<description>&lt;p&gt;Every winter, TSH rises—but that doesn't mean thyroid failure. Dr Eric Balcavage explains how photoperiod, melatonin, and circannual rhythms alter TRH → TSH → T3 and why seasonal adaptation is often misdiagnosed as hypothyroidism.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3 data-start="1439" data-end="1480"&gt;&lt;strong data-start="1446" data-end="1478"&gt;In this episode, you'll learn:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p data-start="1481" data-end="1807"&gt;✅ How shorter days and colder temperatures reset the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis&lt;br data-start="1569" data-end="1572" /&gt; ✅ Why macro-TSH raises lab TSH without true hypothyroidism&lt;br data-start="1630" data-end="1633" /&gt; ✅ How both conventional and functional models misread winter physiology&lt;br data-start="1704" data-end="1707" /&gt; ✅ Five ways to align with your seasonal thyroid rhythm (light, rest, minerals, movement, patience)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Thyroid Answers Podcast

Dr Eric Balcavage

TS Epsisode 20: The Real Reason Your TSH Goes Up in Winter

DEC 2, 202529 MIN
Thyroid Answers Podcast

TS Epsisode 20: The Real Reason Your TSH Goes Up in Winter

DEC 2, 202529 MIN

Description

Every winter, TSH rises—but that doesn't mean thyroid failure. Dr Eric Balcavage explains how photoperiod, melatonin, and circannual rhythms alter TRH → TSH → T3 and why seasonal adaptation is often misdiagnosed as hypothyroidism. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How shorter days and colder temperatures reset the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis ✅ Why macro-TSH raises lab TSH without true hypothyroidism ✅ How both conventional and functional models misread winter physiology ✅ Five ways to align with your seasonal thyroid rhythm (light, rest, minerals, movement, patience)