# 70: Normal Labs but Still Miserable - Why Symptom Driven Thyroid Care Changes Everything with Brandy Valentino, Jessica Strauss and Krystal Adams

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/modern-thyroid-and-wellness-7026828/70-normal-labs-but-still-miserable-why-symptom-driven-thyroid-care-changes-everything-with-brandy-valentino-jessica-strauss-and-krystal-adams
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/modern-thyroid-and-wellness-7026828/70-normal-labs-but-still-miserable-why-symptom-driven-thyroid-care-changes-everything-with-brandy-valentino-jessica-strauss-and-krystal-adams.md
Podcast: [Modern Thyroid and Wellness](https://stenobird.com/podcast/modern-thyroid-and-wellness-7026828)
Published: 2026-02-26T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://modern-thyroid.captivate.fm
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8b9fc319-66fd-4653-82a7-5bd07722578e.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3844

## Resource

What if the reason many thyroid patients still feel unwell is not their labs, but how their symptoms are being interpreted? Today’s episode is the first installment of a multi-part clinician interview series on the Modern Thyroid Clinic podcast. Host McCall McPherson sits down with three of the clinic’s clinicians, Brandy Valentino, RN, WHNP, CNM , Jessica Strauss, DNP, FNP-C , and Krystal Adams, MSN, FNP-BC, LSO , to help listeners get to know the people behind the care. Together, they share their personal journeys into medicine, what led them to thyroid and hormone work, and why individualized, symptom-driven care matters so much for thyroid patients. You will also hear candid conversations about medical gaslighting, obesity bias, the limitations of TSH-only testing, and why many people with “normal labs” still feel miserable. Along the way, the episode brings plenty of personality and behind-the-scenes stories, including Brandy’s early inspiration from a care flight helicopter tour, Jessica’s love of travel and Disney, and Krystal’s surprising connection to a military dolphin trainer story. Episode Highlights Why this clinician interview series was created and what to expect in future parts Brandy’s story of being inspired in third grade by a care flight helicopter visit Brandy’s background in labor and delivery, women’s health, and midwifery How Brandy transitioned into thyroid care after questioning algorithm-based hormone protocols What Brandy finds most meaningful: the “fast forward” moment when patients get their lives back The misconception Brandy wants patients to understand: thyroid care is highly individualized The reality of being dismissed with “it’s not your thyroid” and why that harms patients Jessica’s personal experience of thyroid symptoms despite co…

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