Millions of people in India take thyroid medication every day, yet many continue to experience fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, hair fall, and other symptoms despite having “normal” thyroid test results. According to Indyte, a DPIIT-recognized nutrition clinic, one possible reason is that the underlying cause of thyroid dysfunction may never have been identified.
India has an estimated 42 million people living with thyroid disorders, making them one of the country’s most common health concerns. While Levothyroxine remains the standard treatment for an underactive thyroid, it primarily replaces the missing thyroid hormone and does not address why the thyroid stopped functioning properly.
In many cases, especially among people who receive sufficient iodine, the root cause is Hashimoto’s disease—an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Unfortunately, routine thyroid tests such as TSH and Free T4 measure thyroid function but do not determine whether the condition is autoimmune. Detecting Hashimoto’s typically requires additional antibody tests such as Anti-TPO and, in some cases, Anti-Thyroglobulin (Anti-Tg).
Priyanka Mittal, Founder of Indyte, is an AIIMS-trained Dietitian with professional experience at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. She says that identifying the actual cause of thyroid disease can significantly improve long-term care.
“During my 14 years of clinical practice, I have seen many patients whose thyroid reports appeared normal after medication, yet they continued to struggle with persistent symptoms. In several cases, the missing piece was recognizing that the problem was autoimmune. Once that was identified, a personalised plan combining medical treatment, nutrition, and lifestyle changes helped them feel much better,” she said.
Unlike thyroid medication, which replaces hormones, Hashimoto’s requires a broader management approach. Nutrition, correction of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, gut health, stress management, and regular monitoring may all play important roles alongside prescribed medication. Research also suggests that autoimmune thyroid disorders are often associated with digestive health issues and may occur alongside other autoimmune conditions, making comprehensive evaluation even more important.
Many patients are unaware they have Hashimoto’s because antibody testing is not routinely performed. Since treatment for hypothyroidism often begins with the same medication regardless of the cause, the autoimmune aspect may remain undiagnosed for years. As a result, symptoms such as anxiety, joint pain, digestive issues, or persistent fatigue are sometimes attributed to stress, ageing, or lifestyle instead of ongoing immune activity.
Mittal encourages patients to ask an important question after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism: “Why did my thyroid stop working?” Identifying the answer allows healthcare providers to build a more personalised treatment strategy rather than focusing only on hormone replacement.
Patients may consider discussing Hashimoto’s testing with their doctor if they continue experiencing symptoms despite normal TSH levels, require increasing medication doses over time, have a family history of autoimmune diseases, or experience ongoing digestive issues alongside thyroid problems.
Tests that may help identify Hashimoto’s include Anti-TPO antibodies, Anti-Tg antibodies, a complete thyroid hormone profile (TSH, Free T3, and Free T4), inflammatory markers such as CRP and ESR, vitamin and mineral assessments including Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, iron, selenium, and zinc, and, where appropriate, a thyroid ultrasound.
Indyte recently shared three patient stories illustrating how identifying Hashimoto’s helped improve long-term health outcomes. One young woman experienced anxiety, irregular menstrual cycles, body-wide inflammation, and brain fog before receiving comprehensive nutritional care alongside thyroid treatment. Another patient with hypothyroidism and chronic digestive issues reported improvements in bloating, cholesterol levels, and overall wellbeing after addressing nutritional deficiencies and gut health. A third patient, who had Hashimoto’s along with early signs of diabetes, experienced improvements in blood sugar control, cholesterol, and energy levels after following an anti-inflammatory nutrition plan. These stories are shared with patient consent while protecting individual identities, and outcomes may vary from person to person.
To support greater awareness, Indyte has launched a free Hashimoto’s Checklist that explains the key warning signs, recommended tests, and healthy test ranges patients can discuss with their healthcare providers. The clinic is also offering a complimentary 15-minute thyroid nutrition consultation until the end of August 2026 for individuals who suspect they may have undiagnosed Hashimoto’s disease.
Founded by AIIMS-trained Dietitian Priyanka Mittal, Indyte (Pravi Indyte Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.) is a nutrition clinic recognised by the Government of India under DPIIT. Backed by a team of 15 specialists, the clinic has supported more than 12,000 clients across 48 countries through personalised nutrition and lifestyle programmes. Additional patient stories and educational resources are available at indyte.com/case-studies.
Media Contact
Dietitian Priyanka Mittal
Founder, Indyte
Email: dt.priyanka@indyte.com
Phone: +91 97792 17001
Website: indyte.com
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