Hip-Hop Music star Missy Elliott is one of many celebrities to suffer from thyroid disease, a condition that causes the thyroid gland to malfunction. The award-winning rap singer opened up about her recent diagnosis for Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that impairs the neurological system and causes hyperthyroidism.
Graves’ Disease: It’s a Thyroid Thing
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:
- Anxiety
- Inattentiveness
- Visual disturbances
- Bulging eyeballs
- Tearing
- Low energy
- Overactive bowel
- Increased appetite
- Weight fluctuations
- Sensitivity to heat
- Excess perspiring
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Loss of muscular strength
- Hypertension
Fifteen celebrities who also battle with thyroid disorders
Grammy award-winning Missy Elliott had the shock of her life recently; while driving, her leg wouldn’t respond as she attempted to step on the brake pedal. She almost had a car accident. A recent diagnosis indicated Graves’ disease, a condition that impairs neurological functioning. She says, “I couldn’t write because my nervous system was so bad — I couldn’t even use a pen.”
Oprah Winfrey, the talk show legend who recently called it quits, admitted in 2007 that her weight gain of 20 pounds was a result of having thyroid disease.
Jillian Michaels, former fitness trainer of The Biggest Loser, keeps her thyroid and weight problems in check by exercising daily and eating a low-fat diet.
Weeds’ Mary-Louise Parker doesn’t let an underactive thyroid get in the way of her movie star fame.
Sex & the City siren Kim Cattrall revealed that she suffers from Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland.
Katee Sackhoff, who played Dana Walsh on 24, underwent surgery for her thyroid in 2009. Although the operation was successful, the scars remain. “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through,” she admitted in 2010. “I’m still in therapy trying to get over it.”
Modern Family star Sofia Vergara successfully battled thyroid disorder in 2002. The actress who also recently gave voice to The Smurfs’ character, Odile, told reporters, “I’ve been through it all, so I don’t take life’s little dramas too seriously. I say, don’t sweat the small stuff, because there’s bigger stuff that can really make you sweat.”
Tipper Gore, wife to former vice president Al Gore, underwent surgery to have half of a nodule removed from her thyroid gland.
Kelly Osbourne, daughter of heavy metal giant and reality TV star Ozzy Osbourne, blames her longtime struggle with her weight on a thyroid condition.
Rock star Rod Stewart required surgery when a benign tumor developed on his thyroid gland. Thankfully, the famed musician suffered no damage to his vocal chords.
Catherine Bell, star of the hit TV series Army Wives, is one of many thyroid surgery survivors.
Linda Ronstadt suffers from a lifelong underactive thyroid condition.
Model Kim Alexis claims that diet and exercise have helped her avoid weight gain, a symptom of her hyperthyroidism diagnosis.
Former president George Bush and his wife, Barbara, both suffer from Graves’ disease.
Film critic Roger Ebert gives two thumbs down to living with thyroid disorder, a condition with which he has had his battles.
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