51. Beyond Weight Loss: GLP-1s, Inflammation, and Thyroid Health With McCall McPherson, PA-C

What if the GLP-1 conversation is bigger than weight loss? In this episode, I sit down with McCall McPherson, PA-C, thyroid expert and founder of Modern Thyroid Clinic. We have a candid, nuanced discussion about GLP-1 receptor agonists, the clinical questions that extend beyond the scale, and why safety, nutrition, medication sourcing, and individualized follow-up must stay at the center of the conversation. McCall shares the clinical observations that led her team to explore low-dose approaches with some thyroid patients, including questions around inflammation and autoimmune symptoms. We also discuss what is established, what remains under study, and why an episode conversation should never replace a personal discussion with a licensed clinician. Important clinical note: The episode includes discussion of microdosing and possible anti-inflammatory applications. These ideas may be outside FDA-approved uses and are not a plan for self-treatment. Do not start, stop, split, or change a prescription medicine without guidance from a qualified prescriber. 🔥What you will learn in this episode: 📍 What GLP-1 receptor agonists are designed to do and why product-specific labels matter 📍How McCall defines microdosing in her clinical practice and why this approach requires clinician oversight 📍Why inflammation, thyroid symptoms, nutrition, muscle health, and side effects need to be considered together 📍How to approach the thyroid cancer boxed warning with a thoughtful risk-benefit conversation 📍What the FDA-approved cardiovascular indication for Wegovy does and does not tell us about other health claims 📍Why the episode treats cancer, autoimmune disease, and brain-health topics as active areas of discussion and research rather than promises of treatment 📍Why unverified online sources and do-it-yourself dosing can create avoidable safety risks The FDA has approved Wegovy, a semaglutide product, for chronic weight management in certain patients and for reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity, when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.  The FDA also warns that unapproved versions of GLP-1 medicines do not undergo its premarket review for safety, effectiveness, and quality. Discuss your options with a licensed clinician and use a state-licensed pharmacy.  About McCall McPherson: McCall McPherson, PA-C, is a thyroid expert, functional medicine practitioner, and founder of Modern Thyroid Clinic. As a former thyroid patient herself, she brings both clinical expertise and personal experience to thyroid, hormone, and metabolic-health conversations. She is a TEDx speaker, host of the Modern Thyroid & Wellness podcast, and author of Take Back Your Thyroid.  Resources and Mentioned: Modern Thyroid Clinic: https://www.modernthyroidclinic.com/ McCall McPherson: https://mccallmcpherson.com/ Pre Order Your Copy of Take Back Your Thyroid: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/815338/take-back-your-thyroid-by-mccall-mcpherson-pa-c-foreword-by-dr-izabella-wentz/ Modern Thyroid & Wellness Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Fg4D4MorZ4o9XETRLXaiJ Organic Reds: https://www.amymyersmd.com/products/organic-reds-superfood-powder Organic Greens: https://www.amymyersmd.com/products/organic-greens Connect with Dr. Myers: Website: https://www.dramymyers.com/ Dr. Myers' Inner Circle: https://www.drmyersinnercircle.com/ Newsletter: https://dramymyers.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dramymyers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramymyers Connect with McCall McPherson: Website: https://mccallmcpherson.com/ TikTok: @mccallmcpherson Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa Instagram: @modernthyroid Youtube: @McCallMcPherson 🚨 Special offer🚨  Click the link below to learn how you can save 20% off on AMMD products. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJA6zhB3TZs Timestamps: 00:00 Show intro and episode preview 01:44 Welcome and guest introduction 02:48 McCall's personal thyroid story 03:51 What GLP-1 receptor agonists do 05:21 The discussion of microdosing and inflammation 07:33 Inflammatory markers and clinical observations 10:47 Thyroid antibodies and patient monitoring 18:43 Side effects, nutrition, and dose escalation 21:13 Thyroid cancer warning and risk conversations 25:06 Dr. Myers' Inner Circle 27:54 Cardiovascular outcomes and longevity discussion 37:38 Research questions in neurodegeneration 38:43 Autoimmunity and individualized care 40:32 Dosing supervision and safety 42:01 Online sourcing, compounding, and quality concerns 50:41 Graves' disease and block-and-replace therapy discussion 55:14 Three ways to take back your health 56:26 Where to find McCall McPherson 57:38 Episode wrap-up