How a Simple Boob Job Led to a Hashimoto's Diagnosis

Getting a boob job was something I’d wanted for a while. Being flatchested my entire life, with tuberous breasts as a cherry on top, I was excited, a little nervous, and mostly just looking forward to finally doing something for myself. I booked the consultation, scheduled the surgery, and started the usual pre-op process.

As part of the standard tests, you're told to do complete blood work, visit a cardiologist, do an X-ray of your lungs, etc. On top of that, you're supposed to test your thyroid hormones. I wasn’t expecting anything unusual. I felt okay—maybe a little more tired than usual, constipated, late period, stressed.

When my TSH level came back at 9.5, with fT3 and fT4 still in the normal range, it was a cause for concern for my surgeon and anesthesiologist.

Routine Blood Tests Gave Me My First Clue

I've had bloating and fatigue for years, but didn't think much of it. At first, the bloating was mainly associated with gluten sensitivity, but a few years back, Zonulin levels revealed leaky gut syndrome. Fast forward to 2025, problems persisted and got even worse. 

Routine blood work for a breast augmentation included:

• Complete Blood Count
• Electrolytes
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
• Thyroid hormones
• Coagulation Studies
• Glucose

Everything was excellent except for my TSH levels. Since my TSH was high, I needed the go-ahead for the procedure from an endocrinologist since my other thyroid numbers were still normal.

I didn’t have a Hashimoto's diagnosis yet, and I honestly didn’t feel that different. But after talking with my doctor, I started on levothyroxine to bring the TSH down.

At this point, I still didn’t know I had an autoimmune condition. I just thought my thyroid was slightly underactive and that medication would correct it.

Since this was a week before surgery, within a couple of weeks, I didn't notice any changes since I was recovering.

The Hashimoto's Diagnosis Came After a Deeper Test

A month after starting thyroid medication, and 3 weeks after the surgery, my doctor recommended checking my anti-TPO antibodies and getting an ultrasound of my thyroid. It wasn’t part of the original pre-op testing, but it was the missing piece. That test came back positive, which confirmed that I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

Random symptoms I’d brushed off over the years—fatigue, cold hands and feet, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, chronic constipation. I hadn’t connected the dots before because none of it felt serious on its own. The missing piece: chronic stress. 

2 weeks before my surgery, I had to quit my job after having my intelligence insulted for months, to which I've remained silent until finally exploding. Paired with a gluten intolerance that's been lasting for years, this was probably the trigger that started the antibody production.

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder, meaning your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This slow, steady attack can cause the thyroid to underperform over time. That explains why many people don’t realize they have it right away—it creeps in gradually, and the symptoms can be easy to overlook.

Getting a Hashimoto's diagnosis through unrelated bloodwork turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

If it hadn’t been for the surgery prep, I probably wouldn’t have tested my thyroid for a long time. I wasn’t actively looking for answers because I didn’t know there were questions to ask. That’s the tricky thing about Hashimoto’s—symptoms often show up slowly and quietly, so unless you’re checking your levels, it can fly under the radar for years.

Going Into Surgery with Elevated TSH Levels

When I found out I had TSH double the upper limit, it was 7 days before my scheduled surgery. My surgeon didn't want to go through with it without approval from my endocrinologist and 2 anesthesiologists.

Of course, I went down the rabbit hole that is online search to see why. Turns out, elevated TSH levels increase the likelihood of mortality. And, since it was elective breast augmentation, they could decide not to go through with it until my TSH had gotten back to normal.

My endocrinologist said there would be no contraindications with surgery since my general health was otherwise okay. But, this really spooked me, and I didn't go into surgery as confidently. 

From my personal experience, you can have a breast augmentation with elevated TSH but only at your own risk - even if there's less than 1% chance for complications. 

Moral of the story? Even though my surgeon gave me a time frame of getting all the tests 10 days before surgery, I should've done them when I scheduled the surgery 2 months in advance. Don't wait around to get your bloodwork done. 

Life with a Hashimoto's Diagnosis

Now that I know what’s going on, managing Hashimoto’s is part of my daily routine. I take my thyroid medication first thing in the morning, wait 30 minutes before eating, and stay on top of regular bloodwork. It’s not a major disruption, but it does require some consistency and awareness.

The diet, however, completely different thing.

Since starting treatment, I’ve noticed a real improvement in my energy and overall focus. The changes weren’t overnight, but they’ve added up. I don’t need as much coffee to function in the morning, and I’m not crashing by 3 PM like I used to. I feel more like myself—and that alone has been worth it.

Everyone’s experience is a little different, but for me, getting diagnosed early helped me avoid more serious symptoms and start managing it before it got worse.

The Takeaway? Don't Ignore the Small Stuff

The boob job happened—and I’m happy I went through with it. But the biggest thing I gained from the process wasn’t physical. That routine pre-op bloodwork ended up leading me to a Hashimoto's diagnosis that changed how I take care of myself.

If you're going in for any kind of surgery or health check, pay attention to your results—even if you feel fine. Sometimes your body is trying to flag something you wouldn’t notice on your own. Getting tested for thyroid function led me to answers that explained years of symptoms I had written off as normal.

A Hashimoto's diagnosis doesn’t mean your life has to drastically change. For me, it just meant getting a little more intentional with my health, especially adopting a thyroid-friendly diet, and making sure my thyroid stays supported. It’s manageable, and in many ways, I’m healthier now than I was before I even knew there was an issue.

Before you even consider major surgery, consider these first: fatigue or just feeling off, constipation, period late, stress, brittle hair, and nails. Your routine bloodwork should consider your thyroid health as well.