Metabolic Health Blog
Dr. Lerche's science-based insights on thyroid health, hormonal balance, energy, and wellness
Who Is Dr. Ray Peat?
Dr. Ray Peat (1936–2022) was an American biologist whose research on progesterone, thyroid function, and oxidative metabolism has shaped the pro-metabolic health movement. This is an introduction to his life, his ideas, and why his work still matters.
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Which Supplements Support Thyroid Health — And Which to Avoid?
Which vitamins and minerals genuinely support thyroid function — and which are harmful. A pro-metabolic, evidence-based guide to thyroid supplements.
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Can Hypothyroidism Cause Hair Loss? Hormonal Causes and Solutions
Hair loss is a hormonal problem, not just a cosmetic one. Learn how low thyroid function, excess cortisol, oestrogen dominance, and elevated parathyroid hormone drive hair shedding — and what diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes can support hair regrowth.
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How Low Calcium Causes Inflammation and Thyroid Problems
Low dietary calcium intake can lead to inflammation and hormonal imbalances including low thyroid problems and oestrogen dominance. Learn how parathyroid hormone (PTH) connects calcium deficiency to thyroid suppression and hormonal disruption.
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Do Vegetable Oils Harm Your Thyroid? The Truth About Polyunsaturated Fats
We are told to replace saturated fats with vegetable oils. But research shows that polyunsaturated fats promote cell aging, inflammation, obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and hormonal imbalances. Here is the truth about these common cooking oils.
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What Is Progest-E? Dr. Ray Peat's Natural Progesterone Oil Explained
Dr. Ray Peat's progesterone oil, Progest-E, is about 20 times stronger than most natural progesterone supplements. Learn why it is uniquely effective, what low progesterone symptoms to look for, and how it differs from synthetic progestins.
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How to Balance Gut Flora: Which Probiotics Actually Work (and Which Don't)
Most probiotics on the market provide little real benefit. Learn why gut flora imbalance affects your whole body — from thyroid function to hormones — and which type of probiotic actually works according to Dr. Ray Peat.
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How to Choose the Right Thyroid Medication: T3, T4, and Natural Options Explained
Not all thyroid medications work the same way. Learn the difference between T3, T4, and natural desiccated thyroid — and how to use thyroid medication safely and effectively to restore your energy and health.
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Does Coffee Stimulate Thyroid Function? What the Research Shows
Coffee stimulates thyroid function, boosts metabolism, and provides key vitamins and minerals. Learn why Dr. Ray Peat recommended coffee as a daily part of a thyroid-supporting diet.
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Does Vitamin A Support Thyroid Health? Dr. Ray Peat's Research Explained
According to Dr. Ray Peat, vitamin A is very important for your health — it has anti-aging, anti-acne, and anti-estrogenic properties. Learn about vitamin A supplementation, food sources, and how it supports thyroid and hormonal health.
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Can Red Light Therapy Support Thyroid Function? What the Evidence Shows
According to Dr. Ray Peat, the red and orange rays included in sunlight are essential for healthy thyroid function and hormonal balance. Learn about the benefits of sunlight and light therapy lamps for thyroid health.
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Does Fluoride Harm Your Thyroid? How to Reduce Your Exposure
Fluoride is harmful to thyroid function. Learn how you are exposed to fluoride every day, why it disrupts thyroid hormone production, and how to protect yourself — according to Dr. Ray Peat.
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Are Bioidentical Hormones Better Than HRT? A Ray Peat Perspective
Bioidentical hormones are often promoted as safe and superior to synthetic HRT — but according to Dr. Ray Peat, only some are truly safe. Learn which bioidentical hormones support your health and which ones to avoid.
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Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: A Pro-Metabolic Perspective Inspired by Dr. Ray Peat
If you've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, you've likely been told this condition is lifelong. But drawing from Dr. Ray Peat's research, there is a more hopeful, pro-metabolic perspective.
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What Is the Ray Peat Diet?
The Ray Peat diet is a pro‑metabolic eating approach designed to support thyroid function, stabilize blood sugar, reduce stress hormones, and increase cellular energy. Learn the core principles, foods to eat and avoid, and how it can benefit your health.
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Is Hot Chocolate Good for Thyroid Health? A Pro-Metabolic Recipe
Can hot chocolate with marshmallows support thyroid health? Learn how milk, cocoa, sugar, fructose, and gelatin may fit into a thyroid-friendly diet.
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What Is Reverse T3 and How Does It Block Thyroid Function?
Reverse T3 is an inactive thyroid hormone that can block active T3 at the cellular level. Learn how stress, illness, and certain medications raise reverse T3 levels — and why this may explain persistent low thyroid symptoms even when standard blood tests look normal.
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Normal Thyroid Labs But Still Low Thyroid Symptoms?
Many people have low thyroid symptoms even when their thyroid blood tests appear normal. Learn how to interpret thyroid labs more accurately using optimal values, pulse, temperature, and symptoms.
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Dr. Ray Peat’s Carrot Salad: Why Ray Peat Recommended Raw Carrots
Learn why Dr. Ray Peat’s carrot salad and Ray Peat carrots became famous for supporting digestive health, hormones, liver function, and thyroid health.
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Does Low Thyroid Function Cause Fatigue, Weight Gain and Hormonal Imbalance?
Fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, and hormonal imbalance may all point to low thyroid function — even when your blood tests appear normal. Learn why so many people are told their thyroid is fine while still experiencing clear signs of a sluggish metabolism.
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A Thyroid-Friendly Dish for Valentine's Day
A traditional Danish recipe — "Brændende Kærlighed" (Burning Love) — made entirely from thyroid-supporting ingredients: potatoes, butter, bacon, and onions.
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Why Is It Hard to Lose Weight with Hypothyroidism?
Why people with hypothyroidism struggle to lose weight, how thyroid function and inflammation drive weight gain, and what a lasting thyroid-supporting approach to weight loss looks like.
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What Is Thyroid Disease? Key Facts Every Patient Should Know
Thyroid disease is one of the most widespread and most undertreated conditions in the world. Here is what every patient should know about diagnosis, treatment, and the pro-metabolic approach.
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Does Hypothyroidism Affect Sleep? The Hidden Connection
Why people with hypothyroidism often suffer from insomnia and poor sleep — the role of stress hormones, low blood sugar, and how improving thyroid function restores sleep quality.
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How to Fight Chronic Inflammation: A Pro-Metabolic Perspective
Why low thyroid function is the main driver of chronic inflammation — the pro-inflammatory hormones involved, how to test your status, and how to heal.
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Is Protein Good for Hypothyroidism?
Why protein is essential for thyroid function — how a low-protein diet impairs liver function, reduces T4 to T3 conversion, and contributes to hypothyroid symptoms.
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How to Treat Hypothyroidism: Five Core Principles That Work
The five principles that form the basis of my hypothyroidism treatment method — diet, supplements, thyroid medication, light therapy, and hormonal support.
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What Every Hypothyroidism Patient Should Know
Why finding the right hypothyroidism treatment is so difficult — and what a complete treatment approach actually looks like, covering diet, medication, and hormonal support.
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The Hypothyroidism Diet: What to Eat and Avoid
The pro-metabolic thyroid diet based on Dr. Ray Peat's research — which foods support thyroid function, which suppress it, and why the liver is key.
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How to Boost Thyroid Function: 10 Diet Tips That Work
Ten practical dietary changes that directly support thyroid function — from which fats to use, to why raw carrots and coffee belong in a thyroid-healthy diet.
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Dr. Ray Peat's Chocolate Cake: A Pro-Metabolic Recipe
A flourless dark chocolate cake using only thyroid-supportive ingredients — eggs, butter, dark chocolate, and sugar. Plus: why chocolate is good for your thyroid.
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Online Thyroid Consultation: A Pro-Metabolic Approach
How my online thyroid consultations work — from the first session evaluating your thyroid function to customised diet, supplement, and hormonal support.
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