Hello, I am Dr. Angelic Muhammad, International Psychologist. This blog has been a long time coming. Over the years, I’ve heard it repeatedly: Start a podcast, write a blog, share your voice—people need to hear you. Well, here we are.
I want to begin by sharing a deeply personal story, one that has shaped my life in profound ways: the story of my beautiful thyroid—my butterfly.
This little, powerful gland, nestled at the front of my neck, produces hormones that regulate many vital functions in my body. I call it beautiful because of its resilience, even when it was struggling. My beautiful butterfly nearly killed me.
Unbeknownst to me, her wings were being clipped. She wasn’t functioning as she should—halfway sociable, but far from thriving. As she faltered, my body began to break down. The signs were there, but no one noticed. No one could help. No one even took the time to look closer.
In my 20s, I experienced countless issues—symptoms I never would have connected to my thyroid. Fatigue, weight changes, hair loss, blackouts, body aches, and more—they were all whispers from my butterfly, trying to tell me she was in trouble.
At the time, I didn’t know how to listen to my body’s whispers. The symptoms were dismissed as stress, overwork, or just "being a woman." Doctors brushed me off giving me muscle relaxers, suggesting I was young and healthy—so what could possibly be wrong?
But inside, my body was waging a silent war. My beautiful butterfly—the tiny, delicate thyroid gland—was losing the fight, and with her, so was I. I struggled with energy levels that left me utterly exhausted after simple tasks. My weight fluctuated unpredictably, my hair grew brittle, fell out, and seemed to mock me with its inconsistency. It felt like my life had become a pendulum, swinging wildly out of my control.
All of this was happening while I was raising my son and pursuing my education. Despite the obvious signs, no one connected the dots—not my doctors, my loved ones, or even me.
It wasn’t until much later, after years of searching for answers, that I discovered the truth. My thyroid was struggling because of nodules—small, abnormal growths—that were impeding its function and leading to hypothyroidism, an underactive state that affects nearly every aspect of health.
This tiny gland, this beautiful butterfly so often overlooked, plays a massive role in regulating metabolism, energy, and mental health. Learning this was both a revelation and a relief. Suddenly, the scattered puzzle pieces of my symptoms began to form a picture.
What amazed me most was how much the thyroid is intertwined with mental and emotional well-being. The exhaustion and brain fog weren’t just physical—they affected how I saw myself, how I interacted with the world, and even how I nurtured my relationships. Understanding this connection has transformed how I approach both my own health and the way I help others on their journeys.
Learning this changed everything for me. It wasn’t just about getting treatment; it was about understanding the profound connection between my mind and body. As a psychologist, I had always championed mental and emotional well-being, but this journey taught me how deeply they intertwine with our physical health.
Through this experience, I began to approach life differently. I started listening—not just to my butterfly but to my whole body. I learned to advocate for myself in medical spaces, to ask questions and demand answers. And I learned that healing isn’t just about fixing what's broken; it’s about nurturing what’s still whole.
Now, I see this experience as a gift, one that has made me more empathetic and more determined to help others recognize the signs their bodies are sending. My story is just the beginning of this blog—a space where I hope to share not only my personal journey but also tools, insights, and encouragement for others navigating their own health challenges.
Because here’s the truth: your body is always speaking to you. The question is, are you listening?
Though understanding the importance of my thyroid brought clarity, getting to that point wasn’t easy. My journey to discovering the nodules was filled with frustration, self-doubt, and moments where I felt unheard. But there was also a turning point—one where someone finally listened, and that made all the difference.
In my next post, I’ll share the steps that led to my diagnosis, the obstacles I faced, and how advocacy for myself became my greatest strength. I’ll also discuss the lifestyle changes that have supported my healing and how I’ve embraced this journey, one day at a time.
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