From Misdiagnosis to Healing: Jack’s Journey Through Fibromyalgia, Hypothyroidism, and Chronic Stress

Chronic symptoms have a way of piling up slowly until one day they take over. Pain, fatigue, and anxiety often don’t come with a clear label, making real answers hard to find. But sometimes the turning point starts with looking deeper rather than harder.

Table of Contents:

1. The Root Causes Behind the Symptoms

2. Fibromyalgia Isn’t the Full Story 

3. Steps Toward Healing

   • Elimination Nutrition Protocol

   • Targeted Supplementation

   • Adrenal and Cortisol Support

   • Mind-Body Interventions

   • Anti-Inflammatory, Mediterranean-Inspired Eating

About me

I am Adriano dos Santos, MSc, rNutr, IFMCP, MBOG, RSM, a Functional Registered Nutritionist, Sleep Medicine & Microbiome Researcher and Educator.

Introduction

When Jack, a 36-year-old father of two, came to me for help, he was physically and emotionally drained. Sleepless nights, constant fatigue, persistent bloating, muscle and joint pain, and a sense of cognitive fog were ruling his life. After an initial fibromyalgia diagnosis from his GP, Jack was prescribed antidepressants and pain-relief medication that left him groggy and gaining weight, providing only partial symptom relief but not addressing the full complexity of his condition.

The Root Causes Behind the Symptoms

Unlike traditional symptom-based approaches, I guided Jack through a root-cause analysis. What we uncovered was more than just fibromyalgia. Specialty testing revealed three critical but overlooked contributors:

• Undiagnosed Hypothyroidism: Jack showed hallmark symptoms of hypothyroidism, including fatigue, muscle stiffness, memory issues, and low mood. These were previously attributed to fibromyalgia but were, in fact, classic signs of thyroid dysfunction (Nuguru S. et al., 2022).

• Cortisol Dysregulation and Adrenal Imbalance: Cortisol testing showed nighttime spikes, a known driver of disrupted sleep, anxiety, and mood swings (Knezevic E. et al., 2023).

Cortisol

• Gut Lining Inflammatory Biomarkers and Nutrient Deficiencies: Jack’s daily protein smoothies, intended to support his new health plan, were actually worsening his symptoms. Gut lining inflammatory biomarkers were on the high end, causing him to be sensitive to food, including an ingredient in the smoothie he drank every morning (Knezevic E. et al., 2023). He was also deficient in Omega-3, magnesium, and other key micronutrients. While this wasn’t the sole cause of his symptoms, addressing it became a key piece of his overall recovery plan.

Fibromyalgia Isn’t the Full Story 

Jack's original diagnosis wasn’t entirely wrong. Fibromyalgia was part of his picture, but like many patients, his condition was misunderstood and undertreated. Fibromyalgia is a multifactorial syndrome with complex underlying mechanisms involving neurological, immune, and metabolic factors. It often overlaps with other disorders like hypothyroidism (Filipovic T. et al., 2025). Rather than rejecting the diagnosis, we explored additional contributing factors that could help explain why standard treatments hadn’t provided sufficient relief.

Steps Toward Healing

Here’s what I recommended for Jack, using a functional, systems-based approach grounded in the latest research and tailored to his body:

1. Elimination Nutrition Protocol

We removed inflammatory foods, including all known allergens and his reactive protein smoothie ingredients. While this step did not resolve his symptoms entirely, it contributed to a noticeable reduction in bloating, pain, and anxiety within days as part of a broader, individualized plan.

2. Targeted Supplementation

We repleted critical deficiencies with third-party-tested supplements:

• Magnesium (for sleep, muscle relaxation, and mood)

• Fish Oil (Omega-3s for inflammation and cognitive clarity)

• Curcumin (a natural anti-inflammatory)

• Holy Basil (to regulate adrenal function and reduce cortisol spikes)

These interventions align with current fibromyalgia treatment models that emphasize mitochondrial health, oxidative stress reduction, and immune modulation (Filipovic T. et al., 2025).

3. Adrenal and Cortisol Support

Herbs like Holy Basil and lifestyle changes targeted Jack’s HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis dysfunction. Elevated nighttime cortisol, a marker of chronic stress, has been directly linked to disrupted sleep, depression, and immune dysregulation (Knezevic E. et al., 2023).

4. Mind-Body Interventions

I encouraged Jack to attend Mind Body Wellness meditation classes. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork can modulate the HPA axis, lower cortisol, and promote relaxation, all essential for fibromyalgia and anxiety management (Knezevic E. et al., 2023; Dominguez L. et al., 2021).

5. Anti-Inflammatory, Mediterranean-Inspired Eating

To sustain Jack’s recovery, we introduced a Mediterranean-style diet rich in seasonal vegetables, fish, olive oil, nuts, and whole grains. This diet, known for its high antioxidant and polyphenol content, supports immune balance, brain health, and stress resilience (Dominguez L. et al., 2021). It is also rich in nutrients that directly support thyroid and adrenal function (Nuguru S. et al., 2022).

Conclusion

With the right support and a plan tailored to his needs, Jack gradually started feeling better. His sleep improved, the pain eased, and his anxiety became more manageable. This wasn’t a quick fix or a simple cure, but a steady improvement through addressing multiple factors over time. More than anything, he got his energy back and felt present with his kids in a way he hadn’t for a long time. Jack’s experience is a reminder that meaningful progress often comes from embracing both conventional medical insights and a deeper exploration of contributing lifestyle and physiological factors.

References:

1. Filipovic T., Filipović A., Nikolic D., Gimigliano F., Stevanov J., Hrkovic M., Bosanac I. (2025). Fibromyalgia: Understanding, Diagnosis and Modern Approaches to Treatment. MDPI. Journal of Clinical Medicine. doi: 10.3390/jcm14030955

2. Nuguru S., Rachakonda S., Sripathi S., Khan M., Patel N., Meda R. (2022). Hypothyroidism and Depression: A Narrative Review. Cureus. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28201

3. Knezevic E., Nenic K., Milanovic V., Knezevic N. (2023). The Role of Cortisol in Chronic Stress, Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Psychological Disorders. MDPI. Cells. doi: 10.3390/cells12232726

4. Dominguez L., Di Bella G., Veronese N., Barbagallo M. (2021). Impact of Mediterranean Diet on Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases and Longevity. MDPI. Nutrients. doi: 10.3390/nu13062028