Hi, I'm Emma.
Life before thyroid disease
I was a positive and happy person; busy, sociable and slightly obsessed with exercise. At age 29, I sold everything I owned and went to work on a cruise ship, like you do! It was a shock to my system to say the least; long hours, no days off and pretty stressful at times. I ate and drank too much, barely slept, had no time for exercise and certainly made the most of my short stints on dry land. After 3 months I felt sluggish and couldn’t fit in to my favourite jeans! Every woman knows just how miserable this feels.
I was a positive and happy person; busy, sociable and slightly obsessed with exercise. At age 29, I sold everything I owned and went to work on a cruise ship, like you do! It was a shock to my system to say the least; long hours, no days off and pretty stressful at times. I ate and drank too much, barely slept, had no time for exercise and certainly made the most of my short stints on dry land. After 3 months I felt sluggish and couldn’t fit in to my favourite jeans! Every woman knows just how miserable this feels.
When it all went wrong
I felt so exhausted when I got home and out of nowhere, I'd developed the most ridiculous bloating, I looked pregnant! For the next 5 years I battled with fatigue, bloating, constipation and low mood. Dragging myself to the gym was like wading through treacle. Weirdly, my mood could switch between depression and mania which really worried me as I wondered if I had bipolar disorder. I didn't understand what was happening to my brain. I couldn’t tell anyone, not even my family or closest friends, I felt like I was going mad.
I had some blood tests and was told my thyroid function was borderline. I didn’t know what my thyroid was or what it meant to be borderline. I was prescribed anti-depressants but knew deep down I wasn't depressed, it had to be something else. I felt bewildered and alone.
I felt so exhausted when I got home and out of nowhere, I'd developed the most ridiculous bloating, I looked pregnant! For the next 5 years I battled with fatigue, bloating, constipation and low mood. Dragging myself to the gym was like wading through treacle. Weirdly, my mood could switch between depression and mania which really worried me as I wondered if I had bipolar disorder. I didn't understand what was happening to my brain. I couldn’t tell anyone, not even my family or closest friends, I felt like I was going mad.
I had some blood tests and was told my thyroid function was borderline. I didn’t know what my thyroid was or what it meant to be borderline. I was prescribed anti-depressants but knew deep down I wasn't depressed, it had to be something else. I felt bewildered and alone.
The crash
Despite bouts of fatigue I pushed myself to exercise as an effort to hold on to normality. But as the months went on my exhaustion became overwhelming. Every single cell of my body ached with fatigue, even my brain cells! I would sleep for hours. I’d gear myself up to vacuum my flat, only to need 2 hours on the sofa to recover; my tank was empty. There was such a fog in my head that I’d lose words in the middle of a sentence. I knew all this couldn't be normal.
After another blood test my doctor said I had an underactive thyroid and elevated thyroid antibodies. I was told I would need a lifelong medication called levothyroxine which would replace the thyroid hormone my body wasn't making. I felt immediately relieved. Finally, an explanation for my exhaustion and some medication that would fix everything - thank the Lord!
Despite bouts of fatigue I pushed myself to exercise as an effort to hold on to normality. But as the months went on my exhaustion became overwhelming. Every single cell of my body ached with fatigue, even my brain cells! I would sleep for hours. I’d gear myself up to vacuum my flat, only to need 2 hours on the sofa to recover; my tank was empty. There was such a fog in my head that I’d lose words in the middle of a sentence. I knew all this couldn't be normal.
After another blood test my doctor said I had an underactive thyroid and elevated thyroid antibodies. I was told I would need a lifelong medication called levothyroxine which would replace the thyroid hormone my body wasn't making. I felt immediately relieved. Finally, an explanation for my exhaustion and some medication that would fix everything - thank the Lord!
Digging deeper
My dose of levothyroxine kept being increased every few weeks. I didn't feel much better and I was signed off work for 3 months. That was it. There were no other solutions offered for my continuing symptoms.
I was fed up feeling like I'd lost myself. I needed more answers so I found a nutritionist and what a god-send she was! Having experienced thyroid problems herself, she knew exactly how I felt and assured me it wasn’t all in my head. I did some tests to find out what was really going on underneath. These revealed imbalances with my gut health and adrenal function. I took targeted supplements and made some simple changes to my diet and lifestyle.
My dose of levothyroxine kept being increased every few weeks. I didn't feel much better and I was signed off work for 3 months. That was it. There were no other solutions offered for my continuing symptoms.
I was fed up feeling like I'd lost myself. I needed more answers so I found a nutritionist and what a god-send she was! Having experienced thyroid problems herself, she knew exactly how I felt and assured me it wasn’t all in my head. I did some tests to find out what was really going on underneath. These revealed imbalances with my gut health and adrenal function. I took targeted supplements and made some simple changes to my diet and lifestyle.
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Transformation
My energy began to improve, my bloating reduced and my mood stabilised. I couldn't believe how much better I was feeling! I was so impressed with these results I decided to study nutrition myself. As I gained more knowledge about biochemistry, I continued to make changes and now I feel 90% better. I am in awe of how amazing our bodies are, being able to right themselves when we supply the right tools and self-care. My medication is now at the lowest dose and my Hashimoto's disease is in remission. I still have ‘thyroid days’ but I’ve come to understand my body so much better. It’s remarkable how we can adapt to change. |
"I was addicted to Custard Creams and now you couldn't pay me enough to have them! I've no doubt I'm healthier now than I was before, I feel great! and you can achieve this too" |
My mission
If I'd discovered the root cause of my symptoms when I was first unwell, I could have saved a lot of time and misery. That being said, I firmly believe in finding positive outcomes from uninvited experiences. My thyroid journey has given me purpose. I have been empowered and now I empower other women to get well. Using my knowledge and experience I can help you to regain energy, banish brain fog and rediscover your spark!
If I'd discovered the root cause of my symptoms when I was first unwell, I could have saved a lot of time and misery. That being said, I firmly believe in finding positive outcomes from uninvited experiences. My thyroid journey has given me purpose. I have been empowered and now I empower other women to get well. Using my knowledge and experience I can help you to regain energy, banish brain fog and rediscover your spark!
Professional memberships
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I am registered with the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine, the professional association for qualified nutritionists. I achieved a level 6 diploma in Nutritional Therapy from the College of Naturopathic Medicine.
For additional public confidence, I am also registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council; an independent regulatory body who set a Code of Conduct, Ethics and Performance, with the sole purpose of protecting the public.
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