If you’ve been struggling with fatigue, unexplained weight gain, hair loss, or mental fog — even while taking thyroid medication — you’re not alone. Many people in Carlsbad and throughout North County San Diego face the daily challenges of thyroid dysfunction, yet few receive the comprehensive care they need to truly restore balance.

At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, Dr. Mark Stengler, NMD, MS, offers a compassionate, science-based approach to thyroid health that goes beyond simply managing lab numbers. As a nationally recognized expert in integrative and naturopathic medicine, Dr. Stengler has spent more than 25 years helping patients regain energy, hormonal harmony, and vitality through personalized, natural care. His advanced training in thyroid, hormonal, and metabolic health has earned him recognition as one of America’s leading integrative physicians.

Thyroid disorders — particularly hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis — are becoming increasingly common, especially among women. Unfortunately, many cases go undiagnosed or undertreated because standard testing often overlooks subtle imbalances. 

Dr. Stengler’s approach to natural thyroid support focuses on uncovering and addressing the root causes of dysfunction, not just replacing hormones. Through bioidentical thyroid therapy, nutritional optimization, and functional medicine testing, his goal is to restore the thyroid’s natural rhythm — helping patients feel like themselves again.

Understanding the Thyroid

The thyroid gland, located at the base of your neck, is one of the most important regulators of overall health. Often called the “metabolic engine” of the body, the thyroid produces two key hormones — thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) — that influence nearly every cell and organ.

These hormones are responsible for:

• Metabolism and energy production — how efficiently your body converts food into fuel
• Heart rate and circulation
• Brain function and mood regulation
• Reproductive health and hormone balance
• Temperature control and overall vitality

When thyroid function declines (hypothyroidism) or becomes dysregulated by the immune system (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), the entire body feels the impact. Energy levels drop, weight regulation becomes difficult, and emotional stability can suffer.

Bioidentical Thyroid Support: A Natural and Personalized Solution

Bioidentical hormones are natural compounds that are chemically identical to the hormones produced by your thyroid gland. This means your body recognizes and uses them just as it would its own, resulting in smoother hormone regulation and fewer side effects.

Dr. Stengler utilizes two main bioidentical thyroid options:

1. Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT): Derived from porcine (pig) thyroid glands, NDT naturally contains both T4 and T3 in a balanced ratio similar to what the human body produces.
2. Custom-Compounded T4/T3 Blends: For patients who need precise adjustments, Dr. Stengler partners with reputable compounding pharmacies to create personalized thyroid formulations that perfectly match their metabolic needs.

Unlike synthetic medications that provide only T4, these bioidentical therapies deliver both forms of the hormone, helping patients experience more consistent relief and energy throughout the day.

Benefits of bioidentical thyroid support include:

• Improved energy and mental clarity — less brain fog and more focus
• Better weight regulation and metabolism — easier weight management
• Enhanced mood balance — relief from anxiety, irritability, and low mood
• More stable hormone levels with fewer side effects than standard medications

Every treatment plan is closely monitored and adjusted according to both lab results and how the patient feels. This ensures steady progress and prevents the fluctuations often experienced with conventional therapy. Patients under Dr. Stengler’s care often report feeling “alive again” — with renewed energy, vitality, and focus that standard medication never provided.

The Functional Medicine Approach to Thyroid Health

Dr. Stengler’s natural thyroid support goes far beyond hormone replacement. His functional medicine framework seeks to uncover why the thyroid has become imbalanced in the first place and to correct those root causes naturally. The goal isn’t just to normalize hormone levels — it’s to restore the thyroid’s ability to function optimally within the entire body.

Here are the key areas of investigation in his functional thyroid care model:

1. Adrenal Health and Stress Response:
   Chronic stress suppresses thyroid hormone conversion and increases cortisol, leading to fatigue and sluggish metabolism. Dr. Stengler supports adrenal recovery through rest, adaptogenic herbs, and lifestyle balance.
2. Nutrient Status:
   The thyroid relies on specific nutrients such as selenium, zinc, iodine, vitamin D, and iron to produce and convert hormones efficiently. Deficiencies are identified through testing and corrected through targeted supplementation and dietary guidance.
3. Gut Health:
   A healthy gut microbiome is essential for hormone activation and immune regulation. Imbalances like leaky gut or dysbiosis can block thyroid function, so gut repair and probiotics are often part of treatment.
4. Detoxification Pathways:
   Everyday exposure to fluoride, chlorine, heavy metals, and environmental toxins can inhibit thyroid signaling. Dr. Stengler incorporates safe detoxification support to reduce these burdens.
5. Autoimmune Regulation (for Hashimoto’s):
   In autoimmune thyroid disease, Dr. Stengler works to calm inflammation, balance immune function, and heal gut integrity through anti-inflammatory nutrition, omega-3s, and botanical support.

Natural Therapies to Support Thyroid Function

At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, thyroid support goes far beyond medication. Dr. Mark Stengler takes a comprehensive and holistic approach that addresses nutrition, lifestyle, and the body’s natural healing capacity. By blending modern diagnostics with time-tested natural therapies, his goal is to restore balance, strengthen hormone function, and promote lasting wellness.

Nutritional Therapy

Every cell in your body depends on nutrients to make and activate thyroid hormones. Dr. Stengler develops personalized, anti-inflammatory meal plans that help reduce autoimmune activity and enhance thyroid performance.

• Focus on selenium-rich foods (like Brazil nuts, eggs, and wild-caught fish) that support hormone conversion.
• Inclusion of iodine and zinc-containing foods to optimize thyroid function.
• Guidance on cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and kale) in moderation — supporting detoxification without suppressing thyroid activity.
• Encouragement of omega-3 fatty acids from sources such as salmon and flaxseed to reduce inflammation.

By teaching patients to eat strategically for hormone health, Dr. Stengler empowers them to take an active role in their recovery.

Herbal and Nutrient Support

Nature offers powerful allies for thyroid balance. Dr. Stengler uses clinically validated herbs and nutrients tailored to each patient’s test results and symptoms:

• Ashwagandha – an adaptogen that supports both thyroid hormone production and adrenal resilience.
• Guggul and bladderwrack – botanicals that promote healthy thyroid metabolism and hormone synthesis.
• Selenium, zinc, tyrosine, and iodine – essential cofactors for thyroid hormone production and conversion.

Each protocol is based on lab testing and clinical evidence, ensuring precise supplementation without overcorrection.

Gut and Immune Support

A healthy gut is crucial for optimal thyroid function and immune balance. Since approximately 20% of thyroid hormone conversion occurs in the gut, intestinal health must be restored for complete healing.

• Probiotics and gut-repair nutrients like L-glutamine, aloe vera, and digestive enzymes are used to improve absorption and reduce inflammation.
• In cases of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, immune-modulating therapies help calm the body’s overactive immune response and promote tolerance.

By repairing gut integrity and rebalancing the microbiome, Dr. Stengler supports both digestion and hormone activity — the foundation of whole-body vitality.

Lifestyle and Stress Management

Stress can profoundly impact thyroid health by suppressing hormone conversion and exhausting the adrenal glands. Dr. Stengler emphasizes the importance of emotional and spiritual well-being as part of treatment:

• Incorporation of prayer, relaxation, and faith-based stress-reduction techniques to promote peace and resilience.
• Adrenal recovery support through rest, restorative sleep, and adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola and holy basil.
• Encouragement of gentle movement, time outdoors, and balanced work-rest rhythms.

This faith-informed, compassionate approach helps patients create sustainable habits that support both physical and emotional healing.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement (as needed)

When testing confirms insufficient thyroid hormone production, Dr. Stengler may prescribe bioidentical thyroid therapy. These customized formulations provide the exact hormones your body naturally produces — both T4 and T3 — for more effective and balanced support.

Options may include:

• Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) — a natural source containing both T4 and T3.
• Compounded bioidentical T4/T3 blends created in trusted pharmacies to meet each patient’s unique needs.

All therapy is carefully monitored through lab testing and patient feedback, ensuring stable hormone levels and symptom improvement without overstimulation or side effects.

This integrated care model gives patients the best of both worlds — modern hormone science combined with natural healing principles.

Reclaim Your Energy and Balance — Naturally

Your thyroid affects every cell in your body — from your metabolism and mood to your heart, digestion, and brain function. If you’re still struggling with fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, or brain fog despite standard treatment, it’s time for a more comprehensive solution.

At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, Dr. Mark Stengler’s natural thyroid support in Carlsbad combines bioidentical hormone therapy, nutritional optimization, and functional medicine to uncover the root causes of thyroid imbalance. His evidence-based, faith-guided approach helps patients achieve renewed energy, clarity, and hormonal balance — safely and naturally.

Contact the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine today:
📍 Address: 324 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024
📞 Phone: 760-274-2377 or Toll-Free 855.DOC.MARK
📧 Email: clinic@markstengler.com
🌐 Website: www.markstengler.com

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