For many women, symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, or hormonal changes after pregnancy are often brushed aside as “normal.” But for one mother of three and pharmacist, those symptoms became the beginning of a thyroid journey that taught her the importance of listening to her body, advocating for herself, and staying informed.
Her thyroid condition first surfaced after the birth of her second child in 2014.
“About five or six months after delivery, I started experiencing hair fall,” she recalled. “At first, I thought it was because of breastfeeding.”
But the hair loss became impossible to ignore. After getting checked, doctors discovered abnormalities in her thyroid hormone levels along with Vitamin D deficiency. Testing confirmed hypothyroidism, and she was prescribed Levothyroxine, a medication she continues to take daily.
“I was started on 75 mcg of Levothyroxine, and I’ve been taking it every day since then,” she shared. “I’m happy taking it because it’s a safe option.”
As a pharmacist herself, she already understood the importance of thyroid hormones and treatment adherence. That knowledge helped ease some of the fear surrounding the diagnosis.
“My hair fall stopped after treatment,” she explained. “The real problem comes when doctors cannot diagnose the condition early. That is more frustrating for patients.”
Although weight gain is often associated with hypothyroidism, her symptoms looked different. She experienced fatigue and leg cramps but did not notice significant weight changes. Her diagnosis was confirmed through thyroid function testing, including TSH and thyroid hormone levels.
She believes many patients ignore symptoms or are unaware that thyroid disease can appear after pregnancy.
“I had no family history,” she said. “Sometimes I wonder if it is related to lifestyle changes, environment, Vitamin D deficiency, or hormonal changes after pregnancy.”
Over the years, she has become deeply passionate about educating others about thyroid awareness and patient self-advocacy.
“Patients are the best doctors for themselves,” she emphasized. “Do your research. Collect your data. Discuss your options with your doctor.”
Her experience as both a patient and healthcare professional has reinforced the importance of awareness and regular monitoring.
She encourages patients to monitor symptoms and stay engaged with their healthcare providers regarding appropriate follow-up testing and thyroid management.
Treatment decisions should always be individualized and discussed with a healthcare provider, as what works best can vary from patient to patient.
Diet and lifestyle can also play a role in thyroid management. While she generally follows a healthy diet, she points out that certain foods and supplements may affect thyroid function or interfere with thyroid medication absorption when consumed in excess.
“There should be more education around which foods can alter thyroid levels if eaten regularly,” she said.
Fortunately, her medication has been covered by insurance. She recognizes that many patients still lack awareness around thyroid disease, proper testing, and long-term management.
Today, her message to the community is simple:
“Go and get checked.”
She encourages people not to ignore persistent symptoms and to understand the basics of thyroid health. If symptoms or risk factors are present, individuals should speak with their healthcare provider about whether thyroid or Vitamin D testing may be appropriate.
She hopes that more community conversations around hormonal health, thyroid disease, and preventive care will empower patients to seek answers earlier rather than later.
Through her journey as a mother, pharmacist, and patient, she reminds others that awareness, consistency, and self-advocacy can make all the difference.
~ Ekta Grewal
(Founder, Sikhs in Clinical Research)
