For most of my life, I had symptoms of hypothyroidism, but didn’t know it. I was cold all the time, gained weight easily, struggled with energy, had brain fog, and couldn’t lose weight no matter what diet I tried. Doctors ran thyroid tests and told me I was fine. But I didn’t feel fine.
I also tried every type and dose of thyroid medication (T4, T3, NDT, even compounded formulas), but none of them gave me steady results. I kept adjusting the doses, hoping the next adjustment would work. It never did. I spent years chasing solutions so that I could feel normal.
My First Clue: Weight That Wouldn’t Budge
I started struggling with weight when I was a kid. At 11, I was put on a strict diet and told to count every calorie. I followed the plan exactly—measured food, tiny portions—and still didn’t lose weight. Adults assumed I was sneaking food. I wasn’t.
I didn’t understand it at the time, but my metabolism was already running slow. I could gain weight even on a low calorie diet. Meanwhile, my friends were eating pizza and soda and staying thin. I was eating cottage cheese and still gaining.
Exercise Made Me Feel Worse
When I told doctors I couldn’t lose weight, the answer was always “exercise more.” So I did. But instead of feeling better, I felt worse. I’d work out and then crash for days—tired, achy, and sometimes sick.
Later I learned my adrenals were involved too. When cortisol is off, exercise can actually drain your energy instead of helping. That explained a lot.
I Was Tired All the Time
It wasn’t regular tired—it was hard to wake up, hard to focus, hard to get through the day. And when I finally did sleep, I’d still wake up exhausted.
My sleep-wake cycle was flipped. Cortisol was low in the morning and high at night, so I couldn’t fall asleep easily. I relied on sleep aids just to get some rest.
Everyday tasks like grocery shopping or doing the dishes felt overwhelming.
Always Cold, Puffy, and Sick
My hands and feet were cold year-round—even in the summer. My face was puffy. I had chronic sinus infections, asthma, low blood pressure, and high cholesterol. At the time, I didn’t realize how many of these symptoms were related to low thyroid.
No One Looked at the Full Picture
After I had a baby, I developed a goiter. Still, doctors insisted my labs were normal and said I wasn’t hypothyroid. One even suggested removing my thyroid.
By that point, I’d already started doing research and came across the Stop the Thyroid Madness site. I saw story after story that sounded just like mine—people with symptoms, normal labs, and no answers.
When I brought that information to an endocrinologist, she dismissed it and said, “You’re not hypothyroid. You’re just looking for a quick fix to lose weight.”
That was devastating. But it didn’t stop me from looking for answers.
I Finally Found a Doctor Who Was Willing to Help
Eventually, I found a doctor who didn’t brush me off. He didn’t have all the answers, but he was open-minded. He listened, asked good questions, and actually took my body temperature. It was 95.5°F, in the middle of July.
That was the first time anyone noticed or acknowledged that my low body temperature wasn’t normal. It finally explained why I was always cold and tired.
He ran a full thyroid panel, but the real turning point was that he looked at my symptoms not just the numbers.
What Helped Me Turn Things Around
The biggest change came when I stopped relying on thyroid labs and started tracking how I actually felt. I started taking my temperature daily and paying attention to patterns. I began supporting my thyroid and adrenals with minerals.
That’s when my body finally started working again. My energy came back. I could sleep without pills. My weight became easier to manage. My body temperature came up, and I finally felt warm again.
Everyday tasks didn’t feel overwhelming anymore.
Why I Share This
I created the HypoHero™ Thyroid Protocol because I know how frustrating it is to feel like something is wrong and not have anyone take you seriously. This protocol is based on everything I wish I’d known sooner, especially the importance of tracking symptoms and temperature, not just chasing lab results or medication adjustments.
If you’re still struggling, I hope this helps you feel less alone.
You’re not lazy or imagining it, and you’re not stuck. You just might need a different approach, one that considers the full picture and supports your body in the right way.
24 comments
Join the conversationShanae' D. Scott - July 8, 2014
Great story or encouragement!!
What was the path that you followed after seeing the Dr?
Like what was the treatment plan for your situation? How did you get back to “normal”???
Bernadette Andrada - July 20, 2014
Hello Lizzy. Thank you for sharing your story. Did you start with HC? If you did, how long? After HC, were you then introduced to the thyroid meds (t3, t4)?? How soon did you feel the diffrence?? I started on HC but had to discontinue so I now use progesterone cream for my body to convert it to cortisol. After a month of using this, he started me on bioidentical t3 and t4 but it made me feel tired, depressed and achy. He told me to stop it for a week and continue taking it again every other day. Im afraid to try it again …
Sigrid Tanner Sailers - October 31, 2014
Reading your “before” story, could be my story!…being completely tired, energy-less, not being able to lose weight, or exercise like normal people, etc. I’m teary eyed because for the last 3 years, I’ve been tested for everything, was told I’m “normal” and yet, I KNEW something wasn’t right. Recently, I went to a nutritionist who ran a different panel of blood work and said my thyroid and adrenals are out of wack. YAY!!! Someone with an answer! I got the supplements yesterday and am excited to get back to a healthy way of life. My husband will be so happy that I can cook dinner AND do the dishes. 🙂 Oh, and fit back into my skinny jeans.
Thank you for your story!!! You understand the way I feel and you’ve given me hope!
Kate Weaver - December 16, 2014
Hi
am wondering if you can help.. my aunt just emailed me saying she has myxedema.. her TSH level is 135 and according to the doctors, a woman of her age level should be 0.4.. they say she should actually be dead.. do you know how I can help her????l.. she has been misdiagnosed 5 years beforehand and they just thought she was depressed… sigh..please help..she is 60 ad has gaied much much weight, and a host of other conditions too..
kate
Darlena Dee Inlavongsa - January 4, 2015
HI! i’m glad you’ve found a way to shed those pounds and feel more energized. about a year ago i’ve gained weight since having a total thyroidectomy. with exercise, what is your diet? do you avoid certain foods?
Ramj Raju - March 11, 2015
hi mam,
im frm india i wan to buy lugol 5%soln hw much for shipping cost(i think amazon.com shippin cost is high) n delivery time? nd pls tell abt DIRECTION TO USE(internally n externally),tanq
Michelle Lovisa Hopkins - April 23, 2015
Hi miss Lizzy, your story sounds exactly like me, thankyou for sharing. I haven’t been so lucky to find a dr that takes notice or even comprehends what I am saying, they all just treat the symptoms and not the cause but I’m not giving up there must be a dr out there for me.
Thanks again you have given me more hope.
Kind regards Michelle
Brook Jones - May 23, 2015
Hi, this was a great read! I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 5 months ago. Since then I’m on Levothyroxine, which has I suppose “leveled out my thyroid” I’m not really sure all of the ins and outs of the disease as in what my medication has “leveled out.” With that being said, I went from 160lbs – 220lbs in 1.5 yrs, I’m 21 yrs old. When I was diagnosed I was 195lbs and everyone told me that being on the meds would help me lose weight, seeing as it’s always been SOOOOO hard for me to lose weight, but Ive gained 25 lbs. I still have VERY bad anxiety and mild depression, so the doc put me on a different prescription for that. Just don’t know if I should still feel like this and not be able to lose weight very well. I’ve started kicking butt in the gym and have lost 7 lbs so far, but I still feel like it should come easier. My doctor just tells me that maybe I’m not working out as hard as I think I am or my diet isn’t as clean as I think, or my favorite “maybe this is just your normal.” So I guess what I’m getting at is, do you think this is my “normal”, what should I do. Just accept it and be on depression/anxiety pills for the rest of my life? What would you do?? Please help! Thanks!
Cindy Chan - June 2, 2015
thanks for being upfront to share your story. im currently diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis as the “added” bonus. finally my GP decided to start me on levothyroxine but there are times im very tired and my skin becomes dry and all. hopefully the next follow up and adjustment of the pills will make me feel better!
Mary Klemenok - June 17, 2015
Hi Lizzy… I have hit my lowest point and am extremely frustrated, discouraged, and now becoming extremely unmotivated because I am getting nowhere. I run marathons and the past year, my health has declined little by little and I have yet (after MANY doctors and tests) been able to have a clear diagnosis, but am always just treated for my symptoms. I am now at my last straw trying to goto a naturopathic doctor to hopefully put an end to all of this that is draining me more and more every day. However, your story is much like mine and not many people are out there that I could ask questions or just talk to about this all. Is there anyway you could message me on Facebook or email me so I could possibly call you? I can’t keep going like this. Email is mklemenok17@yahoo.com and # is 254-230-2017
Hope to hear from you soon.
Kadambari Venkatraman - June 19, 2015
Hi miss Lizzy,
I got my 24 hour salivary cortisol and tested very low on 5th June this year. I am on around 27.5 mg HC per day. I felt better immediately. But when I raised my NDT from 2 grains to 2.5 a week later, I experienced palpitations. I’m also going through a bad phase – divorce, that is. What do I do?
p.S.
I think the HC is increasing my appetite. Do you think it will cause heavy weight gain?
Catherine Perry - July 15, 2015
I was directed here from another website and reading this is like reading about me now. I don’t recognise the person that I am now. My major symptom is fatigue, which I first noticed had got bad around summer 2013 after a period of extremely high stress, although I have others that are just as detrimental, e.g. total loss of libido. Two years later and the fatigue has gone beyond being debilitating. My issue is complicated by being unable to find a doctor in my area for the last 5 years!!! Having read your post, I think I’m going to go down a similar route and see a naturopath or a functional medicine doctor if there is one. I don’t know if my thyroid is the issue but there are so many symptoms that fit that it’s a good enough starting point.
Stephanie Pedro Yinger - July 28, 2015
Please please help me. I am desperate. I have your same story. I have been dealing with this for 20 years. My symptoms got worse after each child that I had. My labs are always normal. I have 250 of 300 hypothyroid symptoms along with adrenal symptoms such as a Dowagers hump (buffalo hump). I have lost 1/3 of the hair on my head etc. I could go on and on. I have spent a fortune over the years going to different doctors and trying everything. I can no longer justify spending the money out of pocket when I pay so much for insurance. I am currently going to Duke Integrative Medicine and I just don’t feel like I am getting anywhere. I have to tell my doctor which labs to order. He doesn’t even know what to do with me but at least it is covered by insurance. In the meantime I am ruining my family’s life too. Please someone help. I keep hearing everyone telling me to not give up. I am a registered nurse. My brain fog is so terrible that I am almost to the point that I should not be doing my job. I cannot focus or remember anything.
Becky Burton - October 17, 2015
Hi,
I like the last poster, feel desperate. Been dealing with these symptoms way too long, 20 years. I’ve tried doctors, so called functional doctors that want 3,000 to even begin.
I have most symptoms on the list. I am wondering if you treated the Candida symptoms or did they just resolve? Seems like grains, dairy and sugar all effect my symptoms levels.
I tried Armor before but experienced tightening in my heart.Just started an Adrenal supplement.
20 years Anemia, now getting iron infusion every three month really sucks. Always told Thyroid is normal….
Thanks
Hosai Yonoszai - October 24, 2015
Hi Lizzy,
Please share your story of how you solved your hypothyroid. I have searched your site high and low and can’t find your actually story of what you did to cure or “fix” your hypothyroid symptoms. I have done and read all the same research that you have posted links to here regarding symptoms, iodine, bromine, fluoride, diet, and so on. What I would like to know is what combination of these things started you down the right path? I have Lugol’s iodine and have used it but maybe I wasn’t using the right amount or maybe my diet was off while using lugol’s. I don’t know what it is, but it would help all of us if you could share you entire story not just what was initially wrong as we already know how it feels. And if you already have shared your full story please forgive my crazy mind and if you can just post the link for me. Maybe I totally missed it.
Corrin Perry - March 3, 2016
Lizzy, you shared your story with us, however you’re neglecting to share your treatments with us. We are all obviously having much difficulty with our hypothyroidism. Can you be kind enough to share your how your doctor treated you and got you better??
Arlise Fletcher - April 18, 2016
Hi.
Thank you so much for sharing your success story. I’d also like to congratulate you on your success!
However, can you share how you were able to reach your wellness goals? More specifically, what does your treatment plan consist of? Many of us are experiencing the same issues and would love some advice and guidance. I look forward to your response.
Cordially,
Arlise
arlisefletcher@gmail.com
Amber Jordan - July 23, 2016
I cried reading your story. Not out of sadness, but out of joy. I finally got a doctor to take my family history and symptoms seriously yesterday. We started blood testing this morning and I will have my thyroid ultrasound on Monday. I can’t believe the amount of doctors who dismissed every thing i said as me being a hypochondriac or just fat/lazy. My doctor now is amazing and had actually listened to me (i totally cried in her office out of relief… i cry a lot apparently) she even felt my neck (no one else even checked before) and the first words out of her mouth were, “Wow! Your thyroid is huge!”. She believes I have Hashi’s and just wants blood work to follow up. Thank you for sharing your story. Seriously, you have given me so much hope for the future and not feeling trapped in my own body. Just.. thank you.
Janice Shirley - August 27, 2016
And finding a doctor that listens instead of blocking out a patient’s knowledge is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I have gotten shut down and shut out by 6 doctors in the attempt to find one that knew what they are doing.
Karla Valadez - September 22, 2016
It is amazing to see your story. I currently am struggling to get all of my symptoms and side effects under control! Since I was diagnosed I gained 30 pounds and I have not been able to loose any weight in the last 7 years. How did you get your exercise routine going? I struggle to get out of bed and go to class???
Milk Ti - October 6, 2016
Hi Ms Lizzy,
Your personal experiences and frustration of hypothyroidism are what I have been going through for last 12 years.
Lately as I turn 50 years old my weight gain 15kg and having depression with fatigue “crashing” all the time that deteriorating my health
Nothing seems to help with doctor’s prescriptions.
Kindly share your cure helping others suffers
Thank you in advance
Michele Clowe - October 6, 2016
I’m in tears as I read your story because I feel as though it’s my story! I’m 29 currently (30 years old in just over a week) and I’m currently battling all those symptoms. I just recently saw a new OBGYN and she is finally listening to me, my struggles, my worries and it feels awesome! I can only hope that she will finally be the Dr who is willing to help me like the one you found! I can’t wait to read more here on your blog and get all the answers I’ve been longing for!
Thanks for sharing your story!
Cailyn Sonderup - November 21, 2016
Hello -thank you so much for sharing your story. It so encouraging. I have struggled with this ‘invisible illness’ for so long- four years almost, suffering all the aforementioned symptoms along with health care costs and invalidating responses from doctors. Luckily I fell into the hands of a good (empathic) endocrinologist who explained and tested for adrenal fatigue. A long journey lies ahead but after readings this, a hopeful one!
Becky Fox - December 29, 2016
Thanks Lizzy, I loved this bit the best “Finally, I have energy to care about girly things like doing my hair and makeup, wearing high heels and doing my nails (and oh how I love being girly!!)”
I think its having the energy to enjoy those simple pleasures in life that are the biggest turn around for me, I didnt even realise I stopped doing them 🙂
Im in the middle of getting the right dosage and all the blood work back but slowly getting there with a good doctor 🙂 Thanks for sharing it means alot!!
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