When the Spark Starts to Dim
I recently found out I had a borderline, under-active thyroid. I knew something was up as this usually bubbly, overactive, very social persona just wanted to sleep. The idea of socialising made me want to withdraw more. Putting myself on socials gave me hives, and even picking up the phone to have a chat felt like more effort than I cared for.
Being in my first trimester, I figured it was normal.
Never being one to settle for whatever “normal” means, I went to the doctor to get my bloods done. Yep, thyroid was tanking, and he strongly advised me to go on thyroxine.
The Doctor’s Dilemma
Doctors have a place, and I get so frustrated with them. This lovely man, who genuinely thought he was helping me with a solution, offered me a lifeline, with zero side effects. By which I mean, he shared none of them.
Had I been in a different timeline, I potentially would have taken that script and reaped the risks and potential rewards for years to come. No drug has zero side effects. None. And the lack of communication and informed consent around them is what makes me rise up with fury.
Anyhoo… moving on.
Doing My Own Homework
I suggested I come back in a few weeks for another test to see where I was at. I wanted to do my own research, reach out to my trusted community, and see what I could do with food, herbs and movement.
I found heaps.
The Thyroid, Simply Put
For anyone who hasn’t fallen down the thyroid rabbit hole yet, here’s the simple version. The thyroid is a small gland that sits at the base of your neck, but it’s a mighty player in how your body functions. It controls metabolism, mood, temperature, energy levels and even digestion.
When it slows down, everything slows down. Think of it as your body’s internal thermostat, when it dips, your warmth, spark and rhythm all take a nap.
What fascinated me most was how specific nutrients can either support or hinder thyroid function. It’s not about a single magic pill but about nourishing a network of processes that all talk to each other.
What Helped Me
Bovine kidney was one of the most interesting finds. It’s rich in selenium, an essential mineral that protects the thyroid from oxidative stress and helps convert T4 (the inactive form of thyroid hormone) into T3, the form your cells can actually use. It also contains natural cofactors and peptides that mirror our own tissue structure, giving the body a kind of blueprint for repair and balance. There’s something poetic about that, feeding the body what it recognises.
Tyrosine was another discovery. It’s an amino acid and a precursor to thyroid hormones themselves. Your body combines tyrosine with iodine to produce T3 and T4, meaning that without enough tyrosine, that process can stumble. You’ll find it in eggs, meats, cheese, and some nuts and seeds. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes nutrients that doesn’t get much attention but quietly keeps everything humming.
Iodine is non-negotiable for thyroid hormone production. It’s like the ink in the printer, no iodine, no printout. I experimented with small amounts of iodine drops and started including seaweed in my diet. Seaweed is naturally rich in iodine, along with other minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium that help overall cellular health. The key is moderation — too much iodine can overwhelm the thyroid, especially if you already have autoimmune tendencies.
Zinc, magnesium and iron also made a difference. Zinc and magnesium help with hormone conversion, while iron moves oxygen through the body, including to the thyroid. Oysters, leafy greens, cacao, grass-fed beef and eggs all became staples. Simple, real food. Nothing complicated, nothing extreme.
When I went back a few weeks later, my thyroid had jumped back up, as had my energy and desire to be part of the world again. It felt like someone had turned the lights back on.
What I Learned
The thyroid is precise, and especially for women, it can be a little more sensitive. It holds a lot of our stress and emotions.
Please don’t take anything I’ve said above as personal advice, it isn’t. This is what I did for me, what felt right for me, and I was grateful it worked. You are unique and will be different. Please do your own research and explore what is right for you.
I truly believe that no one is a better physician of your own body than you are. And in saying that, I also believe we can’t do this alone. Oxymoron perhaps. What I mean by this is that outsourcing advice is often needed, but mindfulness and intuition around who is a skill set I wish they taught in schools.
Whoever you choose, it’s then entirely up to you whether you follow that advice. Never give up your autonomy of knowing what feels right and what doesn’t, even in pressured moments. Take a moment to feel into it and decide. Take the advice and do your own research before acting. Reach out for a second opinion.
I’ve seen time and time again years of people’s lives be gobbled up by taking professional advice without then thinking, “Does this feel right for me?”
Coming Home to Yourself
Food is medicine. Movement heals. Quietening down and feeling into where to go next works. Let’s be the collective that utilises this first and then turns to pharmaceuticals when needed.
If you are someone who takes pharmaceuticals, there is zero shame in that, and also a power within the above that can support your beautiful body too. Research what nutrients and minerals they draw on and increase these in your food or with supplements. Familiarise yourself with the side effects so you can be aware.
Take radical self-accountability for the only home you’ll have that matters.
Big love,
Kirsty x
