My Journey with Hypothyroidism

My Journey with Hypothyroidism

Miss Lizzy founded the HypoHero Thyroid Protocol, a proven strategy to restore energy, focus, and metabolism for those struggling with hypothyroidism. After battling undiagnosed hypothyroidism and low body temperature for 35 years, Miss Lizzy developed a transformative 3-phase protocol that has helped thousands reclaim their health and vitality. Her mission is to empower others with the tools, supplements, and support they need to thrive.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

  • Miss Lizzy’s personal journey with undiagnosed hypothyroidism and medical gaslighting.
  • Common symptoms of thyroid dysfunction that often get dismissed.
  • Why TSH testing alone fails so many patients.
  • The importance of tracking body temperature to understand thyroid function.
  • How low body temperature affects metabolism, energy, and weight loss.
  • The role of halogens (bromide, chlorine, fluoride) in blocking thyroid function.
  • Why iodine is misunderstood and how to use it safely, especially with Hashimoto’s.
  • A breakdown of the Hypohero Protocol: Restore, Detox, Optimize.
  • Supporting adrenal health as part of thyroid recovery.
  • How Miss Lizzy’s tracker empowers patients to advocate for their health.
  • A powerful success story from the Hypohero community.
Miss LizzyMy Journey with Hypothyroidism
What Do Patients Look Like Before and After Hypothyroidism Treatment?

What Do Patients Look Like Before and After Hypothyroidism Treatment?

Ever wondered what hypothyroidism really looks like on the outside, and how much it can improve with the right treatment?

These historic photos tell a powerful story. They show the profound changes in appearance that occur when hypothyroidism is properly treated, something many people never get to see.

Let’s take a closer look at these before-and-after images, so you can learn to spot the classic signs of hypothyroidism, and more importantly, what recovery may look like.

Common Signs of Hypothyroidism in These Photos

In the before images, you’ll notice classic hypothyroid features:

  • Puffy face and eyes
  • Swollen neck area
  • Dull complexion
  • Hooded eyelids
  • Thinning, dry, and brittle hair
  • Under-eye bags
  • Dull, unfocused eyes (often described as “brain fog”)
  • Thinning outer eyebrows

These visual signs reflect what’s happening beneath the surface: a slowed-down metabolism, poor circulation, and fluid retention from an underactive thyroid.


Case Studies: Hypothyroidism Before and After Treatment

14-Year-Old Girl: Puffy Eyes, Dry Hair, and Saddle Nose

Before and After Hypothyroidism Treatment with NDT - Miss Lizzy Hypothyroid Advocate

In the before photo, this 14-year-old girl shows:

  • Puffiness around her eyes
  • Thickened lips
  • Depressed nasal bridge (saddle nose)
  • Dry, coarse, straight hair

Just six months later, her improvements are remarkable:

  • Nose bridge appears more elevated
  • Eyes are brighter and more alert
  • Lips have normalized
  • Hair is shinier and curly

Adult Woman: Puffy Face, Dull Skin, and Under-Eye Bags, Before and After Treatment

Before and After Hypothyroidism Treatment with NDT - Miss Lizzy Hypothyroid Advocate

In the before photo, she shows classic hypothyroid features:

  • Puffiness around the neck and face
  • Dull complexion
  • Dry, lifeless hair
  • Under-eye bags

After treatment:

  • Swelling and puffiness have diminished
  • Hair looks shiny and healthy
  • Skin appears more vibrant, glowing, and youthful

Adult Male: Swollen Neck, Brain Fog, and Dry Hair, Before and After Treatment

This man had the “obese” form of hypothyroidism, showing:

  • Swollen neck and face
  • Hooded, heavy eyelids
  • Dull, foggy eyes
  • Dry, thinning hair

After treatment:

  • Neck and face swelling reduced dramatically
  • Hair is fuller, thicker, and healthier
  • Skin looks firmer, younger, and more vibrant

Another Adult Male: Myxedema (Severe Puffiness) Before and After

This man shows the classic puffiness of advanced hypothyroidism (myxedema), including:

  • Swelling around the neck, jowls, and face
  • Puffy cheeks
  • Dull skin
  • Thinning hair

After treatment, the transformation is clear:

  • Dramatic reduction in swelling
  • Thicker, healthier hair
  • Skin appears more youthful, especially around the eyes and forehead

The Takeaway: Your Thyroid Affects Everything

These photos are a powerful reminder that hypothyroidism isn’t just about feeling tired or cold, it can literally change how you look. The puffy face, dull eyes, thinning hair, and brain fog are outward signs of a thyroid that’s struggling to keep up.

But here’s the good news: With the right support, your thyroid can start to heal and those symptoms may improve.


Ready for Your Own Thyroid Transformation?

If you’re struggling with low energy, brain fog, slow metabolism, or puffiness in your face and body, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to stay stuck.

The HypoHero™ Thyroid Protocol is a proven 3-part method that helps you:
Track your temperature and symptoms to uncover hidden thyroid patterns
Fuel your thyroid with the right minerals, hydration, and gentle detox
Optimize with step-by-step adjustments based on your thyroid history

This isn’t just another thyroid program. It’s a complete strategy to help you regain your energy, metabolism, and confidence. Thousands of women (and men!) have used this method to experience more energy, sharper focus, and improved metabolism without relying on medication alone.

Ready to see your own before-and-after transformation?
👉 Learn More About the HypoHero Thyroid Protocol and take the first step today!

Miss LizzyWhat Do Patients Look Like Before and After Hypothyroidism Treatment?
Boost Thyroid Medicine in Winter

Boost Thyroid Medicine in Winter

Here is my new video about Hypothyroidism and the winter blues on Youtube!

REPOST FROM FEB 2011

Here it is March 2014 and I am thinking “Wow, I’ve been feeling kind of blue lately.” It’s the yearly seasonal thyroid drop, which always happens around early March and goes until May. Late winter through early spring can be hard for those of us with hypothyroidism. Even when we are on good thyroid medicine! It reminded me of my blog post from last year on this exact topic. Sheesh, even I have a hard time seeing my own symptoms!

PL0000003849_card_lgThis time of year is always tough for me. The days are getting longer, there is more light and I feel like I should be feeling great. But sure enough, I feel the low-grade depression sneaking up on me again. It usually sets in just before the forsythia bloom (so early March here in New England). When I finally got treatment for hypothyroidism I learned this depression is actually low thyroid!

Apparently thyroid function drops in the late winter/early spring months which creates a low-grade depression for many of us. It feels like SAD (seasonal affective disorder), general depression, or just a heaviness. I know it’s not SAD because I still have it even when I get plenty of sunlight. And I know it’s not traditional depression because it lasts only a few months, and it’s always around this time of year.

So this is a reminder… to help get through the winter blues many of us need to increase our thyroid medicine about 1/4 pill just for a few months. (I might add, who wants to take anti-depressants and gain weight?!) For me the depression starts around now and sometimes lasts through May. When I start to feel light and buoyant again I know I can ease back to my normal dose of thyroid medicine.

 

 

Miss LizzyBoost Thyroid Medicine in Winter
Exercise and Hypothyroidism

Exercise and Hypothyroidism

Determined? Absolutely. This is me at Crossfit where we climb ropes, run, row, lift heavy barbells. A one mile run is often just the warm up. Ten years ago, a one mile run would have landed me in bed for days. Imagine the difference in my life!

Yesterday I reached an exciting milestone. After a year at CrossFit, something I never would have imagined possible before hypothyroid and adrenal treatment, I did my very first unassisted pull-up. Hanging from the bar, full dead-weight, unassisted pull-up. It was so exciting. The most important part is what went through my head:

I WANT IT!!

These words are the single most powerful phrase in my life. Until that moment, I only kind-of wanted the pull-up. I hadn’t actually told my mind that I really wanted it. Saying these words propelled me up, giving me a deep source of power I didn’t realize was inside. Accessing this power feels incredible.

That’s what the thyroid journey has taught me. How to stay determined, persevere through the hardest of times with effort and intention. During the early days of treatment, when I had lower energy I was kind to myself. On the days when I had more energy I would tackle anything I could to help improve my health. Step by step I found my way to health and vitality.

Now I have mostly great days with endurance and energy. However, I would never try this kind of exercise until I had fully healed my thyroid and adrenal issues. First, heal the body. Be patient.

I hope my journey inspires you to keep your spirits high, celebrate every milestone especially the small ones like this, and stay determined.

 

Miss LizzyExercise and Hypothyroidism