Former Miss Universe Australia Laura Dundovic has revealed a private, two-decade-long struggle with debilitating health conditions, including the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's. The 39-year-old Sydney model shared her experience in an effort to encourage others to recognize and not ignore their own health warning signs.
For over twenty years, Dundovic experienced relentless fatigue, recurring illnesses, and persistent health problems, despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet. "I always looked healthy, but I was falling apart inside," she told the Daily Mail.
Dundovic's health challenges began at age 16 after contracting glandular fever, from which she never fully recovered. Subsequent investigations led to a diagnosis of haemochromatosis, a hereditary condition where the body absorbs and stores excessive iron. Without treatment, iron overload can lead to organ damage. Dundovic carried two copies of the most severe genetic variant of haemochromatosis, which significantly impacted her energy levels throughout her teenage years and into adulthood.
"There are five different genotypes, and I had a double gene for the worst type," she explained, noting that debilitating exhaustion forced her to manage her energy carefully even while modeling, completing school, and pursuing a psychology degree. "Every time I went to the doctor, they were like, 'This is wrong, and this is wrong, and what's happened here?'"
To manage her iron levels, Dundovic underwent regular venesections. Further medical evaluations revealed serrated polyposis syndrome, a condition that causes multiple polyps in the bowel and increases the risk of colorectal cancer.
Around age 34, after years of persistent fatigue and other unexplained symptoms, Dundovic was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. In this autoimmune disorder, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, compromising its ability to regulate essential bodily functions such as metabolism, energy levels, body temperature, digestion, and heart rate. A common cause of hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), Hashimoto's can lead to symptoms including extreme fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, brain fog, and mood changes.
Dundovic described her fatigue as far beyond normal tiredness, with even extensive sleep failing to provide rest. Pushing herself physically often resulted in mouth ulcers, headaches, and frequent illnesses. The invisible nature of her conditions often led to misunderstandings, with many remarking on how healthy she appeared.
"It's like, 'I'm falling apart inside, but thanks.' You can't measure fatigue," she said. At one point, her compromised immune system led to contracting influenza A and COVID-19 twice in a single year.
While the exact causes of Hashimoto's are not fully understood, genetics, hormonal changes, infections, and stress are considered potential factors. Dundovic believes stress played a significant role, given her tendency towards perfectionism and people-pleasing. She noted developing stress hives despite feeling emotionally capable.
As Hashimoto's is incurable, Dundovic manages her condition with daily medication to replace thyroid hormones and undergoes regular blood tests to ensure her dosage is correct. She emphasizes the importance of monitoring sleep, maintaining a balanced diet focused on whole foods and protein, and engaging in strength training multiple times a week. She also advises against extreme dietary changes that could further stress the body.
Dundovic encourages others to keep copies of their medical results, track bodily changes, seek out supportive healthcare providers, and advocate for further testing when necessary. By sharing her story, she aims to reduce the isolation often felt by those with fluctuating, invisible illnesses and promote open communication about management strategies.