![\"The](\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2026\/04\/18\/3865309.jpg\")
The thyroid gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormones that control our metabolism, physical and sexual health. \u2014 Wikimedia Commons<\/p>\nFor\u00a0many people living with chronic illness, medication is only part of the solution.<\/p>\n
Increasingly, doctors are highlighting the role of lifestyle \u2013 from diet and exercise to stress and daily habits \u2013 in managing and even improving long-term health.<\/p>\n
General practitioner Dr Liau Bee Teng, who specialises in functional medicine, emphasises that treatment should go beyond prescriptions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t believe in simply prescribing a pill for patients to take for the rest of their lives. \u201cInstead, we help them understand how their lifestyle choices affect their health,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
In functional medicine, the focus is on identifying the root cause of disease rather than merely treating symptoms.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe aim to support patients before they become unwell,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they are already ill, we go beyond medication by identifying and addressing the underlying causes.\u201dThe thyroid gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormones that control our metabolism, physical and sexual health. \u2014 Wikimedia Commons<\/p>\n
Living with hypothyroidism<\/p>\n
For Najwa Abdul, 33, an entrepreneur in the beauty industry, living with hypothyroidism has been a challenging journey.<\/p>\n
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to meet the body\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n
Although she was only diagnosed in 2024, Najwa had been experiencing symptoms since 2020 but she never consulted a medical\u00a0 practitioner and assumed it was part of stress.<\/p>\n
She struggled with fluctuating weight, fatigue, anxiety, low mood and brain fog-symptoms that gradually took a toll on both her confidence and social life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI work in the beauty industry, so appearance matters. I attend events and meet people regularly,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Before her diagnosis, she often felt uncomfortable in her own skin.<\/p>\n
\u201cI constantly felt bloated. My face looked puffy, dry and dull \u2013 it didn\u2019t feel like me,\u201d Najwa recalls.<\/p>\n
Insensitive remarks from others further affected her confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I go to events, people would say, \u2018You used to be so thin.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a brand owner, I have to represent my business,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I don\u2019t feel well physically, it affects how I present myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Najwa\u2019s turning point came when she consulted a regenerative medicine doctor, who carried out more comprehensive tests, diagnosed her with hypothyroidism and developed a personalised treatment plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I finally understood what was happening in my body, I felt relieved and hopeful,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy doctor reassured me that I was not alone.\u201d![\"Najwa](\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2026\/04\/18\/3865303.JPG\")
Najwa stresses the importance of undergoing a blood test to understand the body\u2019s needs before taking supplements. \u2014 IZZRAFIQ ALIAS\/The Star<\/p>\n
A personalised approach<\/p>\n
While thyroid medication helps manage her condition, Najwa feels it is not enough on its own.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaking medicine is fine, but what if the body doesn\u2019t fully absorb it?\u201d she questions.<\/p>\n
Najwa believes in the traditional Chinese medicine view that blockages in the body are a result of energy stagnation, thus may affect how well the medication is absorbed.<\/p>\n
As a result, her treatment with the regenerative medicine specialist focused on restoring gut health first.<\/p>\n
Her programme began with a three\u2013month plan targeting the gut.<\/p>\n
It started with a short course of deworming medication, followed by antibiotics, before moving on to customised probiotics and prebiotics tailored to her needs.<\/p>\n
The first month focused on clearing the digestive system, while the following months were aimed at restoring gut microbiome balance.<\/p>\n
She also underwent intravenous (IV) high-dose vitamin C and hydrogen drips to boost immunity, reduce inflammation and support nutrient absorption.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlood tests showed my inflammation levels were high, so we needed to address that first,\u201d she shares.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t resolve those issues, supplements won\u2019t be as effective.\u201d<\/p>\n
Slowly, she began to see gradual improvements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe drip helps speed up the process, but eliminating processed and unhealthy foods is the most important step for faster results,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Dr Liau stresses that while such treatments may be used when necessary, lifestyle changes should always come first.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf patients have done everything they can and still do not improve, then we consider additional treatments,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur body has a strong ability to heal if given the right conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Necessary supplementation<\/p>\n
After restoring her gut health, Najwa turned her attention to addressing nutrient deficiencies.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important to do a blood test first to understand what your body needs,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
She emphasises that supplementation should be highly personalised, as individual needs vary.<\/p>\n
Dr Liau echoes this view, stressing that supplements must be tailored and medically supervised.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you know if you need a supplement, or if the dosage is right?\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome supplements are only meant for short\u2013term use, so proper guidance from a medical professional is essential.\u201d<\/p>\n
Based on her blood test results, Najwa takes targeted supplements, including vitamin D, progesterone, omega\u20133, vitamin B and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), to address specific deficiencies.<\/p>\n
According to Dr Liau, vitamin D deficiency is particularly common.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou cannot rely solely on food and sun exposure,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cSun exposure only stimulates the skin to produce a vitamin D precursor \u2013 you cannot use it directly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe body still needs proper sleep for the liver to convert it into an intermediate form, as well as a healthy gut and kidneys to activate it into its usable form.\u201d<\/p>\n
She adds that low levels of essential nutrients, such as vitamin D, can impair the body\u2019s ability to repair and regulate itself.![\"Najwa](\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2026\/04\/18\/3865311.jpg\")
Najwa Abdul\u2019s meals are focused on whole, balanced foods in line with an anti-inflammatory diet. \u2014NAJWA ABDUL<\/p>\n
A diet that works<\/p>\n
Although she wasn\u2019t eating right before, diet now plays a central role in Najwa\u2019s long\u2013term management of hypothyroidism.<\/p>\n
She follows an anti-inflammatory approach, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods.<\/p>\n
\u201cI eat three main meals a day, making sure each one is balanced with carbohydrates, protein, fibre and healthy fats,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Her meals are kept simple and structured.<\/p>\n
For breakfast, she might have a banana with eggs, sometimes adding peanut butter or olive oil for healthy fats.<\/p>\n
Dinner is lighter, typically consisting of protein with smaller portions of carbohydrates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI usually have chicken with a little rice or sweet potato, and a bowl of salad,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
She also pays attention to the order in which she eats.<\/p>\n
\u201cI start with fibre, then protein, and carbohydrates last to help manage blood sugar levels.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Liau explains that this sequence supports digestion and helps prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar.<\/p>\n
\u201cStart with vegetables, then protein, followed by fats.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarbohydrates should come last and in smaller portions,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Chewing, she adds, is equally important.<\/p>\n
\u201cDigestion begins in the mouth. When you chew properly, you break down food into smaller particles and start the digestive process early,\u201d the doctor explains.<\/p>\n
Eating slowly also allows the body\u2019s natural hunger signals to function effectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you eat more slowly, it gives the gut time to signal the brain to release satiety hormones \u2013 the hormones that tell you you\u2019re full,\u201d Dr Liau says.<\/p>\n
Najwa also avoids ultra\u2013processed foods, focusing instead on whole ingredients.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you eat \u2018real\u2019 food consistently, you begin to appreciate natural flavours,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Over time, this shift has helped reduce her cravings for sugary and salty foods.![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/apicms.thestar.com.my\/uploads\/images\/2026\/04\/18\/3865304.jpg\")
Dr Liau emphasises that functional medicine prioritises making lifestyle changes over relying solely on medication. \u2014 Klinik Q<\/p>\n
Managing work and energy levels<\/p>\n
Understanding her body\u2019s rhythms helps Najwa manage both her health and workload.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try to do my most demanding tasks in the morning, when my energy levels are highest,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
She structures her day accordingly, tackling mentally intensive work early on and leaving lighter tasks for later.<\/p>\n
Evenings are reserved for rest and recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cI slow down with relaxing activities to help my body wind down before sleep,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Dr Liau explains that this approach aligns with the body\u2019s natural cortisol rhythm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you don\u2019t get enough rest, your body cannot produce sufficient cortisol to sustain you throughout the day,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is why many people feel tired by midday, especially after lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n
While this routine helps maintain balance, Najwa acknowledges that it is not always easy to follow.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes urgent work comes up, and I have to adjust,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
For Najwa, having a supportive husband makes a significant difference in her recovery.<\/p>\n
Before treatment, she felt weighed down and emotionally heavy, not like her usual self.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were even moments when I wondered if he should leave me because I didn\u2019t feel good enough,\u201d she admits.<\/p>\n
Despite this, her husband stood by her and remains supportive.<\/p>\n
Najwa says: \u201cHe has been there since the beginning.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven as I continue to change physically and emotionally, he is still by my side.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, my husband is my main support system \u2013 and that makes a huge difference in helping me cope.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For\u00a0many people living with chronic illness, medication is only part of the solution. Increasingly, doctors are highlighting the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":620335,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[49,48,9242,84,19582,377,3654],"class_list":{"0":"post-620334","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-medication","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-functional-medicine","11":"tag-health","12":"tag-hypothyroidism","13":"tag-medication","14":"tag-vitamin-d"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/620334","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=620334"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/620334\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/620335"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=620334"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=620334"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=620334"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}