My Hypothyroidism Story – Diagnosis & Treatment

Some of you may know that, in the past, I have struggled with hypothyroidism, plus a few other health issues (mostly adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies).

I’ve also had really bad gut health issues in the past, which I’ve now solved – yay! You can read about my gut health issues and how I fixed them here.

I find that with hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue, the symptoms develop slowly and get worse and worse. It isn’t until you’re really unwell that you think there might be a problem. This is exactly what happened to me.

I probably had these issues for years, but it got to a stage where I was so sick and unhealthy, and that’s when I finally started looking into the cause of it.

Since posting about my hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue on my social media and blog, I’ve had comments from SO many women who have the same issues.

 

 

 

 

 

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And a lot of you have been asking me about my diagnosis and treatment so I wanted to share my information with you all. If you are experiencing the same issues, you will be able to seek the right help and get fixed ASAP rather than waiting a few years like me!

Here are my other blog posts if you want to have a read –

• • What I’m Struggling With At The Moment (covers everything)

• • My Struggle With Gut Health

• • How A Hormone Imbalance Can Cause Weight Gain

Also, I haven’t done a full blog post on adrenal fatigue yet, because there’s just sooo much to write!

Your adrenals and thyroid are linked (both being parts of the endocrine system), so if you have a problem with one, you most likely have a problem with the other. I will write a whole different series of blog posts on adrenal fatigue.

MY HYPOTHYROID SYMPTOMS

I had been experiencing some symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, such as weight gain/difficulty losing weight, puffy face, tiredness all the time/no energy, dry skin, depression, etc.

But I just thought that the physical changes were from getting older and the other symptoms were caused by travelling and also the past issues I’d had with gut health.

 

 

 

 

 

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These symptoms had been developing over several years. And it wasn’t until they got really bad that I decided to do some research online.

I came to the conclusion that I had a hormone imbalance due to long term use of the contraceptive pill, so I went to see a naturopath in Canada (where I was at the time).

Tests showed I had a hormone imbalance and suspected hypothyroidism. I needed more testing for the hypothyroidism, but we were leaving for Europe and then did some pretty heavy travel so I never got to get the testing done.

I went off the contraceptive pill and didn’t get my period for 6 months. Once it came, it was a bit all over the place (usually around 40-day cycles) for about another year. 18 months after coming off the contraceptive pill, my periods are now normal.

OK, back to where I was! I did more digging and after lots of research, and decided I had hypothyroidism (I’m a classic self diagnoser).

My face had become so puffy, especially around my eyes and cheeks. But also my nose had become bigger, as well as my jawline.

My whole face shape changed. I had also gained about 5kgs 2 years ago and had never been able to lose it, no matter what I did. The weight was mostly around my mid section, thighs, back of arms and face (OK, everywhere really).

TESTING FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM

By this stage, we were back in Australia so I immediately booked in to see my naturopath. She referred me to a holistic doctor who specialised in hypothyroidism. We did all the testing and my results came back fine.

I was told my TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 for levels were OK, I was just extremely deficient in iodine and had a few other deficiencies, such as zinc and vitamin D (all of which are really important for your thyroid). Your thyroid can’t actually function properly without iodine (and zinc) so my doctor suggested that I take iodine and zinc supplements, which I did.

I started taking 288 mg of liquid iodine (Bioceuticals brand) daily. After a month, I hadn’t noticed much difference. I did some research online (I’m a sucker for it!) and found a lot of stories about people with hypothyroidism and how some people were taking 12.5mg of iodine daily.

I was taking 0.288mg. Not even 1mg! I upped my dose to 1.2mg daily (not even close to 12.5mg) and after about 6 weeks, I started noticing improvements. The weight started dropping off, and I hadn’t changed my diet or exercise. I was actually doing a lot less exercise. I was happy about this, but I wanted some better advice.

I booked in to see another naturopath who specialised in hypothyroidism, and I finally got the results I was after! It turns out my Free T4 and Free T3 levels weren’t OK – they were both low. But what my other doctor didn’t test for was reverse T3.

I don’t want to get too technical, but basically, Free T4 needs to convert to Free T3 because Free T3 is the active form of the thyroid hormone. My reverse T3 was very, very high and I was told that my Free T4 was converting to Reverse T3 instead of the usable Free T3.

I finally had some answers!

I was also tested for every possible deficiency that you can imagine, and I was still low in iodine (although it had increased a fair bit since taking the supplements). I was also still very low in zinc, and a whole range of other things, such as magnesium and iron.

TREATMENT FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM 2017 – FROM NATUROPATH

The second naturopath (who did the better testing) gave me the following supplements.

ENERGY FORMULA ONE

This is basically like a multivitamin, just with more absorbable forms of each vitamin/mineral. I have been taking this long term and it seems to help. It has lots of B vitamins, zinc and selenium, which are all important.

It also has a high dosage of iodine in it. I found that liquid iodine (Bioceuticals) worked better than capsules for me. 

ZINC CITRATE

My naturopath told me that this type of zinc is more bioavailable than over-the-counter zinc supplements, and is a stronger dose. I’m currently taking 2 of these per day (60mg in total). Correction – zinc picolinate is the best form, according to my doctor.

IODINE

I tried this capsule form of iodine as well, but didn’t see much difference.

OCTOBER 2018: UPDATE

After taking this medication above, I was still struggling with hypothyroidism symptoms such as extreme fatigue, weight gain / inability to lose weight, puffiness, etc.

I came back to Australia and decided to see an Integrative Doctor rather than a naturopath. In hindsight, I should have done this much sooner.

We did more tests, and turns out I had the following:

• • Hypothyroidism caused by poor T4 to T3 conversion, and high Reverse T3

• • Iodine deficiency

• • Other deficiencies including silica, chromium and magnesium.

• • High leptin (my leptin levels are that of an extremely obese person)

TREATMENT FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM – INTEGRATIVE DOCTOR

TO TREAT HYPOTHYRIOIDISM – SLOW RELEASE T3

To fix the T4 to T3 conversion and high Reverse T3, I need to take a T3 only supplement. I had mine made at a compounding pharmacy. I am taking it for 50 days. After this, I will be tested again and then my dosage will either by changed, or I will be able to stop taking them.

I noticed a HUGE difference in fatigue within the first 2 weeks! It is honestly the best I’ve felt in a long time.

You can only get this medication from a doctor, not a naturopath, and you cannot order it online. Most regular doctors or endocrinologists will not issue this medication, so it is best to see an Integrative Doctor.

TO TREAT IODINE DEFICIENCY

I have been taking low dosage iodine for 1.5 years and am still deficient. So this time, I am again taking the high dosage iodine supplement from Lucy Rose Clinic (capsule form).

Last time though, I didn’t think it did much for me. So I am also taking Bioceuticals liquid iodine as well. I will have my levels tested again soon to make sure they are back up where they should be.

TO TREAT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

My nutrients deficiencies are magnesium, chromium and silica. I am taking supplements for all of these (still waiting for my silica supplements though).

Fibroplex Plus powder is great for magnesium. It also has a low dose of chromium in it, but I am taking another chromium supplement as well. It also has glutamine, which is great for your gut health.

TO TREAT LEPTIN RESISTANCE

This one is a little more difficult to treat, and I am mostly self-treating this one.

Treating zinc deficiency, adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism will help this reduce on its own. As well as getting good quality sleep!

I read these articles here and here from an Integrative Doctor and it provide some great information.

I am taking this supplement (Inositol), which lowers both insulin and leptin. And am also taking Alpha Lipoic Acid.

And I am also making the following dietary changes, which are recommended for leptin resistance:

• • No grains or processed sugar

• • Higher fat and lower protein and carbs

• • 3 meals and no snacks

If you want to try out this type of diet, I have a 7-day meal plan that is dairy, gluten and processed sugar-free. But you need to be consistent and patient in order to see long-lasting results.

OTHER SUPPLEMENTS

I am also taking the following:

• • Adrenotone – to help with adrenals

• • Vitamin C (natural, not ascorbic acid) – vital for adrenals as well

• • B complex vitamin

• • Iron (only during my period)

• • Vitamin D (only when I don’t get much sun)

• • NAC or “n-acetyl-cysteine,” helps to reduce mucin, which is the fluid build up experienced with hypothyroidism. This is generally around the jawline, backs of arms and mid region.

• • Chlorella, spirulina and camu camu (put in my smoothies)

• • Brazil nuts (for selenium)

ADVICE ON SUPPLEMENTS

If you buy supplements online, the best brands are:

• • Thorne Research

• • Jarrow Formula

• • NOW Foods

2024 UPDATE – 

Well I have come a LONG way in the past 6 years with my thyroid issues. I have learned so much that I don’t even know where to start haha. I have researched thyroid and hormone issues so much that I could have a degree in this!

The first important thing I need to mention is that hypothyroidism is a SYMPTOM, not a diagnosis. It is caused by something, and it is treatable. If you are having thyroid issues, then it means that there is an issue somewhere else. And the majority of the time, this issue is with your adrenal glands (and gut health). 

All of my thyroid issues were caused by adrenal fatigue (caused by severe lack of sleep, as well as major gut issues, contraceptive pill use, nutrient deficiencies, never taking any time to rest, travel and overtraining), and poor gut health (mostly leaky gut and dysbiosis).

Once I started working on my adrenal health and gut health, then my thyroid issues started to get better. 

Nutrient deficiences are also key missing piece – if you are deficient in something, your body is not able to function it’s best and this will affect your adrenal glands, your thyroid and all of your hormones. 

And if you are deficient in something, then there is also a reason for that. I have been chronically low in iron. I even had an iron infusion and afterwards blood tests showed that I was still deficient in iron. The reason I was still low was because my body couldn’t uptake the iron. And this was because I was low in copper, and other nutrients such as Vitamins A and C which your body needs to use iron. I resolved these deficiencies by taking desiccated beef liver supplements, which are naturally very high in copper and Vitamin A. 

I have also been chronically low in zinc and have been taking zinc supplements daily since 2017. Recent tests showed that I was STILL low in zinc even after all of these years of supplementation. Again my zinc levels are low because my body can’t uptake the zinc. And it can’t do this because I was low in copper. 

Finally, I have also been chronically low in magnesium. High levels of magnesium is used by your body during times of stress. With my adrenal fatigue, my magnesium would have been extremely low. Now, even with supplementation, I am still low in magnesium. Again, part of the reason is because I was low in copper, and also I still have a lot of stress which causes me to burn through a lot of magnesium.

It’s important for a naturopath or functional medicine doctor to understand the relationship between vitamins and minerals. Sometimes being low in iron isn’t actually an iron intake issue, it’s an iron uptake issue, so supplementing with iron is useless. All vitamins and minerals need to be balanced to operate properly. 

Currently, my health still isn’t perfect. I am still stressed and have some sleep deprivation issues which further stress my adrenals (thanks to mum life!) and adrenal issues are the root cause of everything else. So it still causes issues for me. My nutrient levels have improved A LOT and as a result, so have symptoms such as weight issues, puffy face, thinning hair, mood, etc. But I still have a long way to go to reach optimal health levels. 

The key is to address adrenal issues and what is causing the stress to your body, gut health and nutrient deficiencies. 

SUMMARY OF WHAT HAS HELPED ME THE MOST

Over the years I have seen countless doctors and naturopaths and unfortunately none of them were able to see the bigger picture and look at other factors that were causing my thyroid issues, or to know how other health issues were impacting me. 

Finding the right naturopath took me many years, but I finally found one who is extremely knowledgeable on everything, not just thyroid, and this has made the world of difference for me. She does the correct testing, looks at the root cause, addresses nutrient deficiencies properly, and re-tests. 

Sleep and reducing exercise are 2 critical things – your body can’t heal without these. These are both highly stressful on your body and reducing stress is absolutely critical. 

And finally, T3 medication has helped me an extreme amount! When I first started taking iodine, I noticed a huge difference too.

Just keep in mind that treating hypothyroidism and feeling better won’t happen overnight. Likely, it will be years. So don’t get disheartened if you don’t feel great right away. Keep going!

TESTING THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND DOING

If you do suspect that you have hypothyroidism, please see a specialist and make sure you get tested for ALL of the following (make sure they don’t miss anything out!):

• • TSH

• • Free T3

• • Free T4

• • Reverse T3

• • Thyroid antibiodies

• • Iodine

• • All nutrients (but especially zinc, magnesium, iron and selenium)

• • It could also be worthwhile to get your salivary cortisol tests done to see if you have issues with your adrenals (saliva test taken at 3-4 intervals throughout the day).

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Reducing the amount of stress in your life and increasing your sleep are both critical.

I reduced the amount of travel I was doing, as this severely affected my sleep and put a lot of stress on my body.

And I have been sleeping as MUCH as I can—roughly 10 hours per night. I do absolutely everything I can to make sure I can get a good night’s sleep.

Sleep is the most important thing for helping with adrenal fatigue, so it is extremely important. Don’t skip your sleep!

I also cut back on exercise. It was really hard to do at first, especially when I was gaining weight. I just wanted to exercise more and more.

But what your body needs to recover is rest, sleep, the right supplements, and just for you to slow down. All I have been doing is walking and a few circuits (all light circuits – no HIIT or weights). And a little bit of yoga. It has helped a lot!

If you want to change your lifestyle in order to help your body recover faster, I have designed a complete workout plan that combines cardio and lighter resistance training, and each workout is only 15 minutes long.

And I’ve designed an 8-week meal plan that will help you eat healthy and cut down on processed sugar. You can find my nutrition plan here.

Changing your lifestyle will probably help a lot but I would also advise you to find a good integrative doctor :)

Good luck! I wish you all the best xx