conversion issues

This means you might not be getting a complete picture of your thyroid. Also, the reference ranges used might be too broad –

Labs use population-based ranges, which may include people with mild dysfunction.
A patient can feel hypothyroid/hyperthyroid even if TSH is “normal” within that wide range.
Functional medicine/naturopathic practitioners often use narrower optimal ranges to detect subtle issues early.

Also, timing and repeat testing is important! Thyroid hormones fluctuate, and a single test might not reflect true function. The thyroid is also best tested fasted, in the morning.

Can naturopathy help with thyroid disease?

Yes. Naturopathic care addresses the root causes of thyroid dysfunction, supports hormone balance, and improves associated symptoms, often alongside conventional care.

Are thyroid imbalances common?

Yes. Thyroid conditions, especially hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease, are common, particularly in women. Early support can prevent complications and improve quality of life.

Can diet impact thyroid health?

Absolutely. Nutrient intake, gut health, and avoidance of goitrogenic foods (when appropriate) can all influence thyroid function and hormone conversion.

Will I need lifelong medication?

Some people may require medication, while others can improve thyroid function through lifestyle, nutrition, and naturopathic support. Each treatment plan is personalised. Natural medicine can complement conventional medicine like thyroxine so there is no need to choose one or the other.

Why Naturopathy and Why Choose Us?

Accredited & Experienced Practitioner

You’re in safe hands. As a fully accredited naturopath, I follow professional standards and stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in natural medicine. Your care is guided by expertise and integrity.

Personalised Treatments From A Practitioner That Truly Cares

We understand that health journeys are personal and sometimes challenging. We take the time to listen, understand your unique situation, and provide compassionate, holistic support tailored specifically to you.

Evidence-Based, Results-Oriented Treatments

Our recommendations are grounded in scientific evidence and clinical experience. We combine the wisdom of natural medicine with modern research to create treatments that are safe, effective, and targeted to your individual needs.

The thyroid is more complex than a stand alone medication – give it the support it needs under the guidance of an experienced naturopath

CITATIONS

Ch’ng, C. L., Jones, M. K., & Kingham, J. G. C. (2007). Celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid disease. Clinical Medicine & Research, 5(3), 184–192. https://doi.org/10.3121/cmr.2007.738

Fernández-García, V., González-Ramos, S., Martín-Sanz, P., Laparra, J. M., & Boscá, L. (2021). Beyond classic concepts in thyroid homeostasis: Immune system and microbiota. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 533, Article 111333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2021.111333

Hess, S. Y. (2010). The impact of common micronutrient deficiencies on iodine and thyroid metabolism: the evidence from human studies. Best Practice & Research: Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 24(1), 117–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beem.2009.08.012

Knežević, J., Starchl, C., Amrein, K., & others. (2020). Thyroid–gut‑axis: How does the microbiota influence thyroid function? Nutrients, 12(12), 3789. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123789

Lisco, G., De Tullio, A., Giagulli, V. A., De Pergola, G., & Triggiani, V. (2020). Interference on iodine uptake and human thyroid function by perchlorate‑contaminated water and food. Nutrients, 12(6), 1669. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061669

Norouzi, F., Alizadeh, I., & Faraji, M. (2023). Human exposure to pesticides and thyroid cancer: A worldwide systematic review of the literatures. Thyroid Research, 16(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13044-023-00153-9

Patial, B., & Thakur, R. (2025). Exploring the impacts of fluoride‑induced thyroid toxicity: A comprehensive review. Biological Trace Element Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-025-04840-6

Rafi’i, M. R., Ja’afar, M. H., Nawi, A. M., Md Hanif, S. A., & Md Asari, S. N. (2025). Association between toxic heavy metals and noncancerous thyroid disease: A scoping review. PeerJ, 13, e18962. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18962

Santin, A. P., & Furlanetto, T. W. (2011). Role of estrogen in thyroid function and growth regulation. Journal of Thyroid Research, 2011, 875125. https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/875125

Sinha, S. R., Prakash, P., Keshari, J. R., Kumari, R., & Prakash, V. (2023). Assessment of serum cortisol levels in hypothyroidism patients: A cross-sectional study. Cureus, 15(12), e50199. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.50199

Teng, W., Shan, Z., Patil-Sisodia, K., & Cooper, D. S. (2013). Hypothyroidism in pregnancy. Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 1(3), 228–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(13)70109-8