‘I have the same condition as Liam Gallagher, Gigi Hadid and Oprah – my body betrayed me’

Gigi Hadid, Kelly Clarkson, Oprah Winfrey, Liam Gallagher and Sofia Vergara might not sound like they have much in common but the famous faces share a common health condition arising from their thyroids, with Sofia even undergoing surgery to remove her gland after she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 28. Oasis singer Liam has also said his thyroid causes issues with his singing.

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces hormones that regulate many of the body’s functions but it can slowly be destroyed in an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s disease.

With January being Thyroid Awareness Month, one woman has opened up about her debilitating struggles with the condition which has also been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage.

For 26-year-old Dominika Blonska, a former neonatal nurse turned health coach, understanding her thyroid condition was a long and frustrating journey. Three years ago, Dominika was thriving as a fitness coach in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, believing she enjoyed good robust health. But seemingly out of nowhere, her body began sending her alarming signals.

“I felt tired all the time, no matter how much I slept,” Dominika, who now lives in Dubai, recalls. “My mood plummeted, anxiety crept in, and I started losing hair in clumps.

“My once-clear skin broke out, my nails became brittle, and I felt constantly cold. To top it all off, I couldn’t lose weight no matter what I did, and my menstrual cycle became irregular.”

Dominika didn’t know it at the time, but these were classic signs of a thyroid problem and the result of Hashimoto’s disease which was leading to inflammation and reduced hormone production.

It’s a condition that affects one in 20 people in the UK, being 10 times more common in women than in men, yet it’s often overlooked or misunderstood. For Dominika, getting a diagnosis was anything but straightforward.

“I turned to my GP for answers, confident they’d pinpoint the problem,” she says. “After a blood test, I was told everything was ‘within range.’ I suspected my thyroid, but since my thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were technically normal – albeit at the lower end – I was reassured that my thyroid was fine.”

While Hashimoto’s disease is more common in middle-aged women, it can affect anyone at any age. Hashimoto’s disease can also increase the chance of miscarriage in women as it causes the body to produce less thyroid hormone which can make it difficult to get pregnant and cause complications during pregnancy. Devastatingly for Dominika, this is something she has experienced.

“I actually had a miscarriage,” she says. “It was very difficult. The doctors at the time said I’d get more support, but I didn’t.”

Now, Dominika offers support groups for women battling thyroid conditions alone, many of whom have struggled to get an adequate diagnosis. Shockingly, a report by the University of Aberdeen found it takes an average of 4.5 years for thyroid conditions to be diagnosed in the UK.

Standard blood tests often miss critical markers like thyroid antibodies, leaving many patients, like Dominika, feeling unheard and dismissed. Determined to find answers, Dominika took matters into her own hands, splurging £200 on private blood tests in search of a diagnosis.

“I started doing my own research, reading articles, and joining support groups,” she says. “I changed my entire lifestyle. From stress reduction techniques to anti-inflammatory diets, I have seen a huge improvement in those methods alone.

“Finally, I consulted a functional medicine practitioner who ordered comprehensive tests. That’s when I finally received the diagnosis: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.”

Though relieved to have an answer, Dominika initially felt overwhelmed. “Autoimmunity sounded like a life sentence,” she admits. “I had never heard of the condition before. I felt overwhelmed and isolated, like my life had been upended.”

With guidance from her practitioner, Dominika started making lifestyle changes to support her thyroid health. She adjusted her diet, reduced stress, and focused on managing inflammation.

“Once I started learning about Hashimoto’s, everything began to make sense,” she says. “This condition is a slow burn; symptoms creep in over months or years, making it hard to spot until significant damage has been done.”

Over time, she began to feel like herself again and the experience inspired her to use her healthcare background and personal experience to help others. As an online health and fitness coach at DefinebyDom, she now specialises in supporting women with hormonal challenges, including thyroid conditions.

“Managing Hashimoto’s isn’t just about taking a pill,” she explains. “It’s about understanding your body, advocating for comprehensive care, and making sustainable lifestyle changes.”

One of Dominika’s missions is to address the gaps in thyroid care, including treatment. “GPs rarely discuss dietary changes, stress management, or supplements that could support the thyroid and immune system,” she says.

Having worked as a neonatal nurse before the pandemic, Dominika attempted to take control of her symptoms. “I’ve seen so many women finally feel empowered since getting diagnosed,” she shares. “No one should feel as lost and alone as I did.”

For women experiencing unexplained symptoms, her advice is simple. ”Trust your instincts,” she says. “If something feels wrong, push for answers. Ask for a full thyroid panel, including free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies. Educate yourself about your condition and explore alternative opinions if traditional care falls short.

“Hashimoto’s may be a lifelong condition, but it doesn’t have to define you,” Dominika adds. “With the right knowledge and support, you can take back control of your health and live a vibrant, fulfilling life.”

“The first step to healing is believing in your ability to advocate for yourself,” she says. “Everyone deserves to feel strong and supported, no matter their diagnosis.”

Her efforts also extend to spreading awareness about the prevalence of thyroid conditions and the need for better diagnostic protocols. With statistics revealing that one in eight women in the UK will experience a thyroid condition in their lifetime, she says it’s clear that more education and advocacy are needed.