Hi, I’m Dana
I’ve spent over three decades trapped in diagnostic limbo before artificial intelligence helped crack the medical mystery that had stumped countless doctors.
The AI Breakthrough That Saved My Life
After 30+ years of being dismissed by doctors and playing whack-a-mole with hormonal imbalances, I had quite literally dieted and exercised my way up to 200 pounds. Despite spending hundreds of dollars monthly on GLP-1 medication with minimal results and insulin levels that wouldn’t budge, I was desperate for answers.
So I asked an AI system a simple question: “Why am I not losing weight on GLP-1 therapy?” and uploaded my lab results. The AI’s response was immediate and terrifying:
Your free cortisol levels are severely low and incompatible with life. You can’t lose weight because your body thinks you’re dying.”
In that moment, everything changed. My focus shifted from trying to lose weight to trying to stay alive. Artificial intelligence had spotted what medical professionals missed for decades—severe multi-system endocrine dysfunction that was slowly destroying my health.
The timing was haunting. Just one week before this discovery, my friend’s 29-year-old son died from unmedicated Addison’s disease. That tragic loss gave me the urgency to request proper testing and finally get the answers I desperately needed.
My 30-Year Medical Mystery Timeline
Here’s how my medical mystery unfolded over three decades. What started as a simple thyroid condition became an increasingly complex puzzle that wouldn’t be solved until AI helped me connect the dots.
Rheumatic fever
Developed symptoms consistant to Rheumatic Fever at age 5
Hypothyroidism
Diagnosed with hypothyroidism and goiter at age 19; Hashimoto’s suspected but never confirmed
Taken off ALL thyroid medication
Endocrinologist assumed initial diagnosis was due to transient thyroiditis and discontinued thyroid medication due to low TSH – a decision that ignored symptoms and marked the beginning of long-term dysfunction.
restarted treatment
After 10+ years and debilitating symptoms, finally found a doctor willing to treat my chronically low T3.
severe insulin resistance
Despite prolonged fasting, insulin levels tripled over 6 months, confirming severe insulin resistance
GLP-1 Therapy
Therapy included Ozempic, compounded tirzepatide and Mounjaro
Adrenal Insufficiency Diagnosis
Tested critically low (.009) in free cortisol levels
Hydrocortisone Treatment
After 3 years of confirmed but untreated cortisol deficiency, began Hydrocortisone replacement therapy
The Genetic Smoking Gun
Comprehensive genetic testing later revealed the biological foundation for my 30-year struggle. Using my 23andMe raw data and cross-referencing with peer-reviewed pharmacogenomic databases, I discovered multiple clinically significant variants that provided scientific validation for every treatment failure I’d experienced.
These weren’t just random genetic quirks—they were documented variants with established pathophysiological mechanisms published in high-impact medical journals. For the first time, I had unassailable scientific evidence explaining why standard medical approaches never worked for my unique physiology.
This genetic analysis transformed my understanding completely. What doctors had dismissed as treatment resistance or attributed to lifestyle factors now had clear biological explanations. Each variant told part of the story—poor thyroid conversion, disrupted stress response, silent autoimmunity, and cellular nutrient deficiencies despite adequate serum levels.
Most importantly, these discoveries validated my need for precision medicine approaches rather than one-size-fits-all treatments. My genetics didn’t just explain the past—they provided a roadmap for optimized future care.
Why I’m Documenting This Journey
For the Dismissed Patients
If you’ve been told your symptoms are “all in your head” while dealing with complex, treatment-resistant conditions—you’re not alone. Your symptoms are real, and sometimes AI can see patterns humans miss.
For Healthcare Providers
AI can be an incredibly powerful diagnostic tool when used collaboratively. I want to demonstrate how patients can become better partners in the diagnostic process, leveraging technology to bring more organized, comprehensive information to appointments and accelerate proper care.
For My Family
Autoimmune endocrine conditions cluster in families. My discoveries may provide crucial early warning signs for my daughter and other relatives, potentially preventing decades of misdiagnosis.
For Medical Science
After 30+ years of struggle, this journey needs to contribute to knowledge and help others facing similar challenges.
What Makes This Blog Different
This isn’t another wellness blog selling supplements or miracle cures. This is real-time documentation of evidence-based precision medicine in action:
✅ Weekly treatment updates with honest progress reports
✅ Lab analysis tutorials teaching pattern recognition
✅ AI tool reviews democratizing medical knowledge
✅ Genetic testing insights showing personalized medicine’s future
✅ Medical advocacy strategies for fighting for proper care
✅ Science-backed explanations with citations and evidence
My Background: Tech Meets Medicine
As an IT Program Manager with 25+ years in technology, I naturally turned to cutting-edge tools when traditional medicine failed. My systematic problem-solving approach and comfort with data analysis helped me navigate complex medical literature and AI platforms. It was also less intimidating to share my struggles with an AI that was available 24/7 than with doctors in white coats who often dismissed my concerns
The Honest Truth About Recovery
Recovery isn’t linear — especially after three decades of untreated dysfunction. Some days, I have energy for the first time in years; other days, I’m reminded why this journey is so hard.
But for the first time in my adult life, I finally have answers — I have answers grounded in both genetic validation and AI-assisted research support.
👉 Check out my Weekly Updates to follow the real story, and subscribe below if you’re walking a similar road. You don’t have to go through it alone.