Hypothyroidism Signs and Symptoms Checklist

Last clinically reviewed by Joy Y. Erdile, MSc, RD on April 23, 2026. Introduction As outlined in a previous article, the standard screening test for abnormal thyroid function is thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), but if those results come back within normal range and a person has no known risk factors or obvious symptoms of thyroid disease, … Read more

What Does Success Looks Like Now – A Dietitian’s Journey

Note: This article is 4 of 6 articles that have been posted to this website and are in a separate category from research articles, and that category is called “A Dietitian’s Journey”. These 6 articles document my recovery from profound hypothyroidism (June 3, 2022 – October 31, 2022) and represent only my personal experience. They … Read more

Hair Loss – root causes (Part 1)

Last clinically reviewed by Joy Y. Erdile, MSc, RD on April 23, 2026. Introduction Hair loss can be a very distressing symptom, especially when it is noticeable to ourselves and others. However, before outlining strategies for addressing it, we first need to understand what’s causing it. That is the purpose of this article.  The next … Read more

Judging By Appearance – a Dietitian’s Journey

Note: This article is 3 of 6 articles that have been posted to this website and are in a separate category from research articles, and that category is called “A Dietitian’s Journey”. These 6 articles document my recovery from profound hypothyroidism (June 3, 2022 – October 31, 2022) and represent only my personal experience. They … Read more

Measure of Health With a New Diagnosis – a Dietitian’s Journey

Note: This article is 2 of 6 articles that have been posted to this website and are in a separate category from research articles, and that category is called “A Dietitian’s Journey”. These 6 articles document my recovery from profound hypothyroidism (June 3, 2022 – October 31, 2022) and represent only my personal experience. They … Read more

Beyond Diet – the role of hormones in metabolic health

Last clinically reviewed by Joy Y. Erdile, MSc, RD on April 23, 2026. Introduction The role of diet in metabolic health is well-known, but many people do not realize that hormones, including those from the thyroid, impact that health significantly. The Role of Thyroid Hormones from The Merck Manual of Medical Information (1997) [Image of … Read more

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Mistakenly Blamed on Aging

Introduction NOTE: This article contains aspects of my personal story which are clearly marked. My personal experience is not objective data. The pictures are provided only so that people can better understand what the “weight gain” of hypothyroidism can look like, and how different it is from ordinary weight gain. In-person visits to the doctor … Read more

When a New Diagnosis is a Long Time Coming

  Note: This article is 1 of 6 articles that have been posted to this website and are in a separate category from research articles, and that category is called “A Dietitian’s Journey”. These 6 articles document my recovery from profound hypothyroidism (June 3, 2022 – October 31, 2022) and represent only my personal experience. … Read more

Low Carb Breads of the World – the book

Introduction I never planned to write a low-carb bread book, but it came about due to both interest and need.  Beginning in September 2021, I started experimenting with low-carb breads not made from nut flour. By mid-December, I was finally successful and posted the recipe for Low Carb High Protein Yeast Bread, and it turned … Read more

Could Protein be the Appetite’s Control Mechanism

This article was written on October 11, 2021, and was reviewed and updated by Joy Y. Erdile, MSc, RD, on April 24, 2026. Practitioner’s Preface The idea that there is a specific food that acts as the “off switch” for appetite is very compelling. Who hasn’t eaten more food than they planned or wanted? Whether … Read more

Do You Identify as a Food Addict?

This article was written on October 10, 2021, and was reviewed and updated by Joy Y. Erdile, MSc, RD, on April 24, 2026. Practitioner’s Preface As a Dietitian who supports people with food addiction, when I was asked to speak at a food addiction summit, the evening before, I was given a list of the … Read more

Type 2 Diabetes Remission – expert proposed definition

This article was written on August 30, 2021, and was reviewed and updated by Joy Y. Erdile, MSc, RD, on April 24, 2026. Practitioner’s Preface A new consensus report from an expert panel made up of representatives from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), and Diabetes UK [1,2,3] … Read more

High Protein Matcha Drink — role in abdominal fat loss

This article was written on August 23, 2021, and was reviewed and updated by Joy Y. Erdile, MSc, RD, on April 24, 2026. Practitioner’s Preface Green tea, which is high in the catechin EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), has been associated in two meta-analyses with a reduction in body weight and body fat — especially abdominal fat … Read more

Risk of Dehydration in Older Adults During Heatwaves

This article was written on June 23, 2021, and was reviewed and updated by Joy Y. Erdile, MSc, RD, on April 24, 2026. Practitioner’s Preface This morning, I posted on social media about the extreme heat wave that the Vancouver area will be having over the weekend, with temperatures hitting as high as 40°C or … Read more

The Three Ways to Balance Carbohydrate and Fat as Fuel

This article was written on June 15, 2021, and was reviewed and updated by Joy Y. Erdile, MSc, RD, on April 24, 2026. Practitioner’s Preface The human body can use carbohydrate, fat, or protein to generate energy; only carbohydrate and fat are major fuel sources. Protein’s role in the diet is mainly to provide amino … Read more

How Can a Low-FODMAP Diet Improve Symptoms of IBS?

This article was written on April 23, 2021, and was reviewed and updated by Joy Y. Erdile, MSc, RD, on April 24, 2026. Practitioner’s Preface FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which are the types of carbohydrate that are fermented by the microorganisms that live in our intestines, known as … Read more