I am Dana Gibbs, MD. I am a thyroid and hormone expert, board certified ENT surgeon and recovered thyroid sufferer. I’m sharing the journey that led me, an ENT surgeon, to dedicate my career to thyroid and hormone health. It’s a path I never imagined back when I completed my surgical training, but my own health struggles and the limitations of mainstream medicine pushed me to make this significant shift. In this post, I’ll dive into why I care so deeply about this subset of patients who often get overlooked and how I’m working to provide the care they deserve.

My Personal Journey with Thyroid Health

My journey into thyroid and hormone health is deeply personal. Throughout my teens and twenties, I suffered from an undiagnosed thyroid disorder that affected every aspect of my life—my energy, mental health, and even my ability to pursue a career in medicine. Despite being surrounded by doctors, my symptoms were overlooked, and I was misdiagnosed with conditions like depression. My constant fatigue put my whole career at risk many times thoughout my Medical school and training years. Despite that, I was able to complete my board certification and start in private practice doing general ENT, but really focusing on Allergic disease and thyroid. It wasn’t until several years later as I attended a continuing education lecture, that I realized my own thyroid might be the culprit in my constant symptoms. This revelation and subsequent correct treatment transformed my life and sparked a passion to help others who might be suffering in silence.

Why Thyroid Health Matters

Thyroid health is about so much more than just the thyroid gland. The thyroid controls energy production, growth, and numerous other functions in the body. When it’s not working properly, it can lead to a cascade of symptoms that are often dismissed or misdiagnosed. Unfortunately, traditional medicine often relies solely on TSH tests, which can miss more subtle thyroid abnormalities. My mission is to dig deeper and look beyond the thyroid gland to help patients who have been told their thyroid is "normal" but still feel far from it.

Integrative Approach to Hormone Health

As I continued to learn more about thyroid health, I noticed a pattern: many of my ENT patients had underlying thyroid issues that were contributing to their chronic respiratory problems, because a thyroid that is not working properly can dysregulate proper immune function. This realization, combined with my own experience as I entered perimenopause, led me to expand my practice to include comprehensive hormone care. I now offer a blend of proven treatments: natural solutions combined with cutting-edge therapies to address thyroid, hormone and metabolic imbalances, all grounded in the latest medical research.

Understanding Thyroid Basics

The thyroid gland is a small but powerful endocrine gland that plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. It secretes thyroid hormone, which stimulates energy production and regulates many bodily functions. Without sufficient thyroid hormone, our body tissues, including almost every system, can’t function properly. This leads to symptoms like fatigue, GI problems, brain problems, weight gain, inability to stay warm or regulate body temperature, blood pressure, and more.

This blog is just the beginning of our journey together. In future episodes, I’ll explore the intricacies of thyroid function, discuss the interplay between thyroid and other hormones, and share an integrated approach to diagnosing and treating thyroid and hormone imbalances. My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools to take control of your own thyroid and hormone health, helping you achieve a renewed sense of vitality.