Graves’ Disease is an autoimmune condition leading to excessive production of thyroid hormones and most commonly affects young or middle aged women, with a familial predisposition. It can also be referred to as hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid.

Common symptoms include weight loss, anxiety and irritability, hyperactivity, feeling tired, sensitivity to heat, profuse sweating, persistent thirst, low libido, muscle weakness and diarrhoea.  Furthermore, Graves’ Disease frequently impacts the eyes, resulting in exophthalmos, which presents as protruding eyeballs.

My journey to becoming a Nutritional Therapist began back in 2016 when I was diagnosed with the autoimmune condition, Graves Disease.

Confused about what that meant for me and feeling powerless about the future of my health, and whilst under medical supervision, I started delving further into research.  I read everything I could about how I could reduce and manage my symptoms and quickly uncovered that nutrition and lifestyle changes were key.  Ever since then I have been obsessed with the power of food and lifestyle.

I retrained as a Nutritional and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner and graduated from the Institute of Optimum Nutrition in 2020.  Since then I have been running a successful clinic, supporting clients to get control of their health.

Having worked on my own nutrition to support the management of my symptoms, I became driven to share my knowledge with others.  My passion is to help them find wellness too, with a focus on helping people to get back to feeling themselves.

How I work

Similar to many autoimmune conditions, a diagnosis of Grave’s Disease can be daunting and difficult to navigate. Sara Handford Nutrition, guided by a functional medicine approach, aims to provide you with clear guidance, comfort, and a long-term nutrition and lifestyle strategy to assist you in your path towards achieving optimal health.

Empowering yourself with knowledge about nutrition and lifestyle’s influence on Graves’ Disease is a significant step towards managing your health effectively. Remember that everyone’s body responds differently, by collaborating with a healthcare professional and making informed choices, you can take control of your well-being and lead a fulfilling life.

If you are interested in learning more about how Sara Handford Nutrition can help you, please make contact today.

Your health journey matters to me!