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
Rheumatic fever
Developed first autoimmune condition at age 5
Hypothyroidism
Diagnosed with Hypothyroidism with goiter at age 19, my 2nd autoimmune condition
Taken off ALL thyroid medication
Endocronoligist determined I no longer needed thyroid medication
restarted treatment
After 10+ years and debilitating symptoms was restarted on treatment
severe insulin resistance
After persistent fasting failed to result in weight loss, Insulin levels TRIPLED in 6 mts
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 severely low cortisol levels, finally started Hydrocortisone treatment
The Genetic Smoking Gun
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 show how patients can leverage these technologies to enhance communication 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.
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. 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 are better than others. But for the first time in my adult life, I have answers backed by both AI insights and genetic validation.