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From weight gain to fatigue, thyroid issues can be a real challenge to deal with. But you're not alone - many celebrities have faced their own struggles with thyroid problems as well. From singers and actors to athletes and comedians to politicians, a large number of celebs have come out to share their battles with thyroid disease. By reading their stories, you'll know that you are not alone in dealing with this condition. Everyone should feel empowered to take control of their health, so let's find out what these famous figures have to say about managing their thyroids!
Thyroid disease is a common health condition that affects the thyroid, an important gland that regulates your metabolism and keeps many of your bodily's functions working properly. A normal thyroid function release two main hormones, including T4 and T3.
There are two main types of thyroid disease - hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) occurs when the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, while hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) happens when too much hormone is produced. Both can cause various symptoms, like weight gain or loss, fatigue, dry skin and hair, increased sensitivity to cold temperatures, or an irregular heartbeat. Having thyroid problems can increase your risk of heart, digestive, and kidney diseases, among others. One way to diagnose problems with your thyroid is by getting thyroid blood tests.
Below are some famous figures who have opened up about their battle with thyroid disorders.
Gigi Hadid, one of the most famous models in the world, expressed in 2016 that she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. It's one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism in the US, estimated to affect around 1 to 2 percent of people.
Also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it's an autoimmune disease that occurs when your antibodies mistakenly attack your thyroid tissue, causing inflammation of your thyroid gland. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue, depression, and dry skin.
While there is no cure for Hashimoto's disease, it can be managed with medications that replace hormones lost by the damaged thyroid. The two most common thyroid hormone replacement medications are levothyroxine (a synthetic thyroid hormone T4) and natural desiccated thyroid or NDT (which contains natural forms of both T4 and T3 hormones).
In her medical records released to the public in July 2015, Hillary Clinton showed that she was being treated for hypothyroidism. The former US Secretary of State and first lady revealed that she used Armour Thyroid, a brand-name of natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), as her treatment.
Derived from pig thyroid glands, NDT offers a more complete range of thyroid hormones compared to levothyroxine. It was the first treatment available for hypothyroidism, so it's been used for decades and has a long history of safety and effectiveness. Today, it's no longer the standard treatment option for hypothyroidism, but it's still the most preferred option by hypothyroid patients. Besides Armour Thyroid, there are many brands of NDT available, including VitaliThy, a natural desiccated thyroid you can buy online.
In an interview with Extra in June 2018, Kelly Clarkson revealed that she struggled with a thyroid disorder and an autoimmune disease, which made her weight unstable.
Talk show legend Wendy Williams has always been open about her battle with an immune system disorder caused by Graves' disease. For the famous celebrity, Graves disease had never stopped her from performing her role as a talk show host. However, she needed to take three weeks away from work in 2018 because her symptoms got worse. This break was her first sick leave in ten seasons.
Graves disease occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid, causing an overproduction of hormones (hyperthyroidism) that can lead to some serious health complications if left untreated. Symptoms vary depending on the individual but can include any combination of weight loss or gain, fatigue, heat intolerance, and difficulty sleeping. In addition to physical symptoms, some people with Graves' disease may also experience psychological effects such as anxiety or depression due to hormonal imbalances caused by the condition.
The Brazilian soccer player Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, better known as Ronaldo, announced his retirement from the sport after dealing with injuries and the effect of his ongoing hypothyroidism.
Sofia Vergara, star of the hit show "Modern Family," received a shocking diagnosis in 2000 when she got diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the young age of 28. The diagnosis came out of nowhere during an endocrinologist appointment for her son, and she reported that she felt no symptoms.
Later, she underwent surgery to remove her thyroid gland and some radiation therapy. Following the surgery, Vergara developed hypothyroidism and must now take thyroid hormone replacement medication daily. But this hasn't stopped her from thriving in her career and personal life.
Thyroid cancer is a serious condition affecting millions of people across the globe. It occurs when abnormal cells form in the thyroid gland. It can cause an enlargement of the gland or a lump, both of which may be visible from outside your body. This condition may not cause any symptoms at first, but as it grows, you might experience pain in the neck area, difficulty swallowing, and shortness of breath.
The Golden Globe-winning actress known for her role in "Jane the Virgin," Gina Rodriguez, was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in college at age 19. After further testing almost 10 years later, she learned that Hashimoto's disease was the culprit behind her hypothyroidism. Rodriguez began taking medication to manage her condition but didn't pursue any additional treatment.
Sia
Sia, the Australian singer-songwriter, proclaimed that she had Graves' disease in a tweet in 2010. She later opened up about her health condition in an interview with The Guardian, stating that one of the symptoms she experienced was fatigue.
Like Sia, the hip-hop legend Missy Elliott also struggled with Graves disease. She experienced symptoms like hair loss and claimed that it was like her nervous system "shuts down." To treat her condition, Elliot received radioactive iodine treatment (RAI).
Oprah Winfrey is another media mogul that had talked openly about her thyroid problems. After experiencing fatigue and weight gain, she took an entire month off back in 2007.
She was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism at first, which left her unable to sleep for days. Later, she got diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which made her want to sleep all the time and caused her to gain twenty pounds. She took thyroid medication to help manage the symptoms.
Rod Stewart, one of the most popular rock artists in history, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, specifically papillary thyroid cancer, in 2000. He then underwent thyroid cancer surgery to get the tumor removed from his thyroid gland. Being a singer, the procedure put his singing voice at risk. The first six months after the surgery was difficult for Stewart as he waited for his voice to return to normal. Fortunately, the surgery was successful, and Stewart has continued to enjoy a successful career in music.
The scan was spotted during a routine CT scan. His doctor initially thought it was a benign growth. A biopsy then revealed that it was papillary thyroid cancer, the most common type of thyroid cancer.
Thyroid disorder isn't something to feel embarrassed about. It's an issue that can happen to anyone. Even famous people have faced the same diagnosis and battled through it. In fact, hypothyroidism is one of the most common diseases in the world. And people are taking thyroid hormone replacement therapy like VitaliThy, an NDT supplement, to help them manage their symptoms.
This should be a reminder that you are not alone in dealing with this condition and that you can still live your life to the fullest. Remember that there is always a way to manage your condition. Empower yourself with knowledge - research treatments and find out what works best for you.
At the end of the day, don't forget to stay informed and take care of your health!
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