60: Reversing Hashimoto's? The Unconventional Tools ...

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In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, I interview Lexi Yoo, a double board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Yoo Direct Health, who brings an innovative lens to treating Hashimoto’s, autoimmunity, and hormonal dysfunction. From repurposed medications to peptides and bioidentical hormones, Lexi shares the exact combinations she uses to help patients reduce thyroid antibodies, restore energy, and reclaim their vitality, especially when conventional medicine hasn’t worked.

Lexi and I dig deep into some of the most powerful, underutilized tools in functional and anti-aging medicine. We explore how low-dose naltrexone, Wellbutrin, semaglutide (Ozempic), and gut-healing peptides like BPC-157 can be used strategically to reduce inflammation, modulate the immune system, and even calm food noise, anxiety, and chronic pain. We also cover hormone optimization – particularly the surprising benefits of testosterone for women with Hashimoto’s – and how ozone therapy and aesthetic regenerative medicine can be used safely in autoimmune clients.

If you’ve tried everything and still don’t feel well, this episode is packed with new paths forward.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is a powerful, underused tool for modulating the immune system in Hashimoto’s. Lexi shares how she tailors dosing based on individual tolerance and symptoms, starting as low as 0.25 mg in sensitive cases. It can help improve mood, reduce inflammation and pain, regulate appetite, and support sleep – all of which are commonly disrupted in thyroid and autoimmune disorders.
• Peptides like BPC-157, KPV, and Larazotide offer next-level support for gut healing and immune balance. These naturally occurring compounds repair gut lining, reduce inflammatory triggers, and can be used strategically in gut protocols alongside supplements like glutamine and zinc carnosine. Lexi shares how using these together can accelerate healing in patients with Hashimoto’s, IBS, SIBO, and even post-surgical recovery.
• Wellbutrin and semaglutide aren’t just for depression or weight loss – they’re strategic tools for Hashimoto’s healing. Lexi explains how combining these medications with LDN can quiet food noise, stabilize dopamine and insulin signaling, and reduce inflammation that worsens autoimmune flares. These therapies can also support emotional resilience, especially in women juggling hormones, motherhood, careers, and chronic fatigue.
• Testosterone replacement can be a game-changer for women with Hashimoto’s – and no, it won’t make you look like a bodybuilder. Lexi explains how testosterone supports the thymus gland, improves libido and energy, and can even reduce thyroid antibodies. She discusses various delivery methods, including pellets, creams, and new oral options, emphasizing that personalized dosing and monitoring are key.
• Ozone therapy is an emerging powerhouse for lowering thyroid antibodies and enhancing mitochondrial health. By delivering oxygen in a unique oxidative form, IV ozone helps improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and support immune function – especially in patients with chronic infections, high TPO levels, or autoimmunity-related fatigue. Lexi also shares how she pairs ozone with UV light, rectal insufflation, and topical applications for targeted healing.
• Semaglutide (Ozempic) can be a safe and strategic option for Hashimoto’s when used properly. Lexi clarifies the misunderstood connection between GLP-1 agonists and thyroid health, and how this medication – when supported by labs, nutrition, and exercise – can reduce systemic inflammation and support metabolic healing. She’s also seen benefits for PCOS, food addiction, joint pain, and even fertility in Hashimoto’s patients.

Guest Resources / Connect with Lexi Yoo

• Visit the YDH Academy Website
• Visit the Yoo Direct Health Website
• Follow Lexi on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
• Watch The Better Yoo Project Podcast

Supplements We Discussed

• Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) – Used for immune modulation, sleep, inflammation, mood, and pain.
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin) – Helps with focus, mood, food cravings, and may reduce emotional eating.
• Semaglutide (Ozempic) – When used responsibly, helps regulate appetite, insulin, and inflammation.
• BPC-157 – A peptide that supports gut lining repair, angiogenesis, and tissue healing.
• KPV – A tripeptide with anti-inflammatory and antifungal benefits.
• Larazotide – A supplement that reduces gut permeability by modulating zonulin.
• GI Revive by Designs for Health – A gut-healing formula with L-glutamine, marshmallow, NAC, and more. (This is available via Fullscript – if you don’t have a Fullscript account, you can sign up with my credentials here.)
• Evolis – A hair-growth support supplement.
  Perfect Aminos (Body Health) – Helps replenish amino acids for hair and muscle health. (This is available via Fullscript – if you don’t have a Fullscript account, you can sign up with my credentials here.)
• Creatine – A building block of protein that supports muscle mass and recovery.
• Vitamin D – An important nutrient that supports immunity, mood, and hormone production. Consider Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D.

Other Tools and Resources

• PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) vs. PRP – Treatments made from one’s own blood to support healing and tissue repair; can be used for hair regrowth and skin rejuvenation.
• GHK-Cu topical copper peptide spray – Helps keep hair follicles in growth phase.
• Ozone Therapy (IV and topical limb bagging) – Supports immune health, wound healing, and inflammation.
• Easy Gel + Ozone Biofiller – Natural aesthetic treatment using PRF and ozone.
• InBody Scan – Used to track body composition and muscle mass.
• Functional hormone panels – Especially to assess testosterone, progesterone, reverse T3, and adrenal function.
• Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) – Measures the cortisol increase just after waking, and helps to assess HPA axis dysfunction and stress resilience through the day.
• Thymosin Beta-4 – Peptide for repair, used in hair regrowth and gut healing blends.
• Anastrozole/Testosterone Pellets – Bioidentical hormone implants which can be especially helpful for breast cancer survivors.
• Better Yoo Podcast – Listen to the BHRT Pellet Therapy episode and my interview about Hashimoto’s.
• Study by Dr. Rebecca Glaser: Reduced breast cancer incidence in women treated with subcutaneous testosterone, or testosterone with anastrozole: a prospective, observational study.

Books and Articles About Thyroid Health

• Why Thyroid Antibodies Matter
• How to Reduce TSH Naturally
• Selenium: The Nutrient That Can Reduce Thyroid Antibodies by 40%and Hashimoto’s
• The Benefits of Vitamin D for Your Thyroid
• How Do Adaptogenic Herbs Benefit Hashimoto’s?
• How to Overcome Hashimoto’s Hairloss
• Low Dose Naltrexone and Hashimoto’s

Get the Full Episode Transcript

Let’s Connect!

• Follow me on Instagram:@izabellawentzpharmd
• Get my FREE weekly thyroid & gut health newsletter: Sign up here
• Subscribe & Review: If you loved this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate it on Spotify!

Got questions? Drop them in the comments! 🙂

About Our Host

Dr. Izabella Wentz 

Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of chronic health conditions. Her passion stems from her own diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009, following a decade of debilitating symptoms.

Dr. Izabella Wentz has written several best-selling books, including the New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, the protocol-based #1 New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back, the Wall Street Journal bestseller Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, and her latest book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol.

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About Our Guest

Lexi is the founder and owner of Yoo Direct Health, a leading healthcare practice that focuses on integrative medicine, anti-aging treatments, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. She is a double board-certified nurse practitioner in the areas of family and pediatric medicine, with a passion for providing comprehensive and personalized care to her patients.

Lexi’s journey in healthcare began in 2011 when she became a nurse practitioner. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Purdue University and earned her master’s degree from IUPUI, specializing as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Later, she expanded her knowledge by obtaining a post-master’s degree in family practice, broadening her expertise and skills.

With a strong interest in anti-aging medicine and integrative health, Lexi pursued certifications through BioTE Medical, specializing in Bio-Identical hormone replacement therapy for both men and women. She is not only a certified practitioner but also a mentor and proctor in this field. Additionally, she has completed the Institute for Functional Medicine courses and is Board Certified as an IFM Certified Practitioner, enabling her to address the root causes of her patients’ conditions effectively.

Lexi’s passion for aesthetic services led her to complete an Aesthetic Fellowship through the American Academy of Anti-aging. Her expertise in this area makes her a sought-after national speaker and trainer, sharing her knowledge with other practitioners. She is also a GAIN trainer for Galderma Aesthetics, contributing to the growth of the aesthetic medicine field.

Beyond her clinical practice, Lexi is committed to research and education. In 2022, she developed the Integrative Residency Program, providing a virtual learning opportunity for other practitioners to enhance their knowledge in areas such as Thyroid Health, Hormone Optimization in Men and Women, Gut Health management, Peptide Therapy, and Aesthetic Medicine. This initiative laid the foundation for the YDH Training Academy, which launched in early 2023, a virtual-based platform that brings like-minded practitioners together for advanced training.

Lexi’s expertise has earned her recognition in the media, with features on podcasts like The Longevity Blueprint and Aesthetic Record. She further shares her knowledge and passion for integrative medicine through her podcast, The Better Yoo Project, where she explores the synergy between integrative medicine and aesthetics.

As a dedicated healthcare professional, Lexi strives to make a positive impact on her patients’ lives, delivering personalized care that addresses their unique needs and concerns. Through Yoo Direct Health and the YDH Training Academy, Lexi continues to push the boundaries of healthcare innovation, empowering others in the field to achieve excellence in patient care and well-being.

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