I’m going to show you how, by healing her gut, a patient balanced her hypothyroid condition and resolved her fatigue, brain fog, insomnia—and dropped eight pounds of excess fat.
My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and I’m the author of the FreeDiet®. I’ve been blessed to have seen over 100,000 patient visits over the last 38 years, many involving gut and thyroid issues. This patient was one of them.
Her Symptoms: Fatigue, Brain Fog, Digestive Issues & Hypothyroidism
A 60-year-old woman came in with:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Insomnia
She was so exhausted she needed a nap every day just to function.
She had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism 12 years earlier and had been on various thyroid medications until about a year and a half ago. She tried alternative approaches but still felt terrible.
Comprehensive Testing Revealed the Root Causes
I ran a full panel of comprehensive lab tests, and her results showed:
Thyroid Dysfunction
- TSH was almost 10
- Optimal range: 0.3–2.5
- This confirmed active hypothyroidism.
Metabolic & Organ Function Issues
- Low kidney function markers
- High triglycerides
- High LDL cholesterol
- Above-optimal insulin (insulin resistance)
- Below-optimal adrenal function
Deficiencies
Functional testing revealed low levels of:
- Folate
- Other B vitamins
- Copper
- Glutathione
Toxins
- High mercury levels
Infections
- Active Epstein-Barr virus
- Candida yeast overgrowth
- Bacterial imbalance in the intestines
Hormonal Imbalance
- Low DHEA (adrenal hormone)
- Low melatonin (sleep hormone)
Food Reactions
- Gluten sensitivity (the most common food reaction I see with thyroid dysfunction)
- Leaky gut
- Sensitivity to eggs, dairy, yeast, and other foods
These root causes were driving her hypothyroidism, fatigue, digestive issues, and inflammation.
Her Results After 3 Months
After starting the FreeDiet® and a targeted supplement protocol, her improvements were dramatic.
Symptoms That Improved
- Better digestion
- More energy
- No longer needed daily naps
- Sleeping better
- Less brain fog
- Lost 8 pounds and reached her goal weight
Lab Improvements
- TSH dropped from almost 10 to below 1
- Kidney function normalized
- LDL cholesterol improved
- Adrenal hormones (DHEA and cortisol) improved
- Insulin improved over 65%
- Mercury levels dropped to normal
- Low iodine improved to normal
She felt like a completely different person.
Step 1: The FreeDiet® — An Anti-Inflammatory Healing Diet
The first step was the FreeDiet®, a diet I developed years ago while healing my own Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroid condition, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, fatigue, skin issues, and other chronic health problems.
The FreeDiet® is free of:
- Gluten
- Grains
- Sugar
- Yeast
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Soy
- Legumes
- Nightshades
- Processed foods
These foods are the most common triggers for inflammation, gut issues, thyroid dysfunction, and other chronic health conditions.
What She Ate
Breakfast: A smoothie high in protein, essential fats, fruits, vegetables, and fiber.
Lunch & Dinner: A healthy protein source, plenty of vegetables, and healthy fats.
I’ll include a link below for the FreeDiet® Phase 1 Food Chart.
As she improved, she moved into Phase 2, adding foods back in strategically.
Step 2: Targeted Supplements to Heal the Gut & Balance Hormones
Along with the diet, she took supplements tailored to her needs.
The Functional Five (Foundational Supplements)
- Multivitamin
- Fish oil
- Vitamin D with K
- Magnesium
- Probiotic
Gut Support
Inflammation & Insulin Support
Thyroid & Adrenal Support
Sleep Support
- Melatonin (she was deficient)
Nutrient Repletion
- Methylfolate
- B-complex
- Copper
- Other nutrients she was low in
This combination helped her heal her gut, balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and restore thyroid function.
Her Transformation
By following the FreeDiet® and taking the supplements she needed, she was able to:
- Heal her gut
- Balance her thyroid
- Improve fatigue and brain fog
- Sleep through the night
- Lose 8 pounds of excess weight
- Normalize key lab markers
- Feel dramatically better
The Bottom Line
If you have gut, thyroid, or other chronic health issues, identifying the root causes is the key to getting better. When you have the right testing and the right solutions, I believe almost anyone can improve their health.
Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.

