I exercised and ate well but still developed a terrifying ‘life-sentence’ disease – let my ordeal be a warning
THREE years ago, my life changed in ways I could never have imagined.
I was 23, living what I thought was a healthy life, when seemingly out of nowhere, my body began to betray me.
I felt tired all the time, no matter how much I slept.
My mood plummeted, anxiety crept in, and I started losing hair in clumps.
My once-clear skin broke out, my nails became brittle, and I felt constantly cold.
To top it all off, I couldn’t lose weight no matter what I did, and my menstrual cycle became irregular.
It was as if my body was waving a red flag, but I couldn’t figure out what it was trying to say.
I felt so lost. I had no idea what was going on and my confidence and self-esteem was at an all-time low.
I didn’t want to go out, I felt uncomfortable in my clothes, and my face was so swollen I felt embarrassed in front of my partner; I was worried he wouldn’t love me any more.
All of a sudden, everything was off.
I turned to my GP for answers, confident they’d pinpoint the problem.
But after a blood test, I was told everything was “within range” and I was sent on my way. They weren’t taking me seriously.
After Googling my symptoms, I suspected there might be something wrong with my thyroid – a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck that produces hormones that regulate many bodily functions, from metabolism to body temperature.
But since tests showed my thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were technically normal – albeit at the lower end of the range – I was reassured that my thyroid was fine.
If only I had known then what I do now.
I didn’t realise that a single TSH test doesn’t give the full picture, and important tests for other thyroid hormones and antibodies weren’t done.
Without those, the underlying issue went unnoticed, and I continued to live with worsening symptoms.
Frustrated and desperate, I started doing my own research.
I read articles, joined support groups, and finally decided to consult with a functional medical practitioner who would take a holistic approach.
It was through their guidance that I finally discovered what was causing my issues – Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition that causes an underactive thyroid which doesn’t produce enough of the hormone thyroxine (also called T4).
‘A life sentence’
I remember feeling a mix of relief and fear – relief that I finally had an answer, and fear because I had no idea what an autoimmune disease meant for my future.
I cried. I remember just sitting there and feeling like the whole world had come crashing down.
It’s not clear what causes Hashimoto’s disease, but it runs in families. It’s also common in people with another immune system disorder, such as type 1 diabetes and vitiligo.
“Autoimmunity” sounded like a life sentence – a chronic condition that I would have to manage forever.
While treatable with daily medication, Hashimoto’s disease has numerous potential complications, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, swelling, pregnancy and fertility issues, and myxoedema coma – a life-threatening condition where hormone levels become so low they can trigger confusion, hypothermia and drowsiness.
The initial days after my diagnosis were some of the hardest. I felt overwhelmed and isolated, like my life had been upended.
Slowly but surely, I started to feel like myself again
Dominika Blonska
Traditional medical care often overlooks the functional side of thyroid health, focusing instead on prescribing medication without exploring deeper causes or management strategies.
Once I started learning about Hashimoto’s, everything began to make sense.
This autoimmune condition occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid, causing inflammation and reducing its ability to produce hormones.
It’s a slow burn – the symptoms can creep in over months or years, making it hard to spot until significant damage has been done.
With my functional practitioner’s help, I began a journey of lifestyle and dietary changes that made a world of difference.
I learned the importance of reducing stress, managing inflammation, and supporting my thyroid with proper nutrition.
I started advocating for myself, asking for comprehensive thyroid panels, and learning how to interpret the results.
Slowly but surely, I started to feel like myself again.
Things are going well now. It still isn’t easy, I am still learning, I have bad body image days, I have days where I feel like giving up, but I also have good days.
One of the most frustrating aspects of my journey was realising how many gaps exist in thyroid care.
GPs often rely solely on TSH levels, missing other critical markers.
They rarely discuss dietary changes, stress management, or supplements that could support the thyroid and immune system.
While medication has its place, it’s not the whole story.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that managing Hashimoto’s isn’t just about taking a pill.
It’s about understanding your body, advocating for comprehensive care, and making sustainable lifestyle changes.
That’s why I’m so passionate about helping other women navigate their thyroid health. No one should feel as lost and alone as I did.
What is Hashimoto's disease?
HASHIMOTO'S disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid - a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck.
It causes hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid.
This happens because the immune system makes antibodies that attack the thyroid gland, large numbers of white blood cells build up in the thyroid, and it becomes damaged and can’t make enough hormones.
These hormones control how your body uses energy, so they affect nearly every organ.
Most people experience no symptoms to begin with but go on to notice:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Always feeling cold
- Joint and muscle pain
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Thinning hair
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Slowed heart rate
Treatment usually involves daily medication, though lifestyle changes can also make a big difference.
It’s not known exactly how many people have Hashimoto’s in the UK, but it is four to 10 times more common in women than men.
You are also more likely to develop the condition if you have other autoimmune disorders such as coeliac disease, lupus, type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
If left untreated, Hashimoto’s can lead to several health problems, including high cholesterol, heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure and myxedema, when the body’s functions slow down to the point that it can threaten your life.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
If you’re struggling with symptoms that don’t add up, trust your instincts, and push for answers.
Ask for a full thyroid panel, including free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies.
Educate yourself about your condition, and don’t be afraid to seek alternative opinions if traditional care falls short.
Most importantly, know that you’re not alone.
Hashimoto’s may be a lifelong condition, but it doesn’t have to define you.
With the right knowledge and support, you can take back control of your health and live a vibrant, fulfilling life.
My journey from confusion to empowerment taught me that the first step to healing is believing in your ability to advocate for yourself.
And that’s a message I’ll keep sharing, because every woman deserves to feel strong and supported, no matter her diagnosis.
Today, aged 26, I’m proud to say that I’ve used my journey to help hundreds of women who are going through the same struggles.
I am still working on putting my condition into remission and I am trying a lot of different things to do so. But I believe I can do it.
By sharing my story and providing guidance, I’ve seen countless women regain control of their health and feel empowered to take charge of their lives.
Gigi Hadid's journey with Hashimoto's
ALMOST 10 years ago, supermodel Gigi Hadid revealed she had been diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease - a condition that affects the thyroid.
In 2016, she said: “My metabolism actually changed like crazy this year.
“I have Hashimoto’s. It’s a thyroid disease, and it’s now been two years since taking medication for it.
“So for the Victoria Secret show, I didn’t want to lose any more weight, I just want to have muscles in the right place.
“If my butt can get a little perkier, then that’s good.”
She later said Hashimoto’s had caused her weight to fluctuate over the years.
Responding to critics who labelled her “too curvy” or “too chunky”, she said: “For those of you so determined to come up with why my body has changed over the years, you may not know that when I started at 17, I was not yet diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease.
“Those of you who called me ‘too big for the industry’ were seeing inflammation and water retention due to that.”
“Over the last few years I’ve been properly medicated to help symptoms including those, as well as extreme fatigue, metabolism issues, [the] body’s ability to retain heat.
“I was also part of a holistic medical trial that helped my thyroid levels balance out.
“Although stress and excessive travel can also affect the body, I have always eaten the same, my body just handles it differently now that my health is better.
“I may be ‘too skinny’ for you. Honestly, this skinny isn’t what I want to be, but I feel healthier internally and I’m still learning and growing with my body every day, as everyone is.
“I will not further explain the way my body looks, just as anyone, with a body type that doesn’t suit your ‘beauty’ expectation, shouldn’t have to.”