My Health Journey: Exploring the potential root cause of my autoimmune issues, and how I put it into regression

Alana Falzon

The early signs

Growing up, I considered myself fairly healthy; my only recurring problems were acid reflux and horrible vision. As a baby, doctors recommended sphincter surgery for my frequent reflux, but my mom instead took me to a native medicine man, who reportedly traditionally healed my little belly. That says a lot about my upbringing, already being influenced by a woman who puts holistic health first. This remedy worked for some time…until I began telling Mom, “I threw up a little in my mouth.” child translation: acid reflux. 

Back then, I didn’t understand trigger foods, so I’d pop Tums and forget about it. Over time, Tums turned into prescription pills: omeprazole/famotidine, which I took nearly daily. Because I grew up in a holistic household, the pills were gradually replaced with more natural remedies, but looking back now at what could have caused my current autoimmune issues, I fear the damage may have been done.

💡Quick Facts💡

Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole is a bandage fix. Because these drugs suppress stomach acid, they can interfere with the absorption of important nutrients like magnesium, iron, zinc, and especially vitamin B12 (all crucial for immune and thyroid health). In fact, in people taking PPIs over six months, clinical B12 deficiency and neurologic symptoms have been observed (Heidelbaugh, J. 2013).

Beyond that, suppressing stomach acid can shift gut flora and encourage bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine (SIBO), potentially damaging the gut barrier. The “gut–thyroid axis” is a growing area of research: some scientists hypothesize that when gut permeability increases, it may trigger or worsen autoimmune diseases.

It’s also worth noting that hypothyroidism itself can slow digestion and reduce stomach acid (a state known as hypochlorhydria), which can manifest as reflux. That raises a possibility: perhaps my omeprazole was treating a symptom of an undiagnosed thyroid issue, not causing it.

Symptoms, Life Factors & Diagnosis

Over the years, I dealt with fluctuations in weight, unexplained fatigue, easy bruising, and brain fog. In March 2017, I had my first confirmed Raynaud’s flare-up. That summer, I started taking hormonal birth control as recommended, as the only solution to my ovarian cysts. Within a couple of months, my mood shifted: I’d cry uncontrollably, feel dark clouds of depression, and just not like myself. I stopped taking these shortly after starting.

Around the same time, I let go of weed. My relationship with Mary Jane turned toxic, bringing on anxiety and paranoia I didn’t know I could feel, and I had lost my go-to stress management tool (healthy or not). I could tell that my hormonal imbalances from trying BC, the stress of my living and relationship situation at the time, and my poor management of this all were leading to some damage. 

In 2019, I began “seed cycling,” going to the gym more regularly, and moved into a healthier environment. I discovered my love for geology, found kindred spirits, and dove deeper into the use of adaptogens and herbs.

I started shedding what no longer suited me: jobs, relationships, self-concepts. Things were looking up!! Then I enrolled in a teaching program at Molloy University, which became unsustainable when COVID hit. I lost support, my grant turned into a loan, making my little to no debt-free college experience crumble, and I started to fall off again.

I drifted… day drinking, strange eating habits (fasting to entire baguettes… so many baguettes??) I was working 55 hours a week and ignoring growing whispers from my body. In 2021, I moved from New York to Arizona and started working in education. In January of 2022, I had my first COVID experience. I had body aches and pains, very flu-like, and I did have extreme brain fog. I did my research and treated myself, and thought I handled it all pretty well. In March of that year, I went to see a doctor. I was still dealing with extreme fatigue. Frequently breaking down emotionally after shifts, and dozing off during lunch breaks.

Due to my multiple teaching jobs and symptoms, the doctor said I had anxiety and gave me hydroxyzine and propanol. I thought that was absurd and a great reflection of the holes in our healthcare system, and returned to treating myself herbally. I blamed my hair thinning on the Arizona hard water, and my fatigue on the elevation changes or adrenal fatigue, and the acne on my diet & hormone imbalances, and continued to live my sleepy little life. Unrelated (or so I thought) to these symptoms, I was diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosis . This was my first autoimmune diagnosis. 

About a year later, living back in New York, I started to notice a few more things that just didn't feel right. I was getting an inflammatory response to so many different foods that used to not bother me. And then there was fatigue coupled with a scarily slow heartbeat, muscle weakness, waking up super achy and exhausted, ect… The most alarming of them all was my swollen lymph nodes. They had been swollen for MONTHS. I thought I might have Hashimoto's… or lymphoma. After weeks of my own studying, my sister called me a hypochondriac, and I finally went to a doctor. I specifically asked for a TPO antibody test since, in my research, I found Hashimoto's often goes overlooked if you don't do that specific test. I got some bloodwork done & expected the test I asked for to be in the results. Without looking any further, I just accepted the results of having a healthy thyroid and went on to see the many specialists I was recommended to, not realizing that the antibody test still had not been taken. After months of doctor's appointments, I had finally gone to a rheumatologist and confirmed I was right, it was Hashimoto's. 

I learned a few things the hard way: Raynaud’s is one of the red flags for autoimmune disease; lichen sclerosus often coexists with autoimmunity. I don’t carry a strong family history of autoimmune conditions (my grandmother and great-grandmother had hyperthyroid, not hypo), but my severe life stress, past hormone disruption, gut issues, and even long-term PPI use felt like compounding ingredients. Also, viral infections (like COVID) sometimes precipitate autoimmune flare-ups. It aligned with the timing I began to feel my symptoms worsen. So many life factors could have led to my thyroid’s confusion, and I knew that exploring all of the potential causes was the key to healing.

How I healed myself holistically 

Once diagnosed, I was excited to start my healing path. I was not put on levothyroxine. Here’s what I incorporated and continue to refine:

1. MEAT (especially organ meat)

I'm sorry, vegetarians and vegans, but people with Hashimoto’s often have higher needs for certain nutrients that are abundant and more bioavailable in animal products. For starters, thyroid hormones affect metabolism, which is protein-dependent. Adequate protein supports tissue repair, muscle, and overall hormone function. All meat is a complete protein source, which is so SO important to combat the muscle wasting and joint pain that occurs with Hashimoto's.   

I do want to note that quality is important as well. Prioritize grass-fed, pasture-raised, organic meats when possible. Avoid processed meats, nitrates, and added hormones, and rotate meats; don't overdo the chicken. 

The key nutrients from meat:

• B12 – Crucial for energy, mood, and nerve health. Many with Hashimoto’s have low stomach acid or intrinsic factor issues that impair B12 absorption.

• Iron (heme) – Needed to convert T4 to active T3. Meat contains heme iron, which is better absorbed than plant-based (non-heme) iron.

• Zinc – Supports immune regulation and thyroid hormone conversion. Meat, especially beef and shellfish (which I'm allergic to), is a great source.

• Selenium – Required for the enzyme that converts T4 to T3. Rich in meats like turkey and organ meats. I prioritize dietary sources like eggs, fish, turkey, organ meats and Brazil nuts

• Tyrosine – An amino acid (from protein) used to build thyroid hormones.

• Glycine & Proline from connective tissues, organ meat or bone broths

• Glutamine for gut lining repair, gut integrity, and reducing autoimmune flares. Ogtejn in bone-in cuts or Organ Meats

Pairing these nutrients with anti-inflammatory and fermented foods really helped to manage my autoimmune response. There are so many organ meat supplements and protein powders that make it easier to obtain these nutrients as well! 

My favorite protein powder: https://amzn.to/3WGSblz

2. Adaptogens & herbs & minerals

I began using adaptogens like ashwagandha, Reish, lions mane, turmeric, ginger and maca to help balance stress and thyroid signaling. Interestingly, one double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in subclinical hypothyroid patients (8 weeks) showed that ashwagandha lowered TSH and increased T3/T4 significantly vs. placebo (Sharma et al., 2018). These can lead to thyroid overshoot so use in moderation & listen to your body!

Herbs I have found useful were lemon balm, nettle, horse chestnut, black seed oil,  as well as blends like bitters. These are for MY body tho. 

 Targeted nutrition for mineral support:

• Selenium, known to support thyroid enzyme function and reduce thyroid antibodies, became a daily focus. I prioritized dietary sources like eggs, fish, and brazil nuts rather than high-dose supplements. Supplements can work for some, but they often make me nauseous, and food-sourced nutrients is always best! 

• I also increased vitamin D, iron, zinc, and magnesium.

3. Gut & microbiome support

I integrated prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and bitters to support digestion and microbiome balance, especially important given my long history of reflux and gut sensitivity.

4. Lifestyle & Stress management

Lifestyle changes were the key!!!!!!! Reducing my stress and managing it well were my lifesavers. Your mindset is SO powerful. You have to believe you can heal and then take action toward it. I practiced daily rituals such as journaling, walks, breathwork, movement, and setting boundaries. The way that you train your body to respond to stress is so important for your health. The body keeps score!

Over months, these shifts began to land. My labs trended toward normal thyroid levels; my fatigue started easing (though not overnight). Symptoms melted slowly and nly arose to stress & food triggers. 

What changed: labs, symptoms, and mindset

• My TSH, T3, and T4 levels moved into normal ranges, and antibodies decreased.

• My fatigue lessened, brain fog somewhat lifted, and my mood stabilized.

• I regained muscle strength, better digestion, and fewer flare-ups 

• More importantly, I learned the art of listening to my body 

This journey taught me that healing is rarely linear. There are backward steps, moments of discouragement, surprises and so much trial and error.. but the root-first holistic approach gave me life again. 

A roadmap 

If my path resonates, here’s a gentle, adaptable guide!

Step	Focus	Suggestions
Start with awareness	Track symptoms, labs, stressors	Use a journal or app; include mood, digestion, energy,and cycle tracking
Demand full thyroid testing	Not just TSH — ask for T3, T4, TPO/thyroglobulin antibodies	Many Hashimoto cases are missed on partial panels
Scan your history	Meds (PPIs, hormones), gut issues, infections, trauma	These may be modifiable root factors
Support the gut	Prebiotic fiber, probiotic strains, and digestive enzymes	Start gently; cycle off and on, and monitor response
Nutrition + minerals	Focus on whole foods to increase Selenium, Tyrosine, magnesium, zinc, collagen, and vitamin D	Test before supplementing!
Adaptogens + herbal support	Use herbs and adaptogens moderately	Respect cautions (e.g. thyroid overshoot)
Lifestyle shifts	Sleep, stress reduction, movement, boundaries	No one tool fixes it, it’s the environment you cultivate
Track, retest, adapt	Labs as often as you can, adjust as you go	Use data from labs and from your own monitoring & of course, your intuition!

Closing thoughts

My health story taught me how to root deeper, listen to my body 

If you’re walking a similar path, know this: you don’t need a perfect protocol or a supplement haul. You need small, consistent monitored shifts, with loads of compassion, patience, and curiosity toward your ever-changing body. 

If you made it this far, I’d love to hear from you! If you have an Hashis, what symptom has surprised you most? I’ve had some strange ones! What small ritual has changed your day? Drop me a comment or email. Healing is richer when we walk it together.

Resources:

1. Heidelbaugh, J. J. (2013). Proton pump inhibitors and risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency: Evidence and clinical implications. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 4(3), 125–133. https://doi.org/10.1177/204209861348248

2. Danailova, Y., Velikova, T., Nikolaev, G., Mitova, Z., Shinkov, A., Gagov, H., & Konakchieva, R. (2022). Nutritional management of thyroiditis of Hashimoto. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(9), 5144. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23095144

3. Sharma, A. K., Basu, I., & Singh, S. (2018). Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients: A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(3), 243–248. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0183

4. Abbott, R. D., Yun, P., Levitan, M., & Leffler, M. (2019). Efficacy of the autoimmune protocol diet as part of a multi-disciplinary, supported lifestyle intervention for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Cureus, 11(6), e4736. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.4736

5. Corey, M. (2017). The thyroid cure: The functional mind-body approach to reversing your autoimmune condition and reclaiming your health! Hay House.