A Nurse’s Story of Balancing Hashimoto’s and Graves’

At 45, Riya is a nurse and mom of two teenagers. She has spent her career caring for patients, helping them navigate their health journeys, and advocating for better care. But behind her clinical expertise, Riya has been facing her own battle: living with both Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease—two very different autoimmune diseases that affect the thyroid in opposite ways.

The First Signs

Riya first noticed symptoms in her early thirties. Despite her training, she brushed off her fatigue, brain fog, and unexplained weight gain as “normal” for a new mom. “I thought it was just motherhood catching up with me,” she said. But as a nurse, she also knew the importance of listening to her body. Eventually, she asked her doctor to check her thyroid.

Blood tests revealed elevated thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, indicating Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease that leads to an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). She started thyroid hormone replacement therapy and seemed to adjust well.

A Surprising Twist

Several years later, Riya’s body threw her another curveball. Instead of fatigue and sluggishness, she began experiencing palpitations, anxiety, and heat intolerance. “At first, I thought it was stress from working long shifts,” she says. “I even considered that I was experiencing the signs of early menopause.” But her nursing instincts told her something else was going on.

After tests ruled out menopause, something in those results pointed to another thyroid issue. Following that lead, her doctor ordered more bloodwork, which revealed high levels of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI), the hallmark of Graves’ disease, which causes an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

“I couldn’t believe it,” Riya recalls. “I went from one autoimmune disease slowing me down to another revving me up. As a nurse, I had seen both conditions in patients, but I never imagined I would experience both myself.”

Balancing Conflicting Symptoms

Living with both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ has been like walking a tightrope. One condition leaves her drained, cold, and mentally foggy. The other keeps her wired, sweaty, and unable to sleep.

“I never know which version of myself I’m going to wake up as,” she said. “Some mornings, I’m dragging just to get through my shift. Other times, I feel jittery and can’t sit still, which makes focusing on my patients difficult.”

For a nurse used to being steady and reliable, these unpredictable shifts were frustrating.

Impact on Work as a Nurse

Riya’s dual diagnoses was affecting her work. Nursing is physically demanding—long hours on her feet, unpredictable situations, and high stress. “When my thyroid was out of balance, it was harder to keep up,” she admits. “There were days I worried I couldn’t give my patients the best care.”

At first, she hesitated to share her struggles with colleagues. Nurses are often expected to put patients first and keep going, no matter what. But Riya realized that in order to keep working and caring for others, she had to advocate for herself.

She spoke to her supervisor and explained the situation. With support from her team, she adjusted her schedule, making room for doctor’s appointments, lab work, and rest when she needed it most.

“As nurses, we tell patients to put their health first,” she says. “I had to learn to take my own advice.”

Home and Family Life

At home, Riya’s autoimmune conditions also made their mark. Fatigue sometimes kept her from cooking dinner or helping her kids with homework. Fluctuating energy levels made family outings unpredictable.

“I’ve had to be honest with my kids,” she says. “I explained that some days, I just don’t feel well enough to do everything I want to do. It doesn’t mean I don’t care—it just means my body needs more rest.”

Her family understands, though she admits it can still be tough to miss out on social events or cancel plans at the last minute. “Living with autoimmune disease can feel isolating,” she says. “But I’ve learned that boundaries and communication are key.”

How She Takes Charge of Her Health

Riya’s nursing background gives her a unique perspective on managing her own health. She approaches her care the same way she would for her patients: with curiosity, diligence, and persistence.

• Regular monitoring – She keeps close tabs on her thyroid hormone levels and antibody markers, ensuring her medications stay aligned with her body’s needs.
• Collaborative care – She works hand-in-hand with her endocrinologist, asking informed questions and staying active in decisions about her treatment.
• Autoimmune disease treatment – For Hashimoto’s, she takes thyroid hormone replacement. For Graves’, she sometimes requires antithyroid medication, depending on her lab results.
• Lifestyle changes – She follows an diet that emphasizes anti-inflammatory foods like vegetables, berries, and lean protein, while avoiding processed foods and gluten, which seem to worsen her symptoms.
• Stress management – Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises help her cope with the anxiety and restlessness that come with Graves’ disease.

“Being a nurse doesn’t make me immune from illness, but it does give me the tools to better manage it,” she explains. “I know the importance of advocating for myself, asking questions, and not ignoring symptoms.”

The Emotional Side

Even with her medical knowledge, Riya has faced moments of frustration, sadness, and fear. “I felt betrayed by my own body,” she admits. “I help patients every day, but I couldn’t fix myself.”

Finding community became essential. She joined autoimmune disease support groups where she could connect with others who understood the rollercoaster of living with chronic illness. “When someone else says, ‘I’ve been there,’ it makes all the difference,” she says.

Lessons From the Nurse and the Patient

Riya’s dual perspective as a healthcare professional and a patient has reshaped how she sees nursing.

• Greater empathy: “I understand now what it’s like to sit on the other side of the bed, waiting for answers.”
• The value of listening: She’s more attentive to her patients’ descriptions of fatigue, pain, or “invisible” symptoms.
• The importance of advocacy: She encourages her patients to speak up, get second opinions, and not dismiss their symptoms.

“Having two  autoimmune diseases has made me a better nurse,” she says. “I don’t just treat the disease—I see the whole person.”

Moving Forward

Living with both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease is challenging, but Riya refuses to let these conditions define her. She continues to work and raise her family, while also honoring her body’s limits.

“Autoimmune disease has forced me to slow down, to pay attention, and to prioritize my health,” she reflects. “It’s not the life I expected, but it’s taught me resilience. And if sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth it.”