My Hypothyroidism Journey: From Medication to Metabolic Healing
Part 1
I never expected a routine checkup to change the course of my health journey. I went in for a simple wellness visit—just making sure everything was fine. But when the results came back, the doctor told me something I wasn’t prepared for: I had markers for Hashimoto’s disease and signs of hypothyroidism. I felt confused, scared, and overwhelmed. In my uncertainty, I began asking questions—what did this mean? How serious was it? What were the next steps? But instead of clarity, I was met with dismissal. The doctor brushed off my questions, telling me he wasn’t a specialist and that I would need to go see one. When I went to schedule the appointment, I was told it would take six to eight months to get in. In that moment, I felt isolated, alone, and unsure of where to turn next. It was like being handed a diagnosis without a roadmap—and no one standing beside me to help figure it out.
They quickly prescribed thyroid medication, something I thought would be a simple fix. But I found more comfort in speaking with other women—many of whom had walked a very similar path. They were the ones who truly helped me understand what was happening to my body and what the medication could actually do. These conversations gave me clarity that I never received from my doctor. I learned that the medication wasn’t a cure; it was a temporary patch, a way to suppress symptoms rather than actually heal the underlying issue. More alarmingly, I found that many women experienced side effects like depression, mood swings, and even suicidal thoughts while on it. And for some, long-term use had been linked to even more serious health risks—including cancer and metabolic damage. It was heartbreaking to hear how many women had been led down a road that, for them, made things worse—not better.
What struck me even more was how common this condition is—how many women are silently suffering with hypothyroidism and don’t even know it. I was stepping into a world of shared struggles, misdiagnoses, and frustration. It was both overwhelming and strangely comforting to know I wasn’t alone. One of the women I spoke with introduced me to a book called Medical Medium Thyroid Healing by Anthony William. In it, he challenges the conventional view of thyroid disease and explains that the thyroid itself is not the root problem—it’s a symptom of something much deeper. According to William, most thyroid conditions, including Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism, are caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which attacks the immune system and settles into the liver, nervous system, and ultimately the thyroid. The body’s immune response to this virus is what creates the inflammation and symptoms doctors often mislabel as purely a “thyroid issue.” He argues that medicine is 30 years behind in recognizing this, and that true healing involves addressing the viral root—not just masking symptoms with medication. Reading this book was eye-opening and empowering. It completely reframed my understanding of what was happening in my body. For the first time, I felt like I had real answers, not just a prescription and a list of side effects. It gave me hope that healing was not only possible—it was within reach.
After a lot of research and deep personal reflection, I wish I could say I made a graceful, informed decision to stop the medication. But the truth is, I was taking the thyroid hormone medication for weeks and I became depressed, anxious, and suicidal in my thoughts. I’ve always been someone who turned to nature and the gym to clear my head and deal with life’s stress. But suddenly, even that wasn’t helping. I found myself leaving workouts in tears, crying hysterically in the car, not knowing why I was so upset or emotionally unhinged. The way this medication reshaped my mind, my emotions, and the way I felt in my own body scared the living shit out of me. I had never in my life experienced suicidal thoughts—until then.
That’s when I made my decision: I stopped taking the medication. I kept reading Medical Medium Thyroid Healing, which was the only thing that felt like it truly made sense. And then something completely unplanned happened—I went to my chiropractor for a routine adjustment, and while sitting in the waiting room, I happened to glance over and see a certificate on the wall. It was a certification in thyroid health and functional medicine. It felt like the universe nudging me in a new direction.
That moment was the start of my journey into functional health. I began changing my diet, slowly unlearning everything I thought I knew about food and wellness. I started to see food not just as fuel or flavor, but as medicine—something that could either support or sabotage my healing. Since that shift, the positive effects on my body, my mind, and my energy have been undeniable. I finally feel like I’m moving toward real healing—not symptom control, not band-aids, but something deeper. And for the first time since my diagnosis, I feel hope.
This is just the beginning of my journey. I’m not here to tell anyone what choice they should make for their own body—but I do want to encourage you to ask questions, do your research, and most of all, listen to yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to pause and explore other options. Advocate for yourself when it comes to traditional medicine.
If you’re struggling with thyroid issues or have walked this path before, I’d love to hear your story. Let’s keep the conversation going—because healing shouldn’t be something we do alone.
Look out for Part 2. I will discuss in more details the metabolic cleanse and dietary changes that took place during my journey with functional health and my relationship with food.
