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If you’ve tried eczema creams, steroids, and injections but your skin keeps flaring up, here’s the truth: the real problem isn’t your skin — it’s your gut.

Today, I’m going to show you why gut dysfunction causes eczema and the exact protocol I use with my patients to heal it from the inside out — including a 6-year-old girl who resolved her eczema in less than 3 months.

My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and author of the FreeDiet®.

Why Eczema Is Really a Gut Problem

In nearly 40 years of practice, one of the most common issues I see is gut dysfunction — and with it, skin eruptions such as:

• Eczema
• Acne
• Hives
• Rashes

A recent case illustrates this perfectly.

Case Study: A 6-Year-Old Girl With Severe Eczema

A 6-year-old girl was brought in by her parents. She had:

• Eczema since age 2
• Allergies starting at age 4
• Eczema on her torso, face, and forearms
• Sinus congestion
• Cat and dog allergies
• Anxiety
• Stomach pain
• Overall poor health

What Had Already Been Tried

She had seen:

• A pediatrician → topical steroid creams
• A dermatologist → more steroids + immunosuppressive creams
• An allergist → extensive blood work, allergy shots, monthly injections

After all of this, she still had eczema everywhere and felt miserable.

Step 1: Identify the Root Causes

Medications can temporarily reduce symptoms, but they don’t fix the underlying problem.

I ordered blood and stool testing, which revealed:

1. Food Sensitivities

She had sensitivities to:

• Gluten
• Multiple grains
• Yeast
• Eggs
• Soy
• Legumes
• Seeds

2. Leaky Gut

Gluten sensitivity and infections had damaged her gut lining.

3. Gut Infections

She had:

• Candida yeast overgrowth
• Bacterial overgrowth
• High inflammatory markers

4. Nutrient Deficiencies

Including:

• Low zinc
• Low vitamin D
• Other deficiencies

These findings match what I typically see as the main causes of eczema:

• Gluten sensitivity
• Gut infections
• Leaky gut
• Food sensitivities
• Nutrient deficiencies

This is why her allergy skin testing didn’t show food reactions — sensitivities are delayed immune responses, not immediate allergies.

Step 2: The Diet That Healed Her Skin — The FreeDiet®

I put her on the FreeDiet®, which removes the most common inflammatory and gut-disrupting foods.

Foods to Avoid on the FreeDiet®

• Gluten
• Grains
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Soy
• Legumes
• Nightshades
• Processed foods

This diet reduces inflammation, heals the gut, and calms the immune system.

I’ll include a link below to the FreeDiet® Phase 1 Food Chart.

What She Ate

• Breakfast: A nutrient-dense smoothie (protein, essential fats, fruits, vegetables, fiber)
• Lunch & Dinner: Meat, chicken, or fish with vegetables and healthy fats

For children, we modify the diet to make it easier to follow.

Step 3: Supplements That Supported Her Recovery

She took:

Children’s Core Support

• Children’s multivitamin
• Fish oil
• Vitamin D with K

Gut-Healing Support

• Strong probiotic
• GI Mend
• Gut Immune Repair
• Candida Solve

Inflammation & Immune Support

• Curcumin
• Quercetin
• Zinc
• Additional nutrients she was deficient in

Her Results: Clear Skin in 6 Weeks, No Allergies in 3 Months

At 6 Weeks

• Skin was clear except for one small spot on her wrist
• No longer allergic to cats and dogs
• Gained 2 lbs (she had been underweight)
• No more itching
• Skin was softer and smoother
• Anxiety improved
• Stomach pain gone

At 3 Months

• Skin completely clear
• No eczema anywhere
• No allergies
• No gut symptoms
• Mood and anxiety improved
• Gained another pound
• Feeling like a happy, healthy child again

And all of this happened without any medication.

Why This Works: Heal the Gut → Heal the Skin

Eczema is not a skin problem.

It’s a gut problem showing up on the skin.

When you:

• Remove inflammatory foods
• Heal leaky gut
• Clear infections
• Replenish nutrients
• Calm the immune system

…the skin finally has a chance to heal.

The Bottom Line

If you or your child has eczema, the most important step is getting the proper testing to uncover the root causes.

When you identify what’s driving inflammation and are provided the right solutions, I believe almost anyone can get better.

Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.

High ferritin is commonly associated with iron overload. But today you’re going to learn about two hidden causes of high ferritin and what to do about them.

My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano, author of the FreeDiet®. I’ve been blessed to have seen over 100,000 patient visits over the last 39 years, many involving thyroid issues—and abnormal ferritin levels are something I see all the time.

This patient was one of them.

Patient Background: High Ferritin After Recent Illness

A 62-year-old man came in feeling exhausted. He had COVID about 10 days earlier, and his lab testing revealed a high ferritin level of 465.

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your cells. High ferritin can indicate iron overload—but it can also indicate inflammation, infection, and several other causes.

Normal ferritin ranges:

• Women: 15–150 ng/ml
• Men: up to 400 ng/ml
• Optimal range: 50–80 ng/ml (this can vary, depending on the person)

His ferritin was 465—well above optimal.

Why Ferritin Alone Doesn’t Tell You the Cause

Most doctors will order:

• CBC
• Chemistry panel
• Lipids
• TSH

If you ask for ferritin, they’ll often add it. But ferritin alone does not tell you the cause.

Many patients are told:

“Your ferritin is high—go donate blood.”

But that can be the wrong advice.

To understand what’s really going on, you need a few additional markers.

The Minimum Tests You Need for High Ferritin

In addition to the basic labs, you should also get:

• Serum iron
• Iron saturation
• TIBC
• CRP
• LDH
• GGT
• Insulin
• A1C
• Uric acid
• Free T4
• Free T3

These help determine whether high ferritin is due to:

• Iron overload
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Insulin resistance – metabolic issues
• illness
• Liver dysfunction
• Alcohol overuse

Hidden Cause #1: Inflammation

In this patient’s case, his ferritin was high—but his iron and saturation were low, which is the opposite of iron overload.

He also had low hemoglobin, again the opposite of what you’d expect with too much iron.

His CRP (inflammation marker) was 154. Optimal is less than 1.

Six weeks earlier, his CRP was under 1, and his ferritin, hemoglobin, and iron were all normal.

So what changed?

Hidden Cause #2: Infection

His neutrophil percentage was high, indicating acute infection.

When the body has an infection, it sequesters iron because iron feeds bacteria and viruses. This causes:

• Low serum iron
• Low saturation
• Low hemoglobin
• High ferritin

This is a protective mechanism—not iron overload.

How We Helped Him Recover

To speed up his recovery, I put him on an anti-inflammatory diet and specific supplements.

After One Month

The following returned to normal:

• Ferritin
• Iron
• Percent saturation
• Serum iron
• Hemoglobin
• White blood cells
• Neutrophils

And he was feeling significantly better.

The FreeDiet®: The Foundation of His Recovery

I had him follow the FreeDiet®, a plan I developed years ago while healing my own Hashimoto’s, 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 are the foods most commonly responsible for inflammation, gut issues, thyroid dysfunction, and chronic health problems.

If you’d like the FreeDiet® Phase 1 food chart, I’ll include a link below and at the end of this post.

Supplements That Supported His Recovery

He took the  Functional Five, the foundational nutrients I find most people need:

• Multivitamin
• Fish oil
• Vitamin D with K
• Magnesium
• Probiotic

Plus immune-supportive nutrients:

• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Vitamin C
• Resveratrol & Quercetin

The Bottom Line: High Ferritin Isn’t Always Iron Overload

If you have high ferritin, don’t assume it’s from too much iron.

Get the proper testing so you can uncover the real cause—whether it’s inflammation, infection, metabolic issues, or something else.

When you identify the root causes and are provided with the right solutions, I believe almost anyone can get better.

Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.

Someone recently asked me, “What are the most memorable patient transformations you’ve seen over the last 40 years of practice?” One patient immediately came to mind—an 11-year-old girl with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis who was able to get out of pain, get off all her medication, and completely turn her life around.

My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and author of the FreeDiet®. Most of the patients I see come in with gut or thyroid issues, and this patient was no exception.

Her Symptoms: Pain, Swelling & Life on Hold

This young girl came in with:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Pain and swelling in her hands, elbows, knees, feet, neck, and back

She had been diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, now called juvenile idiopathic arthritis, meaning the cause is unknown.

One rheumatologist also diagnosed her with:

• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic pain syndrome

What Doctors Told Her

She was prescribed:

• Steroids
• Antibiotics
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Muscle relaxants
• Anticonvulsants
• Antidepressants

Despite all of this, she was still in pain.

Her life came to a standstill:

• She couldn’t go to school
• She couldn’t ride horses (her passion)
• Her hand was so swollen she couldn’t write
• She stayed home all day watching TV
• She felt isolated and depressed

The doctors told her parents:

“This is for life. She’ll need steroids forever. She won’t be able to go to school. She’ll be homebound.”

But they refused to accept that as her future.

What Was Missing: No One Looked for Root Causes

Despite seeing multiple specialists, no one:

• Ran blood or urine analysis
• Evaluated her gut health
• Checked for nutrient deficiencies
• Assessed her sleep, diet, or exercise
• Considered emotional stress
• Looked for underlying inflammation

She was given labels—but no answers.

The Approach That Changed Everything

I worked with her for almost three months using:

• A gut-healing, anti-inflammatory diet
• Nutritional supplements
• Manual therapy
• Gentle movement and rehabilitation

Little by little, she began to improve.

Her Transformation: Pain Gone, Life Restored

Over the course of three months:

• Her pain disappeared
• Swelling resolved
• Abdominal pain went away
• Energy returned
• She went back to school
• She started playing sports again
• She was able to ride horses
• Her mood and confidence improved
• She no longer needed medication

Her mom shared:

“She became her old self again—socially, academically, emotionally. It changed everything.”

Her daughter added:

“I’m happy again. I’m making friends, going out, and living my life.”

How She Healed: The FreeDiet®

A major part of her recovery was the FreeDiet®, which removes the most common inflammatory foods.

Foods to Avoid on the FreeDiet®

• Gluten
• Grains
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Soy
• Legumes
• Nightshades
• Processed foods

This diet can reduce inflammation, heal the gut, and calm the immune system—essential for autoimmune conditions like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

I’ll include a link below to the FreeDiet® Phase 1 Food Chart.

Supplements & Support

Along with the FreeDiet®, she received:

• Targeted nutritional supplements
• Gut-healing support
• Anti-inflammatory nutrients
• Gentle chiropractic and rehabilitative therapy
• Emotional support and encouragement

Her mom said:

“Everyone here cared about how she felt emotionally and physically. It wasn’t just about masking symptoms—it was about healing.”

One Year Later: Thriving

A year after her recovery, she shared:

• She had made more friends than ever
• She was going out every weekend
• She was doing great in school
• She was riding horses again
• She was happy and active
• She no longer needed steroids or medications

Her words:

“I’m happy about living again. I can be with my friends and do what I love.”

The Bottom Line: Healing Is Possible

If you’re suffering from digestive issues, autoimmune, or other chronic health issues, it’s important to get the proper testing to discover the root causes so you can be provided the right solutions. If you do this, I believe almost anyone can get better.

Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.

Hashimoto’s is Reversible — Here’s Proof

If you’ve been told Hashimoto’s is irreversible, you’re about to learn why that’s not true. Today, I’m sharing the worst case of Hashimoto’s I’ve ever seen—and how this patient was able to get better naturally.

My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and author of the FreeDiet®.

Her Symptoms: The Most Severe Case in 40 Years of Practice

A 53-year-old woman came in with an overwhelming list of symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Bloating and constipation
• Hair loss
• Aches and pains
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Itchy skin, hives, and rashes
• Numbness and tingling
• A stinging sensation at night (“like needles being stuck in her”)

She had seen many doctors and undergone many tests. The only diagnosis she received was idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, and she was prescribed nerve medication—which she had a bad reaction to.

She was at her wits’ end.

The Real Diagnosis: Hashimoto’s Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Her lab testing revealed:

• Thyroglobulin antibodies: almost 5,500 (normal < 40)
• TPO antibodies: 272 (normal < 34)

These were some of the highest Hashimoto’s antibody levels I had ever seen.

She saw an endocrinologist who told her:

• Hashimoto’s is autoimmune so…
• There is no known cause
• There is no cure
• She would need Synthroid
• Her thyroid would continue to deteriorate

She took the medication—but nothing changed with her symptoms.

Step 1: Identify the Root Causes

To reverse Hashimoto’s or any autoimmune condition, you must uncover what’s triggering the immune system to attack the body.

We look at five main categories:

1. Deficiencies

She was deficient in:

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B12
• Magnesium
• Iron

These nutrients are essential for immune function, thyroid health, and healing.

2. Toxins

She had high levels of:

• Mercury
• Lead

Other toxins that can trigger autoimmune conditions include mold and environmental chemicals.

3. Infections

She had:

• Bacterial overgrowth
• Candida yeast overgrowth
• Two parasites, including Blastocystis hominis — a common trigger for Hashimoto’s

4. Food Sensitivities

She had sensitivities to:

• Gluten
• Yeast
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Legumes
• Sugar
• Other foods

Gluten sensitivity is strongly linked to Hashimoto’s. She also had leaky gut, another major autoimmune trigger.

5. Hormonal Imbalance

Besides thyroid dysfunction, she had adrenal dysfunction from chronic stress.

Step 2: The Anti-Inflammatory FreeDiet®

Once we identified her root causes, the next step was an anti-inflammatory diet.

I put her on the FreeDiet®, which I developed years ago while healing my own autoimmune Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, fatigue, and skin issues.

Foods to Avoid on the FreeDiet®

• Gluten
• Grains
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Soy
• Legumes
• Nightshades
• Processed foods

These foods are the most common triggers of inflammation, gut dysfunction, thyroid issues, and autoimmune flares.

If you’d like the FreeDiet® Phase 1 Food Chart, I’ll include a link below.

Step 3: Targeted Supplements

She took the Functional Five:

• Multivitamin
• Fish oil
• Vitamin D with K
• Magnesium
• Probiotic

Plus:

• Gut-support supplements
• Iron Glycinate
• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• B12

For Hashimoto’s support, I typically use:

• Curcumin
• Selenium
• NAC
• Myo-inositol
• B-complex

She also took iodine temporarily because she tested low. Iodine should only be taken if deficient and monitored carefully under a health care professional.

Her Results: Antibodies Normalized

With the FreeDiet® and proper supplements, her Hashimoto’s antibodies dropped from:

• 5,475 → normal
• 272 → normal

Her symptoms—including hives, stinging sensations, numbness, itchy skin, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, insomnia, and gut issues—resolved.

She still sees me periodically, and her tests last year showed normal thyroglobulin and TPO antibodies—15 years later.

She has maintained her improvement and regained her quality of life.

The Bottom Line

If you have Hashimoto’s, chronic gut issues, or other autoimmune conditions, it’s essential to get:

• Proper testing
• Proper interpretation
• Root-cause solutions

When you uncover what’s driving your symptoms and address it correctly, I believe almost anyone can get better.

Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.

You’re going to learn how a patient reversed metabolic syndrome as he lowered his ferritin, glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, and blood pressure by 30 points, gained more energy, and dropped 15 lbs in less than seven weeks.

My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and author of the FreeDiet®. I’ve been blessed to have seen over 100,000 patient visits over the last 38 years, many involving thyroid issues and metabolic syndrome.

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is extremely common and includes:

• Insulin resistance
• Excess fat around the midsection
• High triglycerides or cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Elevated inflammation and oxidative stress

It typically appears in your 50s and beyond, but due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, it’s showing up in younger patients.

This patient was in his late 30s, concerned about his health, low energy, recent weight gain (just over 200 lbs), and various gut symptoms.

Comprehensive Lab Findings

I ran full lab testing, which showed:

• High cholesterol and LDL
• Elevated uric acid
• Above-optimal glucose
• High liver enzymes
• Elevated A1C
• High insulin
• High ferritin
• Low testosterone (low 400s), often linked to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome

Additional functional testing revealed:

Inflammation

High inflammatory markers

Toxins

Elevated mercury

Deficiencies

Low levels of:

• B12
• Folate
• Vitamin D
• Magnesium

Food Reactions

Gluten sensitivity with leaky gut

Infections

Candida yeast overgrowth and bacterial imbalance

Hormonal Imbalance

Adrenal dysfunction with low cortisol, in addition to low testosterone

Results After 5–7 Weeks

After putting him on an anti-inflammatory diet and the proper supplements, his follow-up labs at five weeks showed:

• Reduced cholesterol and LDL
• Lower uric acid
• More optimal glucose, A1C, and insulin
• Ferritin dropped 33%
• Liver enzymes improved
• Testosterone increased 20%

By week seven:

• Blood pressure dropped 30 points to normal
• He lost 15 lbs of excess weight
• Energy significantly improved

How He Achieved These Results: The FreeDiet®

He followed the FreeDiet®, a plan I developed years ago while healing my own Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, fatigue, skin issues, and other chronic health problems.

What the FreeDiet® Removes

The FreeDiet® is free of:

• Gluten
• Grains
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Soy
• Legumes
• Nightshades
• Processed foods

These are the foods most commonly responsible for inflammation, gut issues, thyroid dysfunction, and chronic health problems.

What He Ate: Simple, Anti-Inflammatory Meals

Breakfast

A high-protein, high-fiber smoothie with:

• Protein
• Essential fats
• Fruits and vegetables
• Fiber

Lunch & Dinner

• Meat, chicken, or fish
• Plenty of vegetables
• Healthy fats

I’ll include a link below to receive a free copy of the FreeDiet® Phase 1 Food Chart.

Supplement Plan: The Functional Five & Targeted Support

He took what I call the Functional Five, the foundational nutrients most people need:

• Multivitamin
• Fish oil
• Vitamin D with K
• Magnesium
• Probiotic

Additional support included:

• Gut-support supplements
• Cardiovascular and inflammatory support: Curcumin Protect, CardioMetaboliX (berberine + alpha-lipoic acid), Resveratrol + Quercetin
• Liver Support
• Adrenal Vibrance
• Nutrients he was low in: Methylfolate, B12, Vitamin C, CoQ10, Zinc

Reversing Metabolic Syndrome Is Possible

By following these lifestyle changes, he was able to:

• Reverse metabolic syndrome
• Reduce blood pressure by 30 points
• Normalize key lab markers
• Lose 15 lbs in seven weeks
• Improve energy and overall health

If you’re dealing with chronic health issues, getting the proper testing to uncover your root causes—and being provided the right solutions—can help almost anyone improve.

Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.

Today you’re going to learn about two other hidden causes of high ferritin—alcohol use and liver disease—and what to do about them.

My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano, author of the FreeDiet®. I’ve been blessed to have seen over 100,000 patient visits over the last 39 years, many involving thyroid issues—and abnormal ferritin levels are something I see frequently. This patient was no exception.

Patient Background: Fatigue, Insomnia & Weight Gain

A 50-year-old man came in with:

• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Weight gain

I had previously helped him with gut and thyroid issues, but this time his lab results revealed something more serious.

His labs showed:

• High serum iron
• High iron saturation
• Low iron-binding capacity
• Above-optimal ferritin
• High insulin
• High CRP (inflammation)
• Very high liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT)

I ordered a liver ultrasound, which showed fatty liver.

The Hidden Cause: Excessive Alcohol Intake

It turns out he had been drinking over 12 seltzers a day, each containing the alcohol equivalent of a beer. In the months before that, he had been drinking over 20 a day.

For reference:

• More than 2 alcoholic drinks per day
• Or more than 14 drinks per week

…can increase ferritin levels.

He was consuming a week’s worth of alcohol in a single day.

Alcohol excess can:

• Damage the liver
• Increase iron absorption
• Disrupt iron metabolism
• Raise ferritin levels

Between the alcohol increasing iron absorption and the liver dysfunction, he developed iron overload.

How We Helped Him Recover

There were three key steps:

1. Stop Drinking Alcohol

This was essential to allow the liver to heal and ferritin levels to normalize.

2. Follow a Specific Anti-Inflammatory Diet

I put him on the FreeDiet®, which I developed years ago while healing my own autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroid and 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 are the foods most commonly responsible for inflammation, gut issues, thyroid dysfunction, and chronic health problems.

If you’d like a copy of the FreeDiet® Phase 1 food chart, I’ll include a link below.

3. Donate Blood (One Time)

Because his iron and iron saturation were extremely high, he needed one phlebotomy to quickly reduce iron levels.

His Results After 2.5 Months

At 2.5 months, he came in feeling significantly better:

• More energy
• Sleeping better
• Down 20 lbs of excess weight

His labs showed dramatic improvements:

• Liver enzymes dropped over 86% to normal
• Iron and iron saturation dropped over 70% to normal
• Iron-binding capacity normalized
• Ferritin dropped 66% to optimal levels
• Insulin and CRP improved to more optimal levels

Supplements That Supported His Recovery

He took the Functional Five, the foundational nutrients I find most people need:

• Multivitamin
• Fish oil
• Vitamin D with K
• Magnesium
• Probiotic

Additional support included:

• CardioMetaboliX (berberine + alpha-lipoic acid)
• Curcumin
• Liver support nutrients
• Resveratrol & Quercetin
• Nutrients he tested low in: CoQ10, methylfolate, B12, vitamin C, and others

The Bottom Line: High Ferritin Has More Than One Cause

If you’re dealing with high ferritin or iron overload, it’s usually not as simple as:

• “Don’t eat red meat.”
• “Avoid vitamin C.”
• “Just donate blood forever.”

As you can see from this patient—and many others—there are multiple causes of high ferritin beyond hemochromatosis or excess iron intake.

When you get the proper testing and are provided the right solutions, I believe almost anyone can get better.

Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.

Is the parasite Blastocystis hominis the hidden cause of your gut and thyroid issues? That’s what you’re going to learn today as I share the story of a patient who resolved gas, bloating, fatigue, and improved her thyroid function after eliminating her Blastocystis parasite while following an anti-inflammatory diet and the proper supplements.

If you find this information helpful, please like and subscribe so more people can see this video.

My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and author of the FreeDiet®. I’ve been blessed to have seen over 100,000 patient visits over the last 39 years, many involving thyroid issues—and this patient was one of them.

Patient Background: Gut Symptoms, Fatigue & Hashimoto’s

A 43-year-old woman came in with:

• Gas and bloating
• Heartburn
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Itchy skin
• Cold hands and feet
• Insomnia
• Hair loss

She had Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroid disease with thyroid nodules.

Comprehensive lab testing showed:

• High TSH (underactive thyroid) despite medication
• Below-optimal ferritin

But the deeper answers came from functional testing.

Functional Testing Revealed the Real Root Causes

1. Parasites

She tested positive for:

• Blastocystis hominis — a protozoan parasite linked to gut symptoms and autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s
• Dientamoeba fragilis — another intestinal parasite

2. Yeast & Bacterial Overgrowth

She had:

• Candida yeast overgrowth
• H. pylori — a stomach bacteria associated with ulcers and gastric cancer risk

3. Leaky Gut & Food Sensitivities

She tested positive for:

• Leaky gut
• Gluten sensitivity
• Multiple food allergies and sensitivities

These can lead to:

• Malabsorption
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Immune dysfunction

4. Nutrient Deficiencies

She had low levels of:

• Vitamin C
• Selenium
• Vitamin D
• Folate
• Other nutrients

Selenium and vitamin D deficiencies are commonly associated with Hashimoto’s.

5. Hormonal Imbalance

She had:

• Adrenal dysfunction
• Low DHEA
• High cortisol
• Low testosterone

These imbalances can worsen fatigue, sleep issues, and thyroid symptoms.

How These Gut Issues Affect the Thyroid

Parasites, yeast, and bacterial overgrowth can:

• Increase inflammation
• Trigger autoimmune reactions
• Damage the gut lining
• Cause malabsorption
• Disrupt hormone balance

All of these can worsen Hashimoto’s and thyroid dysfunction.

Her Results After 6 Weeks

After starting the FreeDiet® and targeted supplements, she returned at 6 weeks with major improvements:

• Less gas and bloating
• No more heartburn
• More energy
• Better sleep
• Less dizziness
• Itchy skin improved
• Cold hands and feet improved
• Dropped 7 lbs

Her TSH improved 50%, reaching optimal levels—without changing her thyroid medication.

Her Results After 4 Months

At her 4-month follow-up:

• TSH improved another 50%
• Thyroid levels remained optimal
• A repeat stool test showed:
  • Blastocystis hominis — gone
  • Dientamoeba fragilis — gone
  • Candida — gone
  • H. pylori — gone

She was feeling dramatically better and her thyroid function continued to improve.

How She Healed: The FreeDiet®

The diet she followed is called the FreeDiet®, which I developed years ago while healing my own Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, fatigue, skin issues, and other chronic health problems.

What the FreeDiet® Removes

It’s free of:

• Gluten
• Grains
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Soy
• Legumes
• Nightshades
• Processed foods

These are the foods most commonly responsible for inflammation, gut issues, thyroid dysfunction, and chronic health problems.

I’ll include a link below to the FreeDiet® Phase 1 food chart.

Supplements That Supported Her Recovery

She took the Functional Five:

• Multivitamin
• Vitamin D with K
• Magnesium
• Fish oil
• Probiotic

Plus targeted gut-support formulas:

• Blasto Pack — for Blastocystis
• GastroBlast — for H. pylori
• Iron
• Vitamin C
• Selenium
• Other nutrients she was deficient in
• Adrenal support
• Thyroid support

The Bottom Line: Parasites Can Affect Your Gut and Thyroid

With the right testing, the right diet, and the right supplements, she was able to:

• Eliminate parasites
• Heal her gut
• Improve thyroid function
• Reduce inflammation
• Restore energy
• Improve sleep
• Reduce symptoms across the board

If you want to clear up gut, thyroid, or other chronic health issues, getting the proper testing is essential. When you uncover the root causes and are provided the right solutions, I believe almost anyone can get better.

Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.

I recently helped a patient who came to see me for what he believed was high iron. He actually had iron deficiency anemia caused by too much therapeutic phlebotomy.

Phlebotomy (or blood donation) can be helpful for:

• Iron overload
• High hemoglobin
• Thickened blood from testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)

But it also carries risks—especially when overdone. Today, you’ll learn how to determine whether you need phlebotomy, how often to do it, and how this patient restored his health.

My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and author of the FreeDiet®. I’ve been blessed to have seen over 100,000 patient visits over the last 39 years, many involving gut, thyroid, and ferritin issues.

The Problem: Misinterpreting Hemoglobin as Iron

This patient came in with:

• High iron (or so he thought)
• Joint pain
• Inflammation
• Fatigue
• Poor muscle endurance
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• Bloating, gas, heartburn, constipation

He had been doing testosterone injections twice weekly for years, and his doctor told him to donate blood regularly because TRT can raise hemoglobin and thicken the blood.

So he donated blood every two weeks for two months, checking only his hemoglobin.

Here’s the issue:

• Hemoglobin is NOT the same as iron.
• Hemoglobin contains iron, but measuring hemoglobin alone does not tell you whether your iron stores are high or low.
• Many people are told, “Your hemoglobin is low, so your iron is low,” but this is not always accurate.

When I ran a full blood panel, it turned out he had iron deficiency anemia, including:

• Low red blood cells
• Low hemoglobin
• Low iron
• Low saturation
• Low ferritin (14)

He also had markers of metabolic syndrome:

• High glucose
• High A1C
• High uric acid
• High insulin
• High inflammatory markers

and more.

The Minimum Tests You Need Before Donating Blood

Before deciding whether you need phlebotomy—and how often—you must get the right tests.

Minimum Initial Tests

• CBC
• Comprehensive metabolic panel
• Ferritin
• Serum iron, iron saturation, and TIBC
• Lipids
• TSH
• CRP
• LDH
• GGT
• Insulin
• A1C
• Uric acid
• Free T4
• Free T3

These help determine whether you truly have high ferritin or iron overload.

Minimum Follow-up Tests to Determine Phlebotomy Frequency

Instead of checking hemoglobin alone, you need:

• CBC
• Comprehensive metabolic panel
• Ferritin
• Iron saturation
• TIBC

This prevents the common mistake of over-donating and becoming anemic—exactly what happened to this patient.

How We Restored His Iron Levels and Overall Health

After reviewing his full results—including deficiencies, toxins, infections, food reactions, and hormonal imbalance—I put him on a specific anti-inflammatory diet and targeted supplements.

Results After 8 Weeks

• Anemia resolved
• Ferritin normalized
• Energy improved
• Inflammation decreased

Results Over the Following Months

The following improved to optimal levels:

• Glucose
• A1C
• Insulin
• Uric acid
• HDL
• Homocysteine

He also:

• Lost 20 lbs
• No longer needed blood pressure medication
• Stopped testosterone injections
• Had testosterone levels in the 500s naturally within six months
• Experienced less pain and inflammation
• Saw major improvement in gut symptoms

The FreeDiet®: The Foundation of His Recovery

The diet I put him on is called the FreeDiet®, an anti-inflammatory plan I developed years ago while healing my own autoimmune Hashimoto’s, 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 are the foods most commonly responsible for inflammation, gut issues, thyroid dysfunction, and chronic health problems.

He also had additional food allergies that we addressed.

Supplements That Supported His Recovery

He took the Functional Five, the foundational supplements I find most people need:

• Multivitamin
• Fish oil
• Vitamin D with K
• Magnesium
• Probiotic

Additional support included:

• Gut-supportive supplements
• Curcumin
• CardioMetaboliX (berberine + alpha-lipoic acid)
• Resveratrol + Quercetin
• Other nutrients he tested low in

The Takeaway: Don’t Assume High Ferritin Means Iron Overload

If you have high ferritin or high hemoglobin, don’t assume it’s iron overload and rush to donate blood.

Get the proper testing first.

When you uncover the root causes and are provided the right solutions, I believe almost anyone can get better.

Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.

You’re going to learn how to choose a functional medicine doctor, the five things to look for, and whether you’re even a good fit for functional medicine.

My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. I’ve been blessed to have seen over 100,000 patient visits over the last 39 years, many involving gut, thyroid, and ferritin issues.

The goal of functional medicine is to restore the body’s optimal function by identifying and addressing the root causes of illness—not just treating symptoms. It looks at diet, lifestyle, and environment to help patients achieve optimal health.

1. The Type of Testing and Interpretation the Doctor Provides

One of the most important things to look for is the type of testing the doctor performs—and how they interpret it.

A patient once came to me with bloating, constipation, nausea, and fatigue. She had previously seen a functional medicine doctor who ran a comprehensive health panel, found an iron deficiency, and prescribed iron, digestive enzymes, and a few supplements. She was also told to avoid gluten, grains, and legumes.

But she still had all the same symptoms.

When she came to me, I used a holistic approach and evaluated five main areas:

• Deficiencies
• Toxins
• Infections
• Food reactions
• Hormonal imbalance

It turned out she had:

• Multiple deficiencies
• High mercury levels
• H. pylori infection
• Gluten sensitivity and other food reactions
• Adrenal dysfunction

Once we addressed all these root causes—including eliminating H. pylori—she finally got better.

There are two components here:

• Proper testing
• Proper interpretation

Many patients order tests online and come in confused because they don’t know what the results mean—or they ordered the wrong tests altogether.

Both the testing and the interpretation matter.

2. The Recommended Treatment Plan

Does the practitioner have a specific diet and supplement plan that has been proven effective over many years with many patients?

I developed an anti-inflammatory diet called the FreeDiet® when I had to figure out how to heal my own autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroid condition, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, fatigue, skin issues, and more. Through trial and error, I was able to get better and have refined the diet over decades of helping patients.

A functional medicine doctor should have a clear, structured plan—not guesswork.

3. The Follow-Up Process

Follow-up is crucial.

I saw a patient who was frustrated after seeing a functional medicine doctor who:

• Took months to schedule
• Took months more to review labs
• Spent an hour going over results
• Recommended testosterone replacement (which the patient didn’t want)
• Provided no follow-up support

The patient left overwhelmed and confused—and didn’t implement anything.

In our clinic, we:

• Review results within a month
• Provide clear solutions
• Schedule follow-ups at 1, 3, and 6 months

This ensures patients stay on track and get results.

4. The Type of Practitioner

Functional medicine practitioners can include:

• MDs
• DOs
• Nurse practitioners
• Chiropractors
• Acupuncturists
• Naturopaths

If medications are important to you, an MD or DO may be a better fit, as they often prescribe hormones, blood pressure medications, and more.

Acupuncturists may take a Chinese medicine approach.

Chiropractic physicians are trained to address physical, chemical, nutritional, and mental aspects of health—especially helpful for pain, headaches, numbness, and tingling.

Choose the practitioner type that aligns with your needs and preferences.

5. Experience

They don’t need 40 years of experience, but experience does matter.

A patient once asked if I had treated autoimmune hepatitis before. I hadn’t—but I had helped many patients with autoimmune conditions. By applying the same principles, her autoimmune hepatitis resolved, and her need for medications and a future liver transplant was eliminated.

The practitioner doesn’t need experience with your exact condition, but they should have experience with similar conditions.

A bonus is when the doctor has personally recovered from a chronic health condition. When I healed my own gut, thyroid, and autoimmune issues, it gave me a deeper understanding of what patients go through and what it takes to get better.

Who Is Not a Good Fit for Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is not for everyone.

You may not be a good fit if:

• You’re not willing to invest time and resources in your health
• You expect insurance to cover everything
• You’re not willing to make lifestyle changes
• You prefer medications so you can continue unhealthy habits

For example, a patient with severe constipation went to the ER and spent $11,000 in a few hours. They found nothing wrong and referred her to a GI doctor, which would have cost another $10,000.

She came to me instead. Over six months, her visits, testing, and supplements cost less than the ER visit, and she got better.

Functional medicine is an investment—but one that can save you money, suffering, and time in the long run.

If You’re Coachable, You Can Get Better

If you’re willing to:

• Get the proper testing
• Address the five main root causes
• Follow a structured plan
• Make lifestyle changes

Then I believe almost anyone can get better.

Feel free to schedule a call here if you want personalized help!

Today you’re going to learn how a patient lowered his blood sugar, triglycerides, and uric acid to normal in just one month, while gaining more energy, reducing pain, and losing 16 lbs of excess weight.

My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and author of the FreeDiet®. Over the last 38 years, I’ve been blessed to have seen more than 100,000 patient visits, many involving gut and thyroid issues. This patient was one of them.

Patient Background: Chronic Gut Issues and Systemic Symptoms

A 66-year-old man with ulcerative colitis came in with significant bloating, gas, heartburn, indigestion, cramping, back pain, and joint pain—so severe that even going for a walk was difficult.

After running a full evaluation with lab testing, we found:

• High glucose, A1C, insulin, uric acid, C-reactive protein, and triglycerides
• Low HDL, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol
• Signs of metabolic syndrome/insulin resistance (pre-diabetes), a major driver of aging, obesity, high blood pressure, and inflammation
• Vitamin D and other nutrient deficiencies
• Bacterial and yeast overgrowth
• Celiac genetics, gluten sensitivity, and leaky gut
• Adrenal dysfunction and low testosterone

The FreeDiet® and Supplement Plan

To address the root causes, I put him on an anti-inflammatory diet I call the FreeDiet®, along with targeted nutritional support.

What Is the FreeDiet®?

The FreeDiet® is a diet I developed years ago while healing my own Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, fatigue, skin issues, and other chronic conditions. It is free of:

• Gluten
• Grains
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Soy
• Legumes
• Nightshades
• Processed foods

These are the foods most commonly responsible for inflammation, gut issues, thyroid dysfunction, and chronic health problems.

Lab Improvements After One Month

After just one month on the FreeDiet® and the proper supplements, his follow-up labs showed remarkable improvements:

• Glucose, uric acid, and triglycerides decreased to normal

• A1C improved
• C-reactive protein (inflammation) decreased
• Cholesterol dropped 32 points
• LDL improved
• Vitamin D, DHEA, cortisol, and testosterone all increased

He reported:

• More energy
• No pain
• Better bowel movements
• Significant improvement in gut symptoms
• A 16-lb weight loss in the first six weeks

The Functional Five and Additional Support

The core supplements I use are what I call the Functional Five:

• Multivitamin
• Fish oil
• Magnesium
• Vitamin D with K
• Probiotic

Additional gut-supporting supplements included:

• GI Mend
• Gut Immune Repair
• MicroBalance
• CandidaSolve
• NAC

Cardiovascular and inflammatory support included:

• CardioMetaboliX
• Curcumin Protect
• Resveratrol + Quercetin

Adrenal support included:

• DHEA 10 mg
• Adrenal Support

He also received nutrients he was deficient in, including:

• Methylfolate
• Zinc
• Vitamin C
• CoQ10

The Body’s Ability to Heal

With the right diet, targeted nutrients, and a focus on root causes, he was able to:

• Improve gut health
• Increase energy
• Reduce pain
• Lose excess fat
• Normalize key lab markers
• Feel dramatically better

The body has an incredible ability to heal itself when given the proper support.

If you have a chronic health condition, I believe that addressing the underlying causes and providing the right solutions can help almost anyone improve.

Go here if you would like a free copy of the FreeDiet® phase 1 food chart.