When Whitney Leavitt stepped onto the Los Angeles stage for Dancing With The Stars Season 34 in fall 2024, viewers saw a radiant, energized new mom. What they didn’t see was the invisible battle she’d fought for years — and the medical diagnosis that finally explained why her body wouldn’t cooperate. After giving birth to her third child in early 2024, Leavitt, a star of Hulu’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, didn’t just struggle to shed baby weight. She felt exhausted, sluggish, and defeated — despite eating right and working out. The twist? Her thyroid wasn’t working at all.
The Hidden Culprit: Undiagnosed Hypothyroidism
Leavitt’s weight loss journey began long before DWTS. After her first child in 2019, then her second in 2021, she noticed the scale wouldn’t budge — no matter how hard she tried. She joined WeightWatchers, tracked macros, logged workouts, even cut out sugar. But progress stalled. "I felt like I was doing everything right," she told DXB News Network on November 19, 2024. "Then I realized something was broken inside."
Turns out, it was. Hypothyroidism — a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones to regulate metabolism — affects roughly 5% of U.S. adults over 12, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Women are five to eight times more likely to develop it than men. With an estimated 20 million Americans living with thyroid disease, per the American Thyroid Association, Leavitt’s experience isn’t rare — it’s routine for far too many.
From Frustration to Transformation: The Ozempic Turning Point
After blood tests confirmed her diagnosis, Leavitt’s doctor recommended Ozempic (semaglutide), a medication originally approved for type 2 diabetes but increasingly used off-label for weight management. It’s not magic. It’s not a quick fix. It’s a tool — one that helps regulate appetite and slow digestion. Within weeks, she lost 10 pounds. By the time rehearsals for DWTS began, she’d shed about 20 pounds total.
"It wasn’t just the weight," she said in a November 18 YouTube video titled Whitney Leavitt Weight Loss Journey Explained. "It was the energy. I could wake up without needing three cups of coffee. I could dance for six hours straight and not feel like I’d run a marathon."
Her husband, Conner Leavitt, a Utah-based entrepreneur, stood by her through every doctor’s visit and every late-night craving. "He never made me feel like I was failing," she recalled. "He just said, ‘Let’s figure this out.’"
Why This Matters Beyond the Spotlight
Leavitt’s story resonates because it shatters the myth that weight loss is simply about willpower. For years, women with hypothyroidism have been told to "just eat less and move more" — as if their metabolism were a broken faucet they could turn back on with discipline. But thyroid disorders are biological, not behavioral. And they’re often missed — especially after pregnancy, when fatigue and weight gain are dismissed as "normal."
Endocrinologists say Leavitt’s case is textbook. "Many women come to us after years of failed diets," said Dr. Lena Ruiz, an endocrinologist in Salt Lake City. "They’ve been blamed for their bodies when the real issue is hormonal. Ozempic isn’t the answer for everyone — but for someone with confirmed hypothyroidism who’s still struggling, it can be life-changing."
Leavitt’s appearance on DWTS — just one year postpartum — became a quiet revolution. Viewers didn’t know she was managing a chronic condition. They just saw a woman moving with grace, power, and joy. When she was eliminated in November 2024, the outpouring of support wasn’t just about dancing. It was about visibility.
The Ripple Effect: Raising Awareness for Thyroid Health
Since her revelations, Leavitt’s social media DMs have flooded with messages from women saying, "I thought it was just me." One woman wrote: "I’ve been on WeightWatchers for 18 months. My doctor said I’m ‘not trying hard enough.’ I just found out I have Hashimoto’s. Thank you for speaking up."
Her journey underscores a critical gap in women’s healthcare: routine thyroid screening after childbirth is not standard. The American Thyroid Association recommends testing for women with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, or depression — especially postpartum — yet many primary care providers still overlook it.
"We need to stop treating weight as a moral issue," Leavitt said in a recent interview. "It’s physiology. And when you understand that, you stop blaming yourself."
What’s Next?
Leavitt has not announced plans for further weight loss goals or additional medical treatments. She’s focused on family, her reality show, and advocacy. Her story is far from over — but its impact already is.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common is hypothyroidism in women after childbirth?
Postpartum thyroiditis affects about 5% to 10% of women within a year of giving birth, according to the American Thyroid Association. Many cases go undiagnosed because symptoms like fatigue and weight gain are mistaken for normal postpartum adjustments. Women with a history of autoimmune conditions or thyroid disorders in their family are at higher risk.
Why did WeightWatchers fail for Whitney Leavitt?
WeightWatchers works well for people with normal metabolic function, but hypothyroidism slows metabolism significantly — sometimes by 30% to 40%. Even with strict diet and exercise, the body burns fewer calories at rest. Without addressing the underlying hormonal imbalance, weight loss becomes nearly impossible, regardless of effort.
Is Ozempic safe for weight loss in people without diabetes?
Yes — under medical supervision. While Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, its weight-loss benefits led to the approval of Wegovy (same active ingredient, higher dose) for obesity in 2021. Off-label use for weight management is common, but requires careful monitoring for side effects like nausea, vomiting, or gallbladder issues. It’s not a substitute for addressing root causes like thyroid dysfunction.
What other treatments exist for hypothyroidism besides medication?
The primary treatment is synthetic thyroid hormone replacement, typically levothyroxine. Ozempic isn’t used to treat hypothyroidism itself — it helps with weight loss *after* thyroid levels are stabilized. Lifestyle changes like reducing inflammation, managing stress, and ensuring adequate iodine and selenium intake can support thyroid health, but they don’t replace hormone replacement therapy.
How did Whitney Leavitt manage to dance on DWTS so soon after having a baby?
Once her thyroid levels were normalized with medication and she began losing weight, her energy improved dramatically. Combined with a structured training schedule and support from her dance partner and team, she was able to meet the physical demands of daily rehearsals — something nearly impossible when her metabolism was suppressed. Her success highlights how treating underlying medical conditions can unlock physical potential.
What’s the connection between thyroid health and mental well-being?
Low thyroid function is strongly linked to depression, brain fog, and anxiety — symptoms often misattributed to stress or postpartum blues. Leavitt described feeling "emotionally drained" before her diagnosis. Once treated, she reported improved mood and confidence. Studies show up to 60% of hypothyroid patients experience mood disturbances that improve with hormone replacement.
