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Rapper Missy Elliott Reveals Graves' Disease Thyroid Diagnosis

missy elliott graves' disease hyperthyroidism rapper hip-hop
Rapper Melissa Arnette Elliott, 39, who is known to hip-hop music fans as Missy Elliott, recently announced that she was diagnosed with Graves' disease in 2008.




Elliott's news became public, due to her discussion of her thyroid condition in a VH1 'Behind the Music' episode featuring the rapper that was first aired on June 29, 2011, as well as an interview she did with the magazine People.




Elliott told People that since her diagnosis, she received radiation treatment -- radioactive iodine (RAI) -- which has helped resolve some of her symptoms, which included bulging eyes, hair loss, rapid heart rate, a lump in her throat, dizziness, and mood changes, among others.




She also said that since the radiation treatment, she gained weight, but was able to lose it with a combination of diet and exercise. In her 'Behind the Music' special, Elliott said: 'I'm 30 pounds lighter because I've been exercising.'






There have been some inaccuracies reported in regards to my diagnosis with Grave's Disease, so I wanted to clear things up. I was diagnosed with Grave's (sic) Disease about three years ago but it really hasn't slowed me down at all. I rocked my performance on VH1 Hip Hop Honors' tribute to Timbaland last year. I've written and produced a bunch of Grammy-nominated, #1 hits for artists like Keyshia Cole, Monica and Jasmine Sullivan. I toured the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. And on top of all that, I'm working on my new album. I feel great. Under my doctor's supervision, I've been off medication for about a year and I'm completely managing the condition through diet and exercise.


Other Celebrities With Thyroid Disease



Missy Elliott joins a growing list of celebrities -- including 'Modern Family's Sofia Vergara, fitness expert Jillian Michaels, and daytime diva Oprah Winfrey -- who have gone public with their diagnoses of thyroid disease. (Find out about other Celebrity Thyroid Patients.)




What is Graves' Disease?



Graves' disease is a condition in which the immune system creates antibodies that can attack the thyroid gland, and make it overactive. (You can read more about it in this brief overview of Graves' Disease and hyperthyroidism.




Graves' disease, which is considered one of the family of autoimmune diseases, usually results in hyperthyroidism, and too much thyroid hormone is produced.




Typical symptoms of Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism include weight loss, high heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, muscle weakness, and goiter (enlarged thyroid gland). (Take a quiz: Could You Be Hyperthyroid? to find out more about risk factors and symptoms of Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism.)




For More Information on Missy Elliott's Announcement





More About Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism




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"Rapper Missy Elliott Reveals Graves' Disease Thyroid Diagnosis: "

Thyroid Disorders In Children



Thyroidism can be of two different types known as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Both of them if not diagnosed early at the time of birth and not treated at proper time can in turn lead to various other disorders. Amongst the, hypothyroidism is most commonly found in children during their birth or after that, which can lead to the deficiency of thyroid hormones in the body in the sufficient amount. Along with low energy levels and stamina, it can affect the physical and mental condition of children. Cretinism is a type of hypothyroidism that can be seen in children and can cause physical and mental retardation in them. Children can also experience fatigue and are normally inactive and quiet. Infants or newborns with hypothyroidism are often seen to sleep for long hours and have poor appetite. Delayed puberty is found in teenagers and some other symptoms include vision problems, galactorrhea, white discharge from the breasts etc.

Another hypothyroid condition found in children at birth is known as Congenital Hypothyroidism. This disease can affect the mental growth and IQ in children. This condition can be treated at it’s earlier with L-thyroxin treatment. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is another disorder found in children and teenagers that is a temporary condition and can be controlled effectively with a L-thyroxin treatment. Another rare condition is an autoimmune disorder called Graves' disease that include symptoms like sleeping difficulties, palpitations, nervousness, abnormal growth, poor IQ etc. A kind of thyroid cancer called papillary cancer can also be seen in children that if developed and left untreated can be life threatening. It can be treated with surgery.
Look for Natural Thyroid Support information online at Public Health Forums. We have articles on Thyroid Supplements, Thyroid Problems etc

Top Organic Herbs As Natural Remedies For Thyroid Disorder



o Herbs
o Homeopathy thyroid medicines
o Dietary supplements

While homeopathy thyroid treatments and dietary supplements are the foremost commercially available corrections for thyroid disorders, their effectiveness are being continuously tested and, worst, questioned.

In terms of availability, being safe and time-proven effectiveness, herbs have been primarily recommended as one of the best options in terms of natural remedies for thyroid disorder.

Some of the top and best organic herbs that are used to treat thyroid disorders include bugleweed and balm.

Bugleweed. Also known as Lycopus europea, Bugleweed is one of the most effective natural remedies for thyroid disorder. Bugleweed is basically used to lower the overproduction of thyroid hormones and, therefore, very effective in the prevention of the possible worsening of hyperthyroidism. In administrating Bugleweed as a treatment for thyroid, health experts recommend purchasing this herb in tincture form.

Lemon balm. One of the foremost herbs that is used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism is Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis. With years of research, Lemon balm had been proven to reduce the overproduction of thyroid hormone. It is also used as active ingredient to block the effect of thyroid to block the antibodies that are actually found in Grave's disease. While it may be best to administer Lemon balm in extracts, herbalists also recommend making both morning and afternoon tea with buglewood and lemon balm.
There are more organic herbs that could help you with treating thyroid disorders. To know more about natural and effective remedies for thyroid disorders, visit www.natural-remdies-for-thyroid.com

Thyroid Disease And Menopause



There is also a similarity in the symptoms of these two conditions. Some of the similar symptoms include poor memory, exhaustion, depression as well as mood swings. Other similar symptoms include sleep problems, increased anxiety level and hair loss.

This similarity in symptoms makes it difficult to distinguish between the two conditions. It may also be difficult to diagnose on whether a person is suffering from a thyroid disease or menopause.

If you are experiencing conditions such as hair loss especially loss of hair from the eyebrows and the eyelashes, pain in the neck region as well as swelling in the hands and legs, it is likely that you may be suffering from a thyroid disorder. On the other hand, menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats and dryness in the vaginal tract. A thyroid disorder may go undetected in some women especially those aged over 40 because the symptoms may be similar to menopausal symptoms.
Mercy Maranga Reports on Health and Fitness issues. Visit Her Site here for more information on menopause and how to effectively go through it. Menopause