106. Your Thyroid Labs Are "Normal"... So Why Do You Feel Off? with Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND, RP106. Your Thyroid Labs Are "Normal"... So Why Do You Feel Off? with Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, ND, RP
The Good Mood Podcast
Dr. Talia Marcheggiani explains why “normal” thyroid blood tests can still coexist with fatigue, low mood and other symptoms, focusing on T3 conversion, autoimmunity, and lifestyle factors. The episode outlines how nutrients, stress, gut and liver health, and even alcohol use may affect thyroid function and how people feel day to day.
57:48•7 May 2026
“Normal” Thyroid Labs but Still Exhausted? Dr. Talia Breaks It Down
Episode Overview
- TSH on its own is only a signal, and full assessment often needs free T4, free T3 and, in many cases, thyroid antibodies.
- You can feel hypothyroid even with normal TSH and T4 if your body isn’t converting T4 to active T3 effectively.
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is described as the leading cause of hypothyroidism, making antibody testing crucial for many people.
- Nutrient status (especially iron and selenium), chronic stress, gut and liver health can strongly influence thyroid function and symptoms.
- A colleague of Dr. Talia’s notes that reducing or cutting out alcohol has more evidence for lowering thyroid antibodies than removing gluten.
“You can have normal TSH and normal T4 and still feel hypothyroid is the main point to take away from this, and that’s because conversion is key.”
Curious about how others manage their health when the lab results say "you're fine" but everything in your body says otherwise? This episode of The Good Mood Podcast is made for anyone in that confusing gap between “normal” blood work and feeling utterly wiped out. Dr. Talia Marcheggiani, a naturopathic doctor and registered psychotherapist in Ontario, breaks down thyroid health in a way that’s clear, practical, and oddly reassuring.
She explains why that single TSH number on your report is only one piece of a much bigger puzzle, stressing that, “You can have normal TSH and normal T4 and still feel hypothyroid… because conversion is key.” You’ll hear her walk through what the thyroid actually does, why hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can look like anxiety, burnout, weight changes, low mood, or gut issues, and how standard testing can miss what’s really going on.
She shares how her own hypothyroid symptoms were dismissed for years, and how finally seeing that her “normal” TSH wasn’t optimal felt validating and relieving. This session is especially useful if you’re dealing with depression, fatigue, hormone shifts, or recovery from long-term stress and alcohol use. Dr. Talia highlights the role of autoimmunity (particularly Hashimoto’s), nutrient deficiencies like iron and selenium, chronic stress, gut health, liver function, and even seasons.
A memorable moment comes when she quotes a colleague who points out that “reducing alcohol and cutting out alcohol has far more evidence to support it than reducing gluten” for thyroid antibodies. The tone stays friendly and down-to-earth, with clear explanations, relatable analogies (think thermostats and overworked economies), and practical suggestions for working with your doctor or naturopath.
If you’ve ever stared at “normal” labs while feeling anything but, this talk might help you look at your thyroid – and your symptoms – with fresh eyes. What might your body be trying to tell you that your blood work hasn’t shown yet?
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