If you’ve found your way here, chances are you’re living in the “in-between.” You know the place. It’s that quiet, nagging space where you don’t feel sick enough to be in a hospital, but you certainly don’t feel well. You’re waking up tired after nine hours of sleep. You’re staring at your computer screen, and the words just won’t click because the brain fog is so thick it feels like walking through waist-deep water. You might be wondering if this is just “getting older” or if you’re just “stressed.”
I want to stop you right there, warrior.
Tammy and I have been exactly where you are. I watched the woman I love slowly lose her spark to a mystery we couldn’t name. We spent years in that “in-between,” guessing, trying random diets, and feeling like we were failing at just living. It wasn’t until we moved from “guessing” to “knowing” through proper testing that we finally found the map out of the woods.
This guide isn’t a clinical manual. It’s a hand-on-your-shoulder from someone who’s been through the battle. We’re going to talk about whether it’s time to stop wondering and start testing for things like Celiac disease, Hashimoto’s, and hypothyroidism.
The Invisible Battle: Recognizing the Symptoms
The hardest part about autoimmune and thyroid issues is that they are often invisible. You look fine on the outside, but inside, your body is fighting a civil war. Because these symptoms come on slowly, we tend to normalize them. We make excuses for our bodies.
But your body is speaking to you. Are you listening to its whispers?
- The Weight of the World (Fatigue): This isn’t just “I stayed up too late” tired. This is a bone-deep exhaustion that no amount of caffeine can fix. It’s feeling like your limbs are made of lead.
- The Clouded Mind (Brain Fog): You lose your keys. You forget the word for “refrigerator.” You feel detached from the conversation happening right in front of you.
- The Digestive Rollercoaster: Bloating that makes you look six months pregnant by 4:00 PM, unexplained bouts of “urgency,” or the opposite, a stubborn sluggishness that leaves you feeling heavy and uncomfortable.
- The Thermostat Glitch: Feeling freezing cold when everyone else is in t-shirts, or perhaps experiencing “internal tremors” and anxiety.
- The Reflection Trap: Noticing your hair is thinning in the shower drain or that your skin has become perpetually dry and “doughy,” no matter how much lotion you use.
If any of these sound like your daily reality, you aren’t “crazy,” and you aren’t “lazy.” You are likely dealing with a physiological hurdle that requires a name.
↑ Explore our Hashimoto’s Journey for more on identifying these signs
Knowledge Is Power: Why a Label Actually Sets You Free
There is a strange fear that comes with getting tested. If the test comes back positive, it means something is “wrong.” It means you have a “disease.”
But here is the truth we discovered in our journey: The label isn’t a life sentence; it’s a liberation.
When Tammy finally got her diagnosis, it was like someone had handed us the key to a door we’d been banging on for years. Suddenly, the fatigue wasn’t her fault. The brain fog wasn’t a character flaw. It was a biological process that we could finally address.
Getting tested moves you from the role of a “victim of circumstance” to a proactive advocate for your own health. It allows us to stop throwing darts in the dark and start aiming for the bullseye.
The Golden Rule: Don’t Put Down the Bread Yet!
This is the most important piece of advice I can give you, and it’s the one most people get wrong. If you suspect you have Celiac disease, do not stop eating gluten before you get tested.
I know, I know. You feel terrible, and you’re 99% sure the sourdough is the culprit. You want relief now. But here’s the technical catch: the most common blood test for Celiac, the tTG-IgA test, looks for the antibodies your body produces in response to gluten. If you stop eating gluten, your body stops producing those antibodies.
If you go gluten-free for a month and then go to the doctor for a test, you might get a “false negative.” You’ll be told you’re fine, even if your small intestine is screaming for help. You have to keep the “enemy” in the system for the scouts to find it.
- The Lesson: Stay on a gluten-containing diet (at least a couple of servings a day) until your blood work and any necessary biopsies are complete. It’s a hard few weeks, but having an accurate diagnosis is worth the temporary discomfort.
↑ Check out our Gluten-Free Guide for when you ARE ready to make the switch
Decoding the Thyroid: Beyond the “Standard” TSH
When it comes to Hashimoto’s or Hypothyroidism, the testing world can be a bit of a minefield. Most doctors will run a test called TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). If it falls within a very wide “normal” range, they’ll tell you everything is fine.
But for many of us, “normal” on a lab report feels like “misery” in real life.
If you feel the symptoms of a slow thyroid but your TSH is “fine,” you need to ask for a Full Thyroid Panel. This includes:
- Free T4 and Free T3: These are the actual hormones your body uses.
- TPO and Tg Antibodies: This is how you catch Hashimoto’s. You can have a “normal” TSH but sky-high antibodies, meaning your immune system is currently attacking your thyroid.
Knowing if your issue is just a “slow thyroid” or an “autoimmune attack” changes everything about how you approach your healing.
The Warrior’s Guide to the Doctor’s Office
Walking into a doctor’s office can feel intimidating. We often feel like we have to “prove” we are sick. I want you to walk in there like the advocate you are. You are the world’s leading expert on how it feels to be you.
1. Bring Your Evidence
Don’t just say “I’m tired.” Say, “I’ve tracked my sleep for 14 days; I average 8 hours a night, yet I have to nap every afternoon at 3:00 PM to function.” Use a journal to track your symptoms for two weeks before your appointment.
2. Use Your “We” Language
Remind your doctor that you are a team. “I’ve been doing some research and I’d like us to rule out Celiac and Hashimoto’s so we can have a clear baseline for my care.”
3. Don’t Take “Normal” for an Answer
If you feel terrible and the tests say you’re “fine,” ask for more specific testing or a referral to a specialist (like an endocrinologist or a gastroenterologist). You are allowed to seek a second opinion.
4. The Wandering Quill Guide
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all these terms and the thought of changing your entire lifestyle, we’ve put together something to make it easier. The Wandering Quill Guide eBook is our heart and soul on paper. It’s designed to take the guesswork out of the transition, providing you with a roadmap that we wish we had when we started. It covers everything from label reading to managing the emotional toll of a diagnosis.
↑ Check out our resources at The Wandering Quill to start your journey with confidence
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Whether the tests come back positive or negative, the act of seeking answers is a victory. It is an act of self-love. It is you saying to your body, “I see you, I hear you, and I am going to take care of you.”
Tammy’s journey wasn’t fixed overnight. It took time, some tears, and a lot of gluten-free recipe experimentation (some of which were… let’s say, interesting!). But today, she is vibrant. She is present. She is the warrior she was always meant to be.
You can get there, too. Whether you’re just starting to track your symptoms or you’re ready to demand that full thyroid panel, know that Martin and Tammy are in your corner. We are cheering for you, we are praying for you, and we are here to share the recipes that make the “new normal” feel like a delicious adventure.
Tried & Tested
We want you to know that everything we share on this blog, from our lifestyle advice to our favorite grain-free breads, comes straight from our own kitchen and our own lives. We have lived the “before” and we are living the “after.” We personally test every recipe and strategy so that we can answer your questions honestly and with the heart of a friend.
Medical Disclaimer: While we share our deeply personal lived experience with Celiac disease and Hashimoto’s, please remember that we are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are advocates and home cooks. The information in this post is for educational and inspirational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical treatment or diet. Do your own research, ask questions, and be the CEO of your own health.
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” : Alan Watts
How are you feeling today, warrior?
Are you struggling with the decision to get tested? Have you had a doctor tell you that you’re “fine” when you know you aren’t? We want to hear your story. Reach out to us through our contact page or leave a comment below. Your voice matters, and your story might be the very thing that helps someone else take their first step toward healing.
Martin & Tammy
