Wholistic Jen

By Jennifer Whitmire MS, MEd, MH, CHES, NEP 

Why wasn’t I told this?

This question has haunted me for years.

I lived with a completely reversible condition, yet my doctor told me, “You will die if you don’t do this procedure.” The procedure was radioactive iodine (RAI)—a procedure that kills your thyroid, as if your body wasn’t already doing that for you. 

What I wasn’t told were the long-term risks:

• 92% increased risk of leukemia in patients treated before age 45 (I was 41).
• 200% increase in salivary gland cancer.
• 55% higher risk of uterine cancer.
• 42% higher risk of lung cancer.
• 18% higher risk of breast cancer, especially in younger patients.

I walked out of that office terrified.  I had refused radiation and surgery for 6 years. I knew I had to sign paperwork that I wouldn’t try to have more children and that was upsetting enough, but I had no idea of the risks I was actually taking. 

That moment defined my mission
To save body parts!

That’s why I write this blog and my WHY when I work with clients and teach my classes in The Zen & Zest Zone.

You can read more about my story here, and listen to it here.

The Holidays and Our Health Choices

For many, the holidays are a time of indulgence. For those of us managing autoimmune thyroid disease, they can feel like a minefield. Sugary desserts, inflammatory meals, and a whirlwind of stress threaten the delicate balance we fight to maintain.

Yes, I might seem hyper-vigilant during this season. I avoid gluten like it’s poison (because it is to me), choose anti-inflammatory foods, and prioritize mindfulness practices. Why? Because my health and longevity depend on it.

This holiday season, I want to challenge you to look beyond the cookie trays and festive cocktails and ask yourself a powerful question:

“Why am I making this choice, and how will it affect me later?”

You can also make your own cookies! Cookies that can actually nourish you.  Jennifer Swank and I share loads of recipes and even have a gluten free, blood sugar stabilizing cookbook of recipes that can help you on your thyroid disease healing journey.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask ‘Why?’

When I was told I had to have radioactive iodine or I would die, I didn’t know how to question my doctor. I had fought against the standard treatment for 6 years, and I trusted my doctor. She had let me get away with it until now.

6 months after my RAI, I was sicker than I had ever been.  I was losing my hair and my eyebrows, I had to start a new medication that caused a horrible itchy rash over my ribs, and my doctor retired. That’s right! I just paid for her retirement, and now I’m sick and miserable and betrayed!

If you’ve been told there’s no other option. You have to have an invasive treatments, surgery, or medications, I want you to know this:

• It’s okay to question your doctor.
• It’s okay to seek a second opinion.
• It’s okay to advocate for your body.

In my case, asking “Why?” would have saved me years of health struggles. It could have saved me from facing the lifetime risks of RAI therapy. And I wouldn’t have to depend on daily medications (that only functional medicine doctors will prescribe unless I want that horrible rash to come back) for the rest of my life.

The Betrayal of Misinformation

Autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s and Graves’ are overwhelming. From fatigue and brain fog to heart palpitations and hair loss, the symptoms alone are enough to send anyone searching for solutions. Jennifer Swank was told it was just because she was getting older?! WTH? She ended up in the hospital.

The healthcare system fails us by offering band-aid solutions that ignore the root cause.

• Did you know that iodine levels can worsen or improve both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease? You need the right balance. You need 4 iodine molecules for every thyroid hormone that is needed on almost every single cell in your body.  It’s the 4 in T4 on your blood test.
• Or that selenium deficiency is common in autoimmune thyroid disease and can make the condition worse? It’s another one that needs to be kept in balance.
• Stress, hormonal changes, and environmental toxins are major triggers that often go unaddressed. My doctor told me to just avoid stress. HA!

Meanwhile, the wrong supplements or even “healthy” herbs can block your progress.

• Kelp and bladderwrack (commonly marketed for thyroid health) can overstimulate the gland and make hyperthyroidism, Graves, worse.
• Bugleweed and lemon balm may suppress thyroid function—problematic for hypothyroid patients. Bugleweed is used quite often to detox the thyroid, because the thyroid is know to me damaged from metal toxicity, BUT it should be used temporarily and as a part of a whole cleansing program.
• Ashwagandha is known for stress relief, but even it is not right for everyone. It can disrupt thyroid hormones and has even been indicated in some thyroid storms.

What About Mushrooms and Supplements to Help the Immune System?

While mushrooms are praised for their health benefits, their effects on autoimmune conditions are complex and can vary depending on the specific mushroom. Watch how YOUR body responds to these!

• Turkey tail mushroom contains compounds that modulate the immune system. It’s shown promise in cancer studies, but its immune-boosting properties could inadvertently trigger autoimmune flare-ups.
• Reishi and chaga mushrooms are known for their anti-inflammatory effects and ability to regulate cytokine production. They are also potent antioxidants which help protect cells from damage.
• Shiitake mushrooms, however, are generally not recommended for autoimmune diseases. They can overstimulate the immune system, possible worsening symptoms for those with already overactive immune responses.

Herbal supplements marketed for “immune support” can also spell trouble. Popular choices like echinacea, elderberry, spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green algae are huge in marketing circles and can be healthy, but their immune-stimulating effects can aggravate autoimmune conditions and lead to flares or even new symptoms.

The takeaway? Even “natural” remedies aren’t one-size-fits-all.

If you’re managing an autoimmune condition, go LOW AND SLOW when introducing new supplements or herbs and pay attention how you feel before after and even over the next few days. What works for someone else health might undermine yours. The path to healing lies in understanding YOU ARE UNIQUE, addressing the root causes of imbalance, and choosing targeted, personalized solutions.

How do we get through this maze of misinformation?

Your Body Is Not a Battleground

Autoimmune diseases don’t just attack the body—they undermine our confidence, energy, and sense of self. The constant fighting against inflammation, fatigue, and weight changes is exhausting. Add to that the mental toll of conflicting advice from doctors and ‘experts”, and it’s no wonder so many of us feel defeated.

But what if we stopped seeing our bodies as battlefields? What if, instead of waging war against ourselves, we focused on building systems of support?

This is where The Zen & Zest Zone comes in.

What Is The Zen & Zest Zone?

The Zen & Zest Zone is more than a membership—it’s a lifeline for those ready to reclaim their health.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

• Cooking Classes that make anti-inflammatory, gluten-free, and thyroid-friendly meals approachable and delicious. These are quick and easy dishes that your whole family will enjoy-you don’t have to tell them that they are gluten free or healthy!
• Herbal Workshops to help you understand how plants can support your unique needs (and which ones to avoid). In December we made chapsticks, salves, and holiday teas that were fun, gift-worthy, healing, and anti-inflammatory.  January is all about immune health and things we can make to have on hand to stay healthy or to get our health back if we get sick.  February is Heart Month, and March is Spring Cleaning- Detoxing and changing with the seasons.
• Mindfulness Practices to manage stress and support your thyroid’s delicate balance. We have a special hour-long laughter yoga and meditation session.  Want to try Laughter Yoga?  It’s FREE Monday through Friday at 7:30 am PT, check it out here.
• Special Classes for mindfulness and leanring. Sometimes we do NeuroArt, Qi Gong, Q&As.
• A Supportive Community of people who get it—because we’ve been there too. We also have a group in What’s App where you can ask questions and get group support between classes.

The Zen & Zest Zone isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about creating a sustainable lifestyle that honors your body and supports your healing journey.

What We’re Up Against

If you’re living with Hashimoto’s, Graves’, or another autoimmune thyroid condition, you already know the challenges. These conditions impact nearly every aspect of your health, and the long-term risks are not explained.  

For autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s and Graves’, poor management or delayed treatment can be significant. Hashimoto’s can lead to cardiovascular complications such as high cholesterol, hypertension, and even heart failure. Untreated hypothyroidism also raises the risk of goiter, thyroid cancer, infertility, and pregnancy complications, not to mention mental health struggles like depression, anxiety, and memory issues. In severe cases, it can result in myxedema, swelling due to mucopolysaccharide deposits in the skin which can lead to coma and multi-organ dysfunction and altered mental status.

Graves’ disease overstimulates the thyroid, creating its own set of risks. It can lead to cardiovascular issues like arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and heart failure. It also weakens bones and muscles. And don’t forget Graves eyes, TED, Thyroid Eye Disease.

Graves’ ophthalmopathy can cause bulging eyes, blurry or double vision, and permanent vision loss. Untreated Graves’ increases the likelihood of thyroid storm and raises the risk of developing other autoimmune diseases.

Non-autoimmune hypothyroidism also has unique challenges. Slow thyroid function can lead to persistent fatigue, weight gain, and impaired glucose regulation, increasing the risk of diabetes. It also increases heart disease by increasing cholesterol and stiffening arteries. It can also lead to cognitive decline and dementia-like symptoms. 

Thyroid nodules, while usually benign, require careful monitoring due to potential malignancy or compression symptoms like difficulty swallowing or breathing.

In the conventional system, the standard of care introduces additional complications. RAI therapy used in Graves’ disease can damage salivary glands, resulting in dry mouth, taste changes, and tooth decay. It also carries an increased risk of certain cancers and contributes to lasting fatigue and fertility challenges. 

For those on lifelong thyroid hormone replacement, overtreatment can mimic hyperthyroidism, causing irregular heart rhythms, bone loss, and blood sugar control issues. Long-term medication use also requires consistent blood work and monitoring. Even slight imbalances can lead to serious health concerns.

These aren’t risks we can afford to ignore. And yet, so many of us are told they’re the price of this disease.

Use a proactive approach that looks at the Whole Body and combines holistic care, dietary changes, and lifestyle adjustments including appropriate self-care.

This Holiday Season, Choose Health Over Hype

It’s easy to get swept up in the indulgence of the holidays, but what’s the cost?

For me, the cost of ignoring my health was a lifetime of increased risks. It’s why I’ve committed to staying gluten-free, eating anti-inflammatory foods, and practicing mindfulness—even when the world tells me to “relax and enjoy.”

Choosing health doesn’t mean sacrificing joy. It means redefining joy to include energy, clarity, and freedom from pain.

This holiday season, I invite you to join me in making choices that honor your body, not just your taste buds.

Take the First Step Today

If you’ve ever felt betrayed by the healthcare system or overwhelmed by your diagnosis, know that you’re not alone. There is a path forward—a way to heal, thrive, and feel empowered in your health journey.

The Zen & Zest Zone is here to guide you every step of the way.

👉 Join the Zen & Zest Zone now to start your journey toward better health. Together, we’ll make this holiday season the beginning of something truly transformational.