Holistic Hashimoto’s Care: Functional Medicine Insights
In this episode of the Fieldnotes Podcast, Dr. Rob Downey sits down with nurse and holistic health expert Esther Yunkin to explore Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. Esther shares her journey from working in the ER to embracing a functional medicine and holistic approach, emphasizing the importance of looking at the body, mind, and spirit as a whole. They discuss the root causes of thyroid dysfunction, common misdiagnoses, lab testing strategies, and practical lifestyle adjustments to manage stress and autoimmunity. Esther provides actionable advice for patients to take agency in their health and simplify complex care plans, highlighting her own holistic practices and self-paced program.
00:02 – Introduction to Esther Yunkin
06:51 – Importance of thyroid lab testing
10:03 – Ask why thyroid labs abnormal
21:36 – Stress and autoimmunity interplay
37:08 – Low vitamin D triggers discussed
Esther Yunkin
Nurse, Holistic Health Practitioner, Thyroid & Autoimmune Specialist, Functional Medicine Educator, Stress & Lifestyle Optimization Expert
Esther Yunkin is a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience in both emergency medicine and holistic health. After 17 years in the ER, Esther grew frustrated with the bandaid approach of conventional care. Now, she helps exhausted women with Hashimoto’s regain their energy and feel like themselves again—without getting overwhelmed. She’s the host of the Health with Hashimoto’s podcast and the creator of the Holistic Hashimoto’s Program, where she shares simple, sustainable strategies for lasting wellness. Esther lives in rural Minnesota with her husband and their four boys, where they homeschool, garden, and raise a flock of chickens.
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