🧠 Your Neurodiversity Affects Your Thyroid Recovery


Hi Beautiful!,


This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 17-23, 2025), and there's something I've noticed in our community that I think deserves more attention.

I ran a poll in our Facebook group a while back asking about whether members were either diagnosed or thought they were on the neurodiversity spectrum.

Amazingly 61% of those responding either have a diagnosis or suspect they might have ADHD, autism, or both.

That's not a coincidence, and today I want to talk about why.



PLUS - PLEASE VOTE IN THE NEW POLL FURTHER DOWN THE PAGE

The Thyroid-Brain Connection Nobody's Talking About

There are proven genetic links between hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's and neurodiversity. The science hasn't fully unraveled exactly what's happening, but the connection is real.

And if you're living with both? I see you, because I'm right there with you.

As someone diagnosed with ADHD who also struggles with hypothyroidism, I know first hand how these conditions can create a perfect storm:

  • 😟 Executive function challenges make it harder to stay on top of medication, doctor appointments, and self-care routines
  • 😟 The exhaustion from hypothyroidism compounds the everyday struggles of navigating a neurotypical world
  • 😟 The constant masking and adapting creates overwhelm and chronic stress that may actually contribute to thyroid dysfunction

When Your Brain and Thyroid Are Both Working Against You

Here's what I believe (and have experienced myself):


Years of trying to function in a world that isn't designed for neurodivergent brains creates tremendous stress.

That stress—especially when undiagnosed and untreated for decades—can dysregulate our nervous systems and potentially contribute to thyroid burnout.

Think about it...

😞 How many years did you push yourself to fit into educational systems, work environments, and social situations that drained you completely?

😞 How many times were you told to "just try harder" when your brain and body were already giving everything they had?

That cumulative stress and overwhelm isn't just psychological—it's physiological.

And your thyroid feels it.

The HypoThrive 3XT Thyroid Recovery Method

This is why I always emphasize addressing all three pillars of hypothyroid healing:

  1. Thyroid Supporting Food - Nourishing your body appropriately
  2. Treatment Optimization - Getting the right treatment at the right dose
  3. Taming Stress & Trauma Triggers - Addressing the nervous system dysregulation that may have triggered or worsened your condition

SUPER IMPORTANT 🔻
For neurodivergent folks, that third pillar takes on special significance. The chronic stress of navigating a neurotypical world with a neurodivergent brain creates real physiological impacts.

Key Takeaways & Action Steps

If this resonates with you, here are some gentle steps forward:

❤️
Honor your neurodivergence
as part of your healing journey. It's not separate from your thyroid health—it's interconnected.

❤️
Build systems that work WITH your brain
, not against it.
If remembering medication is hard, try linking it to an existing habit or using visual reminders.

❤️
Reduce unnecessary stress
by adjusting expectations and environments where possible. This might mean asking for accommodations or simplifying your routines.

❤️
Explain to your Doctor how your neurodivergence may affect things so they can work in a joined up way in regards to your thyroid treatment. If you have a diagnosis you can ask for accomodations.

IMPORTANT
Connect with others who understand both journeys
.

Finding your people reduces the isolation that often comes with both conditions.


If you arent already in our friendly Facebook group please join us here.
FREE Facebook Hypothyroid & Hashimotos Support Community.

PLEASE VOTE IN OUR NEW POLL BELOW

I’d love to hear from you. —The more insights we have into what our community needs the better.

After you vote you will be able to see the results.

I'd love to know if this speaks to your experience. Did you suspect there might be a connection between your neurodivergence and thyroid condition?

Has addressing one helped with the other?

Reply to this email and share your thoughts. Sometimes just knowing you're not alone in these parallel journeys can be the most healing thing of all.

Taking care of a neurodivergent brain and a struggling thyroid is double the work—but understanding how they influence each other might be a missing piece in your healing puzzle.

With love,

P.S. Want to learn more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week? Check out their website here for resources and information.

$5.00

Support My Work — One Brew at a Time!

If you enjoy my thyroid tips, and fancy showing a little love, buying me a coffee (and maybe a slice of gluten-free... Read more


Join the my free group to share ideas with others who understand.
FREE Facebook Hypothyroid & Hashimotos Support Community.


PLEASE NOTE - I am NOT a Doctor or Medical Professional of any kind.
The content on this website is strictly for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician.
All recipients of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions


This email may contain affiliate links. This means I make a small commission from any sale at no cost to you. This allows me to be able to give you discounts on products and also supports my work and mission.
I only recommend products I use and love.

HypoThrive With Helen

Join 3000+ Hashimoto's & Hypothyroid Warriors learning to live again with topics including eating for thyroid health, medication optimisation, weight loss with hypothyroidism, getting support from your doctor and lots lots more ...

Read more from HypoThrive With Helen

Hi Beautiful! You know what really lights a fire under me? When people are told there's nothing they can do about their autoimmune thyroid condition, Hashimoto's “Just take the tablets,” they’re told. “Diet won’t make a difference. Just accept it” I’ve been saying for years that this simply isn’t true—and now, I’ve got some solid research to back it up. 👉 A new study looked at how ancestral or ‘paleo / primal-style’ diets impact autoimmune thyroid disease… and the results were pretty amazing....

Hi Beautiful! As I was out earlier, I noticed the first daffodils and crocuses starting to peek through the soil. The air was mild, the sky was clear, and for the first time in months, it felt like winter was finally loosening its grip. For those of us with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, this shift in seasons can feel like a real turning point. Winter can be especially tough when your thyroid isn’t functioning optimally. Low thyroid levels can make it incredibly hard to stay warm, and for...

video preview

Hi, I saw something in another thyroid support group today that broke my heart. A woman shared how she'd been following one of those big brand weight loss memberships religiously - tracking every point, attending every meeting, doing EVERYTHING right... And when she went for her weigh-in? She'd gained weight. The comments were filled with similar stories. Women blaming themselves, feeling like failures, wondering what they were doing wrong. So I need to tell you something important: It's not...