Chronic Stress, Red Light Therapy, Headaches

Welcome to Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid!

This is your weekly roundup of the BEST actionable steps for those people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions who want to restore their health…by healing their gut. Whether you have hyperthyroidism or Hashimoto’s you will benefit from the content in this newsletter.

In today's issue:

• Main Topic: How Stress Affects Your Gut and Thyroid

• Podcast Review: Genetic Testing and Thyroid Health

• Understand Your Tests: Testing the Adrenals

• Ask Dr. Eric:
  ✔️Can red light therapy assist with healing the thyroid?
  ✔️Is there a relationship between headaches and thyroid health?

How Stress Affects Your Gut and Thyroid

When working with patients, I always begin by having them complete a detailed health history questionnaire, which includes rating their stress levels and stress management skills on a scale of 1 to 10. A rating of "10" indicates extreme stress, while a "1" for stress handling suggests poor coping skills.

Most people rate their stress levels on the higher end (6 or above) and their stress-handling abilities on the lower end (5 or below). In reality, some individuals underestimate how much stress they’re under or overestimate how well they manage it.

I was no exception. When I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, I recognized stress as a factor but believed I was managing it well. However, an adrenal saliva test told a different story—both my cortisol and DHEA levels were extremely low, a clear sign of adrenal dysfunction.

How Does Stress Affect the Thyroid?

Stress can impact thyroid health in several ways. One of the primary mechanisms involves high cortisol affecting the conversion of T4 to T3.

T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone, essential for proper metabolic function. Elevated cortisol levels can inhibit this conversion, leading to low T3 levels. Unfortunately, this can result in symptoms of hypothyroidism and is sometimes treated solely with synthetic T3, rather than addressing the underlying cortisol imbalance.

In addition, chronic stress contributes to immune system dysregulation and promotes a proinflammatory state. Since most thyroid disorders, including Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, are autoimmune in nature, stress can directly initiate or exacerbate these conditions.

How Does Stress Affect the Gut?

In an earlier edition of this newsletter, I discussed secretory IgA (SIgA), which lines the mucosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract. Research shows that stress-related suppression of SIgA can negatively affect intestinal integrity and function.¹

Additionally, stress can impair the intestinal barrier. One study highlighted how stress-induced defects in the intestinal lining may contribute to the onset or progression of autoimmune diseases.² Other studies, including animal models, demonstrate that psychological stress can increase intestinal permeability, leading to what's commonly referred to as a leaky gut.^3,4

Other Consequences of Chronic Stress

While cortisol plays essential roles—such as regulating inflammation and maintaining blood sugar balance—imbalanced cortisol levels can cause significant health issues.

Low cortisol can increase susceptibility to inflammation and contribute to blood sugar instability.

Chronically elevated cortisol, on the other hand, can:

• Suppress immune function⁵

• Decrease bone density⁶

• Contribute to weight gain and elevated blood pressure^7,8

These effects further increase the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Should You Test Your Adrenals?

Adrenal testing can provide valuable insight into your circadian cortisol rhythm and overall adrenal function. I typically recommend testing through saliva or dried urine (e.g., DUTCH test) to get a comprehensive view of cortisol levels throughout the day. Examples of adrenal patterns will be shared in the "Understand Your Tests" section of this newsletter.

How to Modify Your Perception of Stress

Reducing stressors is not always possible—but modifying how you perceive and respond to stress can make a significant difference. Here are several proven strategies:

✅ Deep breathing or diaphragmatic breathing

✅ Mindfulness meditation or guided imagery

✅ Journaling or expressive writing

✅ Yoga, tai chi, or qigong

✅ Nature walks

✅ Using apps like Calm, Headspace, or Insight Timer

✅ HeartMath techniques that use biofeedback to train stress resilience

✅ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or mindset coaching

✅ Spending time with loved ones or pets to promote oxytocin and reduce cortisol

Final Thoughts

Chronic stress can have a profound impact on both gut and thyroid health, contributing to hormonal imbalances, immune dysregulation, increased intestinal permeability, and long-term health consequences such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

While eliminating stress entirely may not be realistic, learning to modify your perception of stress and improve your body's resilience is absolutely achievable—and essential for healing. If you’re dealing with thyroid or gut issues, addressing stress should be a central part of your wellness plan.

Start small: try adding just one stress-reducing practice into your daily routine. Over time, these small changes can lead to powerful improvements in both physical and emotional well-being.

Find Your Hashimoto’s Triggers

If you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, visiting an endocrinologist is likely to result in a prescription for thyroid hormone replacement. And while there is a time and place for thyroid hormone, the problem is that it doesn’t do anything for the autoimmune component of Hashimoto’s.

And so what happens is that many people will take thyroid hormone without doing anything to improve the health of their immune system, which means that over time further damage to their thyroid gland will take place.

The good news is that you can do things to reverse the autoimmune component of Hashimoto’s. And the best way to accomplish this is by finding and removing your triggers.

My book “Hashimoto’s Triggers” will show you how to do this. By reading this book you will discover the following:

• More than one dozen triggers of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

• The different diet options, and how to detect your specific food triggers

• Everything you need to know to heal your gut

• How to reduce fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, lose weight, and address other common symptoms

• Strategies to lower thyroid antibodies when nothing else has worked

• Nutritional supplements and herbs for Hashimoto’s

• A comprehensive list of the blood tests you should get, along with other specific tests that can help detect your triggers

• What you need to do to achieve optimal adrenal health

• Natural treatment options for viruses, pathogenic bacteria, parasites, Candida, and SIBO

Click Here to order the book “Hashimoto’s Triggers”

Save My Thyroid Podcast Review

I have a podcast called "Save My Thyroid", where I discuss how people with hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's can save their thyroid and regain their health. And during each edition of this newsletter I'll briefly discuss a recent podcast episode.

In a recent Q & A podcast episode I answered the question “Should all thyroid patients do genetic testing?” When conventional thyroid treatments fail, your DNA could be holding the key to identify what’s really going on with your health.

In this episode I discuss the hot topic of genetic testing for thyroid patients. I explain how certain tests can uncover crucial insights about medication sensitivity and detoxification. While some doctors are embracing genetic testing, is it truly necessary for managing thyroid conditions?

Tune in to find out if genetic testing is right for you.

Understand Your Tests

Testing the Adrenals

While some practitioners assume that everyone has adrenal imbalances and begin treatment without testing, I recommend adrenal testing for most of my patients. There are several reasons for this—one being that different adrenal patterns warrant different treatment approaches.

Additionally, testing can provide important confirmation that one’s adrenals are compromised. This was certainly true in my own thyroid healing journey.

When I was dealing with Graves’ disease, I knew stress was a contributing factor, but I believed I was managing it well. It wasn’t until I reviewed the results of my adrenal test that I realized my cortisol and DHEA levels were extremely low.

Choosing the Right Adrenal Test

There are a few ways to assess adrenal function, but it’s essential to choose a test that measures the circadian rhythm of cortisol. The best options for this are saliva testing or dried urine testing (e.g., the DUTCH test).

While blood testing has its place, a single morning cortisol level often isn’t sufficient. Additionally, the stress of having blood drawn can temporarily elevate cortisol, potentially leading to misleading results.

Low vs. High Cortisol Patterns

Among the most common patterns I see:

Low cortisol (Patient Tests 1 and 2): This is the pattern I had during my Graves’ disease journey. Typically, low cortisol reflects long-term adrenal dysregulation and can be caused by both emotional and physical stress, including overtraining or poor sleep.

High cortisol (Patient Test 3): A high morning cortisol spike can result from acute stress, as well as poor sleep the night before testing. It’s also important to rule out unusual stress events around the time of collection that could skew results.

Supporting Adrenal Health

No matter the pattern, it’s critical to incorporate daily stress management strategies. I usually recommend starting with just five minutes per day of mind-body practices (e.g., breathwork, meditation), then increasing the duration once a routine is established.

Supplement Support

For low cortisol: I often recommend licorice root (if blood pressure isn’t high) a vitamin B complex, and sometimes an adrenal glandular. These helped me personally during my own recovery.

For high cortisol: Supplements containing relora or phosphatidylserine can be very effective in lowering elevated levels.

A Controversial Herb: Ashwagandha

This is a widely used adaptogen that supports the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis. However, since it’s a nightshade, it may not be suitable for those on a strict AIP diet, and it may mildly stimulate thyroid function in some individuals by affecting the HPT (hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid) axis. Many people tolerate small amounts well, but it should be used cautiously.

Additional Markers in Adrenal Testing

The adrenal saliva test I recommend evaluates more than just cortisol. It also includes:

DHEA – A hormone produced by the adrenal glands and a precursor to androgens like testosterone. Low levels often accompany adrenal dysfunction.

17-OH progesterone – A steroid hormone that serves as a precursor in the synthesis of cortisol, and if elevated can indicate a condition called congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Secretory IgA (SIgA) – A key immune marker found in mucosal linings, including the gut. I discussed SIgA in a previous newsletter, noting how it was depressed on my own adrenal saliva test.

Note: Not all adrenal saliva tests include 17-OH progesterone or SIgA, but most include DHEA. The DUTCH test is another excellent option that includes cortisol and DHEA, as well as the cortisol metabolites, which are demonstrated above in Patient Test #2.

Final Thoughts on Adrenal Testing

Adrenal health plays a critical role in thyroid function, immune regulation, energy levels, and overall resilience. While some practitioners treat adrenal dysfunction based on symptoms alone, objective testing provides clarity, allowing for more targeted and effective support.

Whether you’re dealing with low cortisol or high cortisol, it’s important to look beyond supplements and focus on lifestyle changes, including stress management, sleep optimization, and addressing root causes.

Ask Dr. Eric

During every issue I'll answer a few questions that I think can benefit most people with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition. If you'd like for me to consider your question for a future edition of this newsletter email your question to [email protected].

QUESTION #1: CAN RED LIGHT THERAPY ASSIST WITH HEALING THE THYROID?

Dr. Eric, can red light therapy assist with healing the thyroid?

Thanks for your question! Back in September 2015, I wrote a blog post titled "Can Cold Laser Therapy Regenerate Thyroid Tissue?" This was based on a few emerging research studies suggesting that laser therapy may not only help regenerate thyroid tissue, but also lower thyroid antibodies in some individuals.

At the time, red light therapy units weren’t yet mainstream. These days, however, many people—including myself—own red light devices at home. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to interview experts like Dr. Kirk Gair and Dr. Brandon Crawford, both of whom have spoken about the growing interest and applications of laser and red light therapy in thyroid health and beyond.

What Is Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT)?

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) refers to the use of non-ionizing light sources such as lasers, LEDs, and broadband light to stimulate cellular activity and promote healing.⁹

As Dr. Brandon Crawford explained on the podcast:

“We have so many different cellular mechanisms that are set into motion—or not—based on the type of light we are exposed to.”

He emphasized that certain types of light exposure (like blue and white light) can disrupt metabolic and inflammatory pathways, while specific wavelengths such as red and near-infrared light can help neutralize those effects and promote healing.

Red Light Therapy vs. Laser Therapy

During my conversation with Dr. Kirk Gair, he pointed out that although red light therapy offers benefits, it’s not the same as using a therapeutic laser. He cited a few head-to-head studies suggesting that laser therapy is more effective than red light when it comes to improving thyroid health, reducing inflammation, and potentially lowering thyroid antibodies.

When I asked Dr. Crawford if lasers were superior for supporting the thyroid and immune system, he seemed to agree—but added a key point:

“It’s not just about using any laser. It needs to have the correct wavelength, calibration, and frequency to be effective.”

In other words, not all lasers are created equal, and red light therapy—while helpful—might not deliver the same therapeutic impact as properly applied laser therapy.

Why This Matters to You: For those using red light therapy at home to support thyroid or immune health, this information is crucial. While red light devices can still offer general anti-inflammatory and metabolic benefits, they may not deliver the targeted therapeutic effects that properly administered laser therapy can provide.

That said, red light therapy can still be a supportive tool, particularly when combined with other natural strategies like dietary changes, stress management, and gut healing protocols.

QUESTION #2: IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEADACHES AND THYROID HEALTH?

Dr. Eric, is there any relationship between headaches and the thyroid?

Thanks for your question! Headaches are a common complaint in the general population, and while I wouldn’t say that most of my patients with hyperthyroidism or Hashimoto’s experience headaches, I wanted to explore whether any research supports a connection between headaches and thyroid health.

Headaches and Hypothyroidism

Some studies suggest a bidirectional relationship between migraine and thyroid dysfunction.¹² However, the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear. Some research indicates that migraines increase the risk of thyroid dysfunction, while other studies suggest the reverse is true.¹²

Other studies found no direct association between headaches and specific thyroid conditions.¹³ However, they did observe a higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, among patients with primary headaches.¹³ The authors of these studies suggested that further research is needed to clarify this connection.

While there may be a link between hypothyroidism and headaches, more research is necessary. Additionally, headaches can stem from various causes. Regardless, if someone with hypothyroidism is experiencing headaches, a primary goal should be balancing thyroid hormone levels to see if symptoms improve.

Headaches and Hyperthyroidism

There is limited research on the connection between headaches and hyperthyroidism. However, I did find a case study describing a patient with Graves’ disease who experienced bilateral temporal headaches that resolved once his condition was treated.¹⁴

According to the study:

"Treatment led to fast improvement and relief of his headaches. This case represents a rare instance of Graves' disease where the patient's sole complaint was a simple headache without any other symptoms."

In my 15+ years of working with hyperthyroid patients, I have occasionally treated individuals who experienced both hyperthyroidism and headaches. In some cases, headaches resolved once thyroid hormone levels decreased, suggesting that elevated thyroid hormones could be an underlying cause—even though headaches are not considered a classic symptom of hyperthyroidism.

Headaches and the Gut Microbiome

While this doesn’t directly relate to the thyroid-headache connection, given that this is the Healthy Gut, Healthy Thyroid newsletter, I wanted to briefly explore the relationship between headaches and the gut microbiome.

Multiple studies support a connection between gut health and headaches. One study found that the gut microbiome may have a causal role in migraines, including migraine with aura and migraine without aura.¹⁵

Additionally, research highlights the role of gut-brain axis dysfunction in migraine development.^16,17

Histamine and Headaches

There is also evidence suggesting that histamine may contribute to migraine development.^18,19,20 Since histamine intolerance is closely linked to gut health, improving the gut microbiome may help reduce histamine-related headaches.

Many individuals are unaware they have histamine intolerance. I covered this topic in a previous newsletter, so I recommend referring back to that article and listening to my podcast episodes that discuss histamine intolerance in greater detail.

Key Takeaways

While the relationship between thyroid function and headaches is still being explored, research suggests:

✔️Hypothyroidism may have a bidirectional relationship with migraines, but more studies are needed

✔️Hyperthyroidism is not a common cause of headaches, but in some cases, elevated thyroid hormone levels may contribute to headaches.

✔️Gut health plays a role in migraines, with studies linking the gut microbiome and gut-brain axis dysfunction to headache frequency.

✔️Histamine intolerance may also be a trigger for migraines, further reinforcing the importance of gut health.

If you experience headaches alongside thyroid dysfunction, it may be worth addressing thyroid balance, gut health, and histamine levels to identify potential triggers and find long-term relief.

Additional Thyroid-Related Resources

Click Here for Cold Laser Therapy and Thyroid Health (episode 92)

Click Here for How Laser and Light Therapy Affect Thyroid Health (episode 182)

Click Here for Can Cold Laser Therapy Regenerate Thyroid Tissue? (article)

Click Here to access hundreds of thyroid-related articles and blog posts

Click Here to join the Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s community

Click Here to purchase one of Dr. Eric’s thyroid-related books

Click Here to work with Dr. Eric and his team

Click Here for References

That’s a wrap