Naturopathic doctor providing holistic health care in Bowmanville and Virtually (Ontario Wide).
07/03/2025
🌿✨ Something exciting is in the works and I can’t wait to share it with you!
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It’s something many of you have been asking about… and I’ve been quietly planning behind the scenes. The pieces are finally coming together, and let’s just say - this change is going to bring us a little closer in the best possible way.
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💭 Think you know what it is? Drop your guess in the comments!
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(And yes... there are a few hidden hints sprinkled around if you’re paying attention)
05/08/2025
It’s frustrating… your tests are “normal,” but you know something’s off. You’re not imagining it. Here’s what most people don’t realize 👇
🔍Lab ranges are based on population averages.
“Normal” just means your result falls within what’s common — not necessarily what’s optimal for you. For example, someone might have a TSH of 4.0 (within range) and still have symptoms of hypothyroidism.
📉Lab tests often catch disease late.
Many tests are designed to detect disease once it’s progressed — not early dysfunction. You can feel symptoms long before labs show a problem. Think insulin resistance long before full-blown diabetes.
📋Some conditions don’t show up on routine labs.
Chronic fatigue, Lyme disease, SIBO, mold illness, post-viral syndromes, & certain autoimmune conditions may require advanced or more specific testing, or be missed entirely.
🧠Your experience matters as much as your labs.
Symptoms are data too. Dismissing how someone feels just because labs are normal can delay real help and healing.
So if you feel unwell, keep advocating for answers. A normal test result doesn’t mean nothing is wrong. It just means more investigation is needed.
04/14/2025
How Is Hypothyroidism Diagnosed? 🩺
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Standard thyroid testing typically only includes:
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❌ TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
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📉 But TSH alone doesn’t provide a full picture of thyroid health!
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TSH is a signal from the brain (pituitary gland) to the thyroid, but it doesn’t show how well your thyroid hormones are being produced, converted, or utilized by your body.
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A comprehensive thyroid panel should include:
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🔍 TSH – Measures how well your brain is communicating with your thyroid
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🔍 Free T3 & Free T4 – Show the actual levels of active thyroid hormones available for use
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🔍 Reverse T3 (rT3) – Helps determine if your body is properly converting T4 into the active T3 form or if stress and inflammation are blocking the process
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🔍 Thyroid Antibodies (TPO & TGAB) – Detect autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s, which can cause hypothyroidism even when TSH appears “normal”
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Why Does a Full Panel Matter?
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➡️ Hidden Hypothyroidism: Many people have symptoms of hypothyroidism (fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, hair loss) even with a “normal” TSH. A full panel helps uncover issues that may be missed.
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➡️ Autoimmune Connection: Over 90% of hypothyroidism cases are caused by Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune condition—not just a sluggish thyroid. Detecting antibodies is crucial for proper treatment.
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➡️ Conversion Issues: Some people struggle to convert T4 (inactive) into T3 (active), leading to symptoms despite “normal” labs. Reverse T3 helps assess this.
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🧪 Your health deserves a deeper look! Don’t settle for incomplete testing—understanding your thyroid function fully is key to feeling your best.
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We’re happy to help, just reach out! 🤗
04/10/2025
Stress impacts your body in more ways than you might think — over time, it can push your cortisol levels too HIGH or too LOW. Here’s how to spot the difference 👇
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⚡️ High Cortisol = Overdrive Mode:
• “Wired but tired”
• Anxious, irritable
• Trouble staying asleep
• Belly weight gain, sugar cravings
• High blood pressure
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💤 Low Cortisol = Burnout Mode:
• Exhausted
• Depression, low motivation
• Hard to wake up
• Weight loss, salt cravings
• Low blood pressure, dizziness
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🔁 Shared Symptoms:
Fatigue, brain fog, digestive problems, hormonal imbalance (irregular cycles, low libido), and low immunity.
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💬 Feeling off? Don’t guess — high and low cortisol need different treatment approaches. Thorough assessment and a tailored treatment plan can make all the difference. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Let’s work together to find your balance! 🤗
04/07/2025
Did you know that imbalances in estrogen and progesterone can slow down your thyroid function? If you’re dealing with fatigue, weight gain, hair thinning, or irregular cycles, your hormones and thyroid might be out of sync!
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The Female Hormone - Thyroid Connection:
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🎀 Estrogen dominance (too much estrogen relative to progesterone) can increase thyroid-binding proteins, making thyroid hormones less available to your cells.
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🎀 Low progesterone (common in stress, perimenopause & PCOS) can reduce thyroid function, leading to sluggish metabolism.
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🎀 Pregnancy & postpartum changes can trigger thyroid imbalances—this is why many women develop hypothyroidism after having a baby!
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🎀 Menopause & perimenopause can worsen thyroid symptoms due to declining hormones.
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☹️ The problem? Many women are given thyroid medication without addressing underlying hormone imbalances, leading to persistent symptoms.
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😁 The good news? There are natural options to support hormone balance, and in turn, improve thyroid function!
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We are happy to help, just reach out! 💜
04/03/2025
If you’ve received a bloodwork requisition from us and have been putting it off, now’s the time to get it done!
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🩸Your results help us uncover missing pieces to your health puzzle.
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🩸The sooner we have them, the sooner we can move forward with your care plan.
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🩸Delays could mean missed opportunities for early intervention.
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Check your requisition date, review the instructions in your treatment plan, & book your lab visit today (or you can go as a walk-in)!
04/02/2025
Not all hypothyroidism is the same! Around 90% of hypothyroid cases are caused by Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune condition.
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How Hashimoto’s is Different:
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🦋 Not just a thyroid issue – Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease, meaning your immune system is attacking key components in the production of thyroid hormones.
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🦋 Symptoms can fluctuate – You might have periods of hyperthyroidism (anxiety, fast heart rate) before becoming hypothyroid.
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🦋 It’s often triggered by gut health, stress, & inflammation – Unlike regular hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s requires addressing the immune system.
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🦋 Hashimoto’s requires a different approach! Lowering inflammation & supporting your immune system is KEY.
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🚨 The problem? Many doctors only test TSH, missing the autoimmune component. If you’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism it’s important to have your thyroid antibodies tested to see if you have Hashimoto’s.
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Interested in working together? 😊 New patients can schedule their Complimentary Alignment Call via our online booking page at www.dremilymclaughlin.com
04/01/2025
Postpartum Women Are at Higher Risk for Thyroid Issues 🤱
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Many postpartum thyroid issues go undiagnosed because symptoms like fatigue, low mood/anxiety, hair loss, and brain fog are often brushed off as “normal” parts of motherhood. Common postpartum symptoms can often overlap with signs of thyroid imbalances.
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🔍 How Pregnancy & Postpartum Affect the Thyroid:
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➡️Pregnancy Increases Thyroid Demand: During pregnancy, your thyroid works overtime to support both you and your growing baby. The demand for key thyroid nutrients like iodine, zinc, selenium, and iron also increases, which can deplete your stores and make it harder for your thyroid to function properly.
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➡️Postpartum Thyroiditis: Some women experience temporary hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) followed by hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) as their immune system fluctuates in the postpartum period.
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➡️Estrogen & Progesterone Shifts: After giving birth, the dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone levels can disrupt thyroid hormone levels, making it more difficult for your thyroid to maintain balance.
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➡️Autoimmune Activation: For some women, postpartum changes in the immune system can trigger Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, leading to long-term hypothyroidism.
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If you’re struggling with symptoms after your baby’s arrival, it’s important to get updated blood work to check the health of your thyroid and assess for any nutrient deficiencies that could be contributing to how you feel 💜
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We’re happy to help, just reach out! 🤗
03/31/2025
Hypothyroidism doesn’t always show up the way you expect.
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Common Symptoms:
✔️ Fatigue & brain fog
✔️ Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
✔️ Cold hands & feet
✔️ Hair thinning & dry skin
✔️ Constipation & bloating
✔️ Low mood or anxiety
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But did you know hypothyroidism can also cause:
🔹 Joint pain & muscle weakness
🔹 Puffy face or swollen hands/feet
🔹 Hoarseness or a deeper voice
🔹 Heavy or irregular periods
🔹 Slow heart rate
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If you’re experiencing multiple of these symptoms, it’s time to dig deeper!
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Interested in working together? Schedule your Complimentary Alignment Call today at www.dremilymclaughlin.com 😊
01/02/2025
Life is constantly evolving. A lot can change within a year, let alone within a few months 🙃
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Make sure your wellness plan keeps up! 👍🏼
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Signs you need a re-assessment of your treatment plan:
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▫️Your health status or goals have changed.
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▫️You have fallen off track and need help prioritizing what’s most important.
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▫️You feel unsure where to start with making nutrition and lifestyle changes.
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▫️You’ve been using supplements and have noticed minimal to no benefit.
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▫️You don’t know why you’re taking something or if the dose is correct.
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▫️You’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of supplements you’re taking.
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▫️Dr. Google has you feeling confused with information overload.
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Now is the perfect time to check-in with your Naturopathic Doctor to ensure your treatment plan is supporting your current health needs! 📆
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I would love to help you reach your health goals in 2025! New and existing patients are welcome to book online at www.dremilymclaughlin.com 🤗🎉
12/24/2024
What a year it has been!
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From opening my new clinic to welcoming a little one into the world, it’s been a whirlwind of joy and growth. Thank you for your support throughout this exciting journey.
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Warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a healthy new year! 💕
12/11/2024
I can’t believe we will be saying goodbye to 2024 in just a few weeks time! 👋🏼
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Please be advised that our virtual clinic will be closed after Friday December 20th 2024 and will resume on Monday January 6th as we spend quality time with our families. Emails and messages will not be monitored during this time. Please contact us in advance if needed.
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Hoping to wrap up your 2024 goals or get a head start on 2025? Next week is the last week for appointments before the holidays!🏃🏼♀️⏳🏃🏽♂️
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Visit www.emilynd.janeapp.com to book or send us an email ASAP if you don’t see a time that suits your schedule (we may be able to squeeze you in).
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New patients are welcome to book for January! 🤗
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Dr. Emily McLaughlin, Naturopathic Doctor:
My mission is to guide patients of all ages and health challenges towards achieving optimal health, by discovering the root cause of their concerns. In my eyes, this is essential for long term healing. I help people re-gain control and master tools for long-term relief of mental and physical discomfort.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER
When people choose to accelerate their path towards wellness, I conduct a comprehensive health history, physical exams, and order any necessary laboratory tests. We work together to create a step by step evidence-based treatment plan that is individualized to you. This will provide you with knowledge and skills that can be used in day-to-day life to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent illness in both you and your family.
You can expect to be empowered and be an active member in your healthcare journey. You can look forward to being listened to whole heartedly and understood, having your individual wellness goals achieved, while optimizing your unique physiology to benefit you in the long run.
MY PROMISE
Regardless of the health mysteries you experience, I am determined to find a solution that is congruent with your needs and goals. I'm really passionate about helping you re-discover areas of your life that you have been less able to enjoy due to health challenges.
