How to Navigate Your Hashimoto’s Diagnosis: What I’d Do If I Was Diagnosed Today
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Getting a Hashimoto’s diagnosis can feel like stepping into an entirely new world filled with confusing advice, uncertainty, and the constant thought of “where do I start when I barely have the energy to even complete my day to day tasks”. Trust me, I’ve been there. I suffered from weight gain, hair thinning, dry skin, cold intolerance, you name it. When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at age 15 it started to make sense…until it didn’t.
I was prescribed thyroid medication (Synthroid) and sent on my way, hoping and thinking I would start to feel better from there.
Well, years go by and I never truly find relief from ongoing fatigue, skin issues, and uncomfortable GI issues. Which I tended to brush off or chalk up to the fact that I was in college (so stress was certainly present).
But by age 25, after finding my root causes and addressing them (we’ll get into this more later), I was able to truly say I’ve eliminated 99% of my chronic symptoms. After navigating an hypothyroidism diagnosis for almost a decade, I have both struggled and overcome this condition and now live a symptom-free life. I’ve now helped hundreds of women with hypothyroidism get relief from their symptoms and want to help you too!
In this blog post, you’ll find the steps I would take if I was hypothetically diagnosed with Hashimoto’s today. So knowing what I know now, here’s the exact roadmap I’d follow to feel empowered and start working toward relief from unwanted symptoms!
Step 1: Make Sure I’m on Board with your Hashimoto’s Diagnosis
The first thing I’d ask myself is, “Does this diagnosis make sense?”
Hashimoto’s symptoms often overlap with other conditions like vitamin/nutrient deficiencies, celiac disease, lupus. So, if I had any doubts, I’d get a second (or third) opinion from an endocrinologist, rheumatologist or other specialist who understands thyroid conditions and autoimmune disease. One autoimmune disease increases our risk for other autoimmune diseases showing up, so it’s important to get a full work up.
Pro tip: If a doctor diagnoses you without asking about symptoms thoroughly or running additional testing beyond TSH and free T4 to rule out other explanations from your symptoms, this is a red flag! Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself, because no one knows your body better than you! To educate yourself on the diagnostic process, read these guidelines from the American Thyroid Association.
Step 2: Stabilize and Support
In order to stabilize thyroid function, you first have to know where exactly your thyroid needs support. Depending on your symptoms, I’d take a look at:
FULL thyroid panel (Take a look at what optimal thyroid levels look like here)
Iron and ferritin
Vitamin D
B12
Selenium
Zinc
CRP (inflammation)
A1c and fasting glucose (blood sugar markers)
Why this matters: many people are told their labs are “normal” while still feeling exhausted, cold, bloated, anxious, or gaining weight. Or only given a thyroid medication to address TSH levels but not address the full picture.
Data guides strategy, but labs are only one piece of the puzzle. Your doctor should also NOT jus treat you based on labs alone, but your symptoms and health history too.
Unfortunately doctors can be a bit resistant to additional testing as insurance may not deem it necessary for treatment, but it certainly is necessary to improving your health and thyroid through nutrition and lifestyle. In my program, Holos Harmony, we review any additional testing that could be helpful in your journey from the start to make sure we are not missing any pieces.
Step 3: Get Strategic, Not Restrictive
One of the biggest mistakes I see? Going straight to restriction.
If I were diagnosed today, I would not immediately eliminate every food you’ll see in a Google Search of “what foods should I avoid for Hashimoto’s. Instead, I’d focus on what to add in first:
Adequate calories (undereating worsens thyroid function)
Quality protein sources (I use Walden Farms Meat Subscription to ensure the quality of my protein sources - get $75 off)
Anti-inflammatory foods (olive oil, avocado, fatty fish, herbs, spices, fruit and veggies). Pique is my favorite way to also fit in anti-inflammatory herbs/spices.
Minerals that support the thyroid (iodine balance, selenium, zinc). Electrolytes are important too (I use Redmond’s Real Salt for cooking and hydration)
Once nourishment is consistent, then I’d evaluate food sensitivities thoughtfully—not from fear.
Gluten can be inflammatory for some people with Hashimoto’s, but it’s not a universal rule as some make it seem.
What I’d do:
Trial a structured, time-bound gluten-free period (4-8 weeks)
Ensure replacements are nutrient-dense (not just GF processed foods)
Monitor symptoms, labs, digestion, and energy
If gluten removal helps? Great, we keep it sustainable. If not? We move on. This is where personalization matters most.
You might hear about dairy and nightshades (tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, etc.) too. But I would work with a dietitian to find your specific triggers.
Step 4: Find Your Community & Resources
Hashimoto’s can feel isolating. So here’s a reminder that you don’t have to go through this on your own (even when that can sometimes feel like the easiest thing to do). Joining a support group, working with a dietitian or nutritionist trained in thyroid health, or connecting with others in my Holos Harmony program has been a game-changer for overcoming thyroid dysfunction once and for all. Community is the key to life long progress. When things get tough, community is there to pull you through.
If I had found my community sooner in my journey, I just know I would have avoided so much stress and overwhelm through the process.
Books:
The Paleo Gut Healing Cookbook: 75 Nourishing Paleo + AIP Recipes & 10 Practices to Strengthen Digestion by Alison Marras
Hashimoto's Protocol: A Groundbreaking Prescription to Reverse Symptoms, Heal Autoimmune Damage, and Reclaim Your Life with Personalized Detox Plans, Nourishing Recipes, and Proven Treatment
Educational Information: Paloma Health
Podcasts:
Thyroid Pharmacist by Dr. Izabella Wentz
Game-Changing Health Podcast: Diving into Hashimoto’s with Nicole Nyerick
Instagram: Me! @Nicolesnutrition
Pro tip: Be careful with forums like Facebook support groups and Reddit. While there can be helpful information and camaraderie on these forums, you will also find misinformation and people who are feeling hopeless. If you’re not in the right mental headspace, you may not want to jump into these platforms yet.
Step 5: You Can’t Ignore Your Gut
Even if you don’t have concerns around your gut or bowel movements (or maybe you do like I did!), your gut health is one of the largest puzzle pieces that needs to be addressed to reduce or even overcoming Hashimoto’s completely (yes— remission is possible for many of us!).
Our gut sensitive. Anything from previous antibiotic use, food poisoning when you went on vaca years ago, recurring UTIs, or inadequate fiber intake can result in underlying GI imbalances. Which then can trigger an autoimmune disease, such as Hashimoto’s, over time.
One more thing about diet: even if you are sensitive to certain foods now, that doesn’t mean you’ll be sensitive to them forever. I’ve witnessed many of my clients with diet sensitivities completely overcome them after finding and addressing their root cause(s) such as GI inflammation, H pylori overgrowth, or bacteria dysbiosis.
Step 6: Adjust to the Lifestyle
If medication was recommended, I’d remind myself: Taking thyroid medication is not giving up on root causes.
For many people, medication provides stability so lifestyle and nutrition work can actually stick. It’s not either/or—it’s often both. The goal isn’t to avoid meds at all costs. The goal is to feel well.
Shifting to a mindset of “this is a lifestyle” rather than a quick fix, can be helpful to ensure your nutrition and lifestyle habits stick. It’s been a few years since I overcame my symptoms and I still practice the tools I learned throughout while allowing for flexibility in my routine.
Ready to take control of your Hashimoto’s symptoms?
Join my Holos Harmony 1:1 Program. Here’s a sneak peak at what it looks like when you join:
You book an introductory call to make sure it’s a good fit and discuss program length options (4 to 9 months)
We jump on a call together to discuss your health history, concerns, and where you want to go
A customized roadmap leading you to your goals including specific nutrition guidelines and supplement suggestions
Follow-up testing (if appropriate) such as blood work (full thyroid panel, micronutrient status, inflammation status, cortisol, etc.) and comprehensive stool testing to address the root of GI symptoms
Personalized weekly meal plan support and meal ideas that align with your nutrition needs based on your height, weight, exercise, and health goals
Weekly review of your meals and snacks by your dietitian to identify any gaps or missing nutrients
Ongoing check-ins to work through challenges and to get accountability while implementing new habits
A community of others with Hashimoto’s or other thyroid conditions to share success and struggles, with monthly community calls for more eduction and support
