Healing isn’t always a straight line. It certainly wasn’t for me. In this episode, I want to share the long rollercoaster ride I experienced going from health struggles to thriving with Hashimoto’s. Not just the diagnosis, but the full journey: the trials, the missteps, the frustration, and ultimately, the clarity. I hope that by sharing my personal health story, you’ll see that the answers are out there and that you are not alone.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into managing your Hashimoto’s, I hope you’ll find parts of your own story in mine.
The Early Clues Something Wasn’t Right (Way Before the Diagnosis)
I was a sickly kid. I had constant sore throats and colds, and I was given penicillin shots instead of liquid antibiotics(this wasn’t unusual where I grew up in Vilnius, Lithuania). My grandmother was a cardiologist, and while that gave us access to the best medications, it also meant I took a lot of antibiotics I probably didn’t need.
Even at 8 or 9 years old, I had digestive symptoms—burping, which was brushed off as “gastritis.” Looking back, the signs of dysbiosis were already there. Add to that the stress of immigrating to the U.S. at age 10, learning a new language, and experiencing emotional and social disconnection. It’s no wonder my adrenals started struggling early on.
A Youth with Layers of Toxicity and Inflammation
My diet shifted dramatically after moving to the U.S.—processed foods, fast food, and sugary snacks replaced the seasonal, fresh foods I was used to. Add in poor dental care and a mouthful of amalgam fillings, and it’s clear (now) how environmental factors began compounding.
In high school, acne led to rounds of antibiotics and Accutane. In college, I began experiencing headaches, PMS, digestive issues, fatigue, and worsening skin. I saw countless doctors and specialists. I was told I had fibromyalgia, IBS, and even ‘just stress’.
No one connected the dots.
The Danger of Trying Anything to Solve a Health Mystery
After trying a well-meaning friend’s green powder detox, things spiraled. I ended up with chronic yeast infections, worsened fatigue, and skin flares. It wasn’t until a naturopath ran a full panel of functional labs—stool tests, heavy metals, food sensitivities, hormones—that I finally got real answers:
- High mercury and copper levels
- Candida overgrowth
- Hormone imbalances
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Adrenal dysfunction
It was overwhelming but validating. Someone finally saw what I had been feeling for years.
My Healing Process: What Worked (and What Didn’t)
Healing was far from linear. I started by treating candida and copper toxicity. But I didn’t realize how much mercury, candida, and copper were intertwined. Without opening my detox pathways first, I ended up reabsorbing many of the toxins. I eventually did chelation. If you’re not familiar with it, chelation is a process where a compound is introduced (often through an IV) to bind to heavy metals in the body and help eliminate them through the urine. I did 56 sessions, and it was grueling.
I wish I had known then what I know now. Supporting detox and the nervous system first would have made all the difference.
When I Finally Addressed My Thyroid
Even after years of functional protocols, I was still exhausted. My labs showed suboptimal T4 and T3, but I resisted thyroid medication because I believed in staying “natural.”
Eventually, I reframed the thyroid hormone as essential because it is. And so, I was able to see thyroid treatment not as a drug but as a necessary hormone that my body needed. If I couldn’t create what my body needed, then the only healthy choice was to take medication to replace it.
That changed everything. My energy came back, my gut healed more effectively, and I started making real progress.
What Was Still Missing in Hashimoto’s Support (and Why I Created ThyroLove)
In my practice, I was spending hours customizing supplement protocols that included things like selenium, inositol, B vitamins, minerals, and CoQ10. I realized that there should be one formula that meets the unique needs of people with Hashimoto’s. I mean, who wants to take a pile of pills every day?
So I created ThyroLove, a bioavailable, Hashimoto’s-specific multinutrient designed to help support:
- Antibody reduction
- Thyroid hormone production and conversion
- Blood sugar regulation
- Energy, mood, and metabolism
It’s made without synthetic folic acid, iodine levels are safe for Hashimoto’s, and the design is intentional. I wanted it to feel good to take. I wanted it to feel like a gift to your body.
Eliminating Health Mysteries
It took me a long time to find all of the missing pieces of my health puzzle and regain my health. Could my story help you or someone in your life solve their thyroid mystery? And, if you or someone you love is looking for a way to thrive through their Hashimoto’s, please check out ThyroLove. If you’ve felt confused, overwhelmed, or unsupported in your Hashimoto’s journey, I created this for you. You can learn more and order at thyrolove.com.
Remember, no matter where you are in your journey, there is always something that can be done. The answers are out there, and there is hope.
Links:
Resources Mentioned:
- ThyroLove
- Follow me on Instagram @innatopiler for more tips and support
Related Podcast Episodes:
The Case of Mercury Fillings w/ Dr. Kourosh Maddahi Are Immune Supplements Safe for Hashimoto’s? Here is What You Need to Know My Most Up-to-date Immune Protocol that’s Hashimoto’s and Autoimmune Safe Happy Mouth, Healthy Thyroid: The Surprising Connection to Hashimoto’s with Dr. John AugspurgerThanks for Listening
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PLEASE NOTE
All information, content, and material on this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
Some of the links provided are affiliate links. This means we may make a very small amount of money should you choose to buy after clicking on them. This will in no way affect the price of the product but it helps us a tiny bit in covering our expenses.
