My name is Alice McDonnell, and I’m the founder of Hashimoto’s 411, a patient advocacy group I launched in 2010 after struggling to find clear, supportive answers about my own autoimmune diagnosis. Like many others, I spent years bouncing between doctors, reading conflicting advice, and trying to make sense of labs that were “normal”—even though I felt far from it. Eventually, I realized that the system wasn’t built to empower patients with autoimmune disease—it was built to manage symptoms, not root causes.

 

So I did what so many of us end up doing: I became my own advocate.

 

From One Patient to a Global Community, What began as a small Facebook group to connect with others navigating Hashimoto’s thyroiditis quickly grew into something far bigger. Hashimoto’s 411 has become one of the largest and most trusted patient communities in the world for Autoimmune Thyroid Disease AKA Hashimoto's—The group provides a safe space where sufferers can ask questions, share stories, and find direction in a sea of often contradictory information.

 

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of patients feel less alone and more empowered in their health journeys.⸻

 

The Evolution:

 

Autoimmune 411After more than a decade of advocacy, I saw a clear need for something broader: a place where people facing any autoimmune condition—not just Hashimoto’s—could access streamlined, understandable information and holistic strategies for healing. That’s why I created Autoimmune 411.

 

This platform is a reflection of everything I’ve learned over the past 20+ years:

 

•Root cause investigation matters.    •You are not your diagnosis.    •You deserve to feel better—and you can.

 

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into managing your condition, my goal is to simplify your journey, connect you with reliable resources, and guide you toward the hope and healing that many of us were never told was possible.

 

What I Believe:

•Information is power—but only when it’s accessible.   

 •Functional medicine and evidence-based root-cause care are key tools in healing.   

•Support and community make the road feel less isolating    .

•You know your body better than anyone else.

 

If you’re here, Welcome. You’ve got this—and I’ve got your back. ~ Alice