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.)
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
- VH1 Behind the Music: Missy Elliott View the episode online
- People Magazine on Missy Elliott
More About Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism
All About Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism
What is Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism
Quiz: Could You Be Hyperthyroid?
- Risks and Symptoms of Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism: Risk Factors, Triggers, Causes, Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis of Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism
Treatment of Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism
Coping with Graves Disease/Hyperthyroidism
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Photo: Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images Entertainment
"Rapper Missy Elliott Reveals Graves' Disease Thyroid Diagnosis: "
Its better to learn more about your thyroid condition than trying to find the right thyroid medication for you. In other words, get a proper medical checkup before taking any thyroid supplements .
ReplyDeleteHypothyroidism is the condition that occurs when their is less production of thyroid hormones than the actual production. Anti aging thyroid supplements are available for the treatment of hypothyroidism.
ReplyDelete