Beyond the Diagnosis

Fatigue. Brain fog. Digestive issues. Anxiety. Joint pain. Weight changes. You’ve been told it’s “just stress” or “your labs look fine,” but you don’t feel fine. Something’s off—and you know it.

Whether you’ve been officially diagnosed with an autoimmune condition or you’re stuck in the frustrating gray zone of “your tests are normal,” your body is sending you signals. And they matter.

Autoimmune disease happens when the immune system starts attacking the body’s own tissues. It’s not just about one organ—it’s about the whole system being out of balance. That’s why acupuncture and functional medicine are so powerful: they go beyond symptom management and work to uncover what’s triggering the immune dysfunction in the first place.

Let’s talk about the thyroid—because this is one of the most commonly misunderstood (and under-treated) pieces of autoimmune health.

If you’ve been told you have:

• Hypothyroidism
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Or if you’re on thyroid meds but still feel exhausted, cold, puffy, or foggy...

...you’re not alone. Most thyroid issues—especially Hashimoto’s—start as autoimmune problems. The immune system is attacking the thyroid, gradually wearing it down. But here's the kicker: many doctors don’t test for thyroid antibodies, so you may never even hear the word “autoimmune.”

The standard treatment? Prescribe thyroid hormone replacement (like Synthroid) and send you on your way.
The reality? That doesn’t stop the immune system from attacking your body.

• Fatigue no matter how much you sleep
• Hair thinning or shedding
• Brain fog or forgetfulness
• Constipation
• Weight gain despite eating well
• Anxiety or mood swings
• Irregular periods or fertility struggles

We ask the deeper questions:

• What’s triggering the immune system?
• Is your gut inflamed or leaky?
• Are you reacting to foods or environmental toxins?
• Is chronic stress or poor sleep keeping your body in fight-or-flight mode?
• Are your adrenals or blood sugar out of balance?

We use advanced lab testing to discover and assess antibodies, nutrient levels, inflammation markers, and more—because without the full picture, it’s impossible to truly support healing.

Acupuncture works in tandem by:

• Modulating the immune system (not just suppressing it)
• Reducing inflammation throughout the body
• Improving digestion and circulation
• Calming the nervous system, which directly impacts immune regulation

Living with autoimmunity doesn’t have to mean living with constant flares, fog, or fatigue. The goal isn’t just to suppress the immune system—it’s to rebalance it.

That means:

• Calming chronic inflammation
• Healing the gut (where over 70% of the immune system lives)
• Reducing triggers like stress, toxins, and hidden infections
• Supporting nutrient absorption and mitochondrial function
• Helping your thyroid and other systems work with your body, not against it

Join the community of men and women at Pivotal who’ve stopped guessing, started healing, and taken ownership of their health.