Sneak Peek into my journey

Living Fully with Hashimoto's

Dear readers,

Being an introvert, talking about myself usually feels a little out of my comfort zone. But since I’ve decided to explore this online space and share bits and pieces of my life, I figure you should know the face behind the feed.

Here is my story in a nutshell.

My Roots: I am an Indian woman, born and brought up in Kolkata—the cultural capital of India—where I grew up in a middle-class home.

My Background: Before moving to Brussels with my husband, I studied literature and communication, and spent years working in India's development sector.

My Mindset: I am a bit of a contrarian. I like to question before accepting new ideas, contemplate before developing new habits, and speculate before welcoming new people into my life.

My Loves: Cooking, traveling, and sleeping. Seriously—I can easily sleep for 12 to 16 hours at a stretch!

My Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Story: The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

My relationship with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis began unexpectedly in 2021. Looking back, the warning signs that my thyroid gland was under attack had been everywhere, though I didn't know it yet. During a warm Belgian summer, I found myself shivering and clad in three layers of heavy winter wear. My hair was shedding in clumps exposing noticeable bald patches across the scalp. My legs and feet were frozen cold round the clock, forcing me to constantly carry a hot water bottle just to get temporary relief. The exhaustion was absolute; every morning, I woke up feeling too depleted to ever fall back to sleep. Soon, even basic household chores left me completely short of breath. I knew something was fundamentally wrong, but I never expected a chronic illness diagnosis.

When my doctor finally delivered the news, I felt completely disoriented. He told me I had an autoimmune thyroid disorder, a phrase that meant absolutely nothing to me at the time. The only time I had ever heard the term "autoimmune condition" was on television, watching news coverage about Selena Gomez and her battle with Lupus. Suddenly, I was thrust into that same mysterious world of immune system dysfunction.

My TSH level was marginally high at 5.78 but TPO antibody was 470 (the normal range is below 34 IU/mL) when I was first diagnosed. Soon after, a  everyday ritual took over my life: the phone alarm blaring at 6:00 AM, followed immediately by me taking my daily 100 mcg dosage of L-Thyroxine.

After a month of this routine, I went in for a follow-up blood test, expecting to see progress. Instead, I was told that my TSH level was still stagnant —it hadn't budged even a fraction. My TPO antibody had climbed even higher. Navigating this diagnosis became a steep learning curve. Still, finally understanding the root cause of my crushing fatigue and stubbornly elevated TSH felt like the crucial first step toward reclaiming my health.

The next few months were a blur of endless visits to the nearest medical college for test after test. When the results finally came back, I was stunned: my body was highly reactive to gluten, dairy, and soy.

I couldn't help but wonder, is this actually real? How was I supposed to navigate life without my favorite triple-layer chocolate cake, or the daily cup of masala milk tea that had always been non-negotiable for me?

Admittedly, I took my elimination diet a bit perfunctorily at first. I would still indulge in a slice of cake at a birthday party, enjoy a glass of wine at a cozy winter get-together, or order a bowl of chili chicken from my favorite local Chinese eatery.

But my body quickly began punishing me for these indiscretions. Before long, a wave of new symptoms crashed over me: thyroid eye disease, perpetual stomach unrest, early-onset arthritis, chronic headaches, and a flare of painful, red, itchy patches all over my skin.

I was backed into a corner. I had no choice but to finally listen to my body and strictly eliminate everything it was rejecting.

I won't pretend it was easy, and it certainly didn't happen overnight. It required a complete lifestyle overhaul. Scrutinizing the minute details of ingredient lists—even for the most basic groceries—became an automatic habit. The entire process became a profound journey of learning, unlearning, and relearning how to adapt to my new normal.

Finding My Path: My diagnosis changed me. Instead of pushing my dreams to the back burner, I learned to make my health a priority. I began practicing kindness toward my body. Most of all, I learned to appreciate life’s small joys—the quiet, everyday moments I never realized could be so deeply fulfilling. This blog is a space to explore that ongoing learning. It is an honest look at the journey, documenting the messy failures and setbacks, while finding a way to remain steady alongside the realities of chronic illness.