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Graves disease and chronic thyroid symptoms are often treated as isolated organ issues, but the root cause may lie within your central nervous system.

In this episode of Hormone Heroes, Dr. Kelly Martin Hopkins sits down with nervous system-focused chiropractor and author Dr. Matt Delgado to discuss how severe stress, chronic burnout, and nervous system dysregulation can trigger autoimmune conditions like Graves disease and what patients and healthcare providers can do about it.

Many patients suffering from fatigue, hair loss, sleep disturbances, and gut pain are told their thyroid labs are "normal" because standard testing often relies solely on basic TSH levels.

Dr. Delgado shares his personal story of being diagnosed with Graves’ disease at age 27 after working 75-hour weeks, and how comprehensive testing, including thyroid antibodies and Reverse T3, revealed the true picture of his health.

He breaks down why conventional options like surgery or radioactive iodine aren't the only conversation, and how focusing on nervous system regulation allowed his condition to go into remission.

Together, Dr. Kelly and Dr. Delgado explore the four foundational levers of nervous system recovery: optimizing sleep biology, managing physiological stress, incorporating daily foundational movement, and minimizing internal and external toxic exposures.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why standard TSH testing frequently misses underlying autoimmune thyroid conditions
• How thyroid antibodies and Reverse T3 offer a clearer picture of thyroid function
• The link between 75-hour work weeks, burnout, and autoimmune triggers
• Why the central nervous system acts as the command center for hormone behavior
• The 4 core pillars of recovery: sleep, stress management, movement, and reducing exposures
• How continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) reveal hidden blood sugar stress and inflammation
• Why walking and micro-movements build essential sleep pressure to calm the body
• How reducing central nervous system stress can improve downstream symptoms like hot flashes

This episode is essential viewing for patients navigating Graves’ disease, Hashimoto's, hyperthyroidism, or unexplained burnout who are looking for clear explanations behind their symptoms.

It is equally valuable for integrative clinicians, functional medicine practitioners, chiropractors, and health coaches seeking practical ways to evaluate the relationship between physiological stress, blood sugar regulation, and endocrine function.

CONNECT WITH US!

Website: https://podcast.hormoneheroes.org/2396932

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hormone.heroes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-martin-hopkins-387ab66/

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CONNECT WITH DR. MATT!

Website: https://drmattdelgado.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmattdelgado/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmattdelgado/

Pre-order Dr. Matt’s book: Stepping Out of the Grave: How to Heal When You're Tired of Trying (Available on January 2027)

About the Podcast:

Hormone Heroes with Dr. Kelly Hopkins brings inspiring patient stories and expert conversations about hormone health. Each week, Dr. Hopkins, a functional medicine practitioner and hormonal wellness specialist interviews men and women whose lives have changed after bio-identical hormone therapy, along with leading functional medicine practitioners

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider.

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