To say I’ve done more health research in the past 2.5 years than ever before would be the understatement of the century (okay… slight hyperbole). It’s something I never expected to become fluent in — yet here we are.
For the first 39.5 years of my life, I was fortunate enough to coast. Health wasn’t something I thought much about. My body worked, I felt strong, and I moved through life without needing to advocate for myself medically.
The first time that changed was at 32, when I was trying to get pregnant with Harper. After years on birth control, I was struggling with amenorrhea. That was my first real introduction to digging deeper and combining Western medicine with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Eventually, I was diagnosed with PCOS — something that was never explored when I complained about irregular, heavy periods as a teenager. I eliminated gluten and dairy to help manage symptoms, and after Harper was born, things seemed to settle hormonally.
In 2020, I worked with Parsley Health and learned I was borderline Hashimoto’s. At the time, I was told it was something to monitor, not treat. So once again, I coasted.
Until 2023 hit me like a ton of bricks.
It started with breast changes — strange pain and sensations I’d never experienced before. That was my first true spiral into googling every. single. symptom. That’s also when I first came across the term perimenopause — before it had really entered mainstream conversation.
When I brought my concerns to my doctor, I was immediately met with, “You’re too young for perimenopause.” When I asked about my borderline Hashimoto’s diagnosis, she responded, “I never would have diagnosed you with that.”
At that point, I hadn’t yet found my voice in medical settings. So I scheduled the diagnostic mammogram she recommended and waited. That led to a biopsy, which thankfully came back negative.
But that wasn’t the end.
Two months later, my body shifted again. I was rapidly gaining weight without changing anything. I was freezing constantly — heat blasting, fireplace on, layered in sweaters and blankets. My strength was disappearing. I was irritable, puffy, exhausted to the point that evenings felt like walking through mud.
My annual labs came back chaotic. The one that shook me most? Cholesterol through the roof. I had always had “perfect” numbers.
My TSH was 88. (Normal is under 4.5.). TPO antibodies (888).
Hashimoto’s had fully emerged and triggered severe hypothyroidism.
When my doctor told me I would be on medication for life, something in me hesitated. Not because I’m anti-medication — I’m absolutely not — but because I felt like there was no curiosity, no exploration, no partnership. Just a prescription pad.
So I returned to what had helped me before: a combined approach. I started on the lowest dose of medication and reintroduced acupuncture. Over six months, my numbers improved significantly without needing to increase my dosage.
For a moment, I thought I had steadied the ship.
Then November 2024 arrived.
The symptoms creeping back felt eerily familiar — similar to when I went off birth control years earlier. Belly weight gain. Chin acne. Hair loss. Digestive issues. Getting sick constantly. Intense anxiety — including my first panic attack.
I remember thinking, What is happening to my body?
Today, I’m working with a functional medicine doctor who combines Western and alternative approaches. The biggest difference? She listens. She trusts my experience.
I’ve started MHT, which has been incredibly helpful. We’ve adjusted dosages thoughtfully. We’re addressing long-standing gut issues that were likely never resolved. I’m on targeted supplements specific to my labs and symptoms. It’s not perfect. Health isn’t linear. But I feel heard — and that changes everything.
All of this to say: I cannot be the only one navigating this.
If sharing what I’ve learned helps even one woman feel less alone or advocate more confidently for herself, it’s worth it.
Here are the lessons this journey has carved into me:
1. TRUST YOUR GUT
If something feels off, it probably is. You live in your body 24/7. You know its baseline. You know its nuances. Don’t let someone dismiss your concerns as “just stress” or “just aging.” And if they won’t listen, find someone who will.
2. DON’T BE AFRAID TO FIRE YOUR DOCTOR
There are incredible doctors out there. I’ve worked with some. But sometimes a provider is right for one season of life and not the next. My OB/GYN was wonderful during pregnancy. Post-babies? Completely different experience. Texting mid-appointment. Dismissive energy. I never went back.
You are allowed to interview doctors. You are allowed to leave. You are allowed to seek partnership.
3. BE PREPARED
Track your symptoms. Write down your questions. Appointments are short. Preparation gives you clarity and confidence.
4. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT
If you want a test, ask for it. If you believe your dosage needs adjusting, say so. When I recently requested an ultrasound to rule out abdominal concerns, it was scheduled. When I felt my MHT dose needed tweaking, we discussed it. Specificity matters.
5. DO YOUR RESEARCH (WITH BOUNDARIES)
Research empowers — but it can also fuel anxiety. I’ve experienced both. Knowing terminology and options allows for better conversations. But I’ve also learned to step away when information becomes overwhelming (well… maybe… the verdict is still out on this one, haha).
6. NO TWO JOURNEYS ARE IDENTICAL
There is so much information — and unfortunately, a lot of profit — in the wellness space. As a creator, I’m regularly approached to promote supplements or “cures.” I decline. What works for me may not work for you. A supplement that helps my symptoms might do nothing for someone else. A specific MHT dose that balances me might be too much or too little for you.
Social media can be helpful, but it is not a substitute for personalized care. I’ve found voices like Dr. Marie Haver and Dr. Jolene Brighten helpful for education — but I always bring what I learn back to my doctor for discussion on how it could apply to me.
The Real Takeaway
When I reflect on this journey, the biggest shift hasn’t been a diagnosis, a supplement, or a prescription (although that has all been so incredibly beneficial).
It’s been reclaiming ownership.
For most of my life, I outsourced my health. I assumed if something was serious, someone would catch it. I assumed if labs were “close enough,” that was fine. I assumed my symptoms were probably nothing.
I don’t assume anymore. No one cares about my health as much as I do.
I ask questions. I push gently when something doesn’t sit right. I seek partnership instead of permission. I understand my labs. I track my patterns. I speak up.
I’m a full participant in my care.
Our bodies change. Especially in our 40s. Hormones shift. Autoimmune conditions flare. Things surface that were dormant. That doesn’t mean we’re broken. It means we’re evolving.
If you’re in the thick of it — confused, dismissed, exhausted, or scared — I see you. You are not dramatic. You are not “too young.” You are not imagining it.
Your symptoms are data.
Your intuition is information.
Your voice is powerful.
And taking back control of your health doesn’t mean having all the answers.
It simply means deciding you deserve them.