Here, we share their stories to shed light on treatment options and challenges.
Clinton’s report revealed that her doctor hadn’t prescribed levothyroxine, the standard treatment for hypothyroidism. Instead, she used a natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) called Armour Thyroid.
Armour Thyroid is a natural product made with dried T4 and T3 hormones from cows or pigs. NDT is no longer considered the best option.
In 2014 the American Thyroid Association recommended against the use of NDT. Still, many doctors continue to prescribe Armour Thyroid and other NDT products with some success.
She was treated with medication and later said her thyroid levels had stabilized. Winfrey stopped taking thyroid medications but continued to have her thyroid function checked.
Health experts were quick to state publicly that hypothyroidism usually requires lifelong treatment.
Senator Sanders’ medical report showed he was being treated with levothyroxine. It’s a synthetic thyroid hormone often prescribed for hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
With this condition, the immune system makes antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. The gland may enlarge or shrink, causing a drop in thyroid hormones. Hashimoto’s is more common in women than men.
Among the other stars with the condition:
Kim Cattrall of TV’s “Sex and the City” was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 1998. Kim Alexis, a former supermodel, also has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. She had symptoms for years before she was finally diagnosed. A healthy diet and exercise helped Alexis shed the weight she gained after her diagnosis. Gena Lee Nolin, star of the TV series “Baywatch,” had fatigue and weight gain in each of her pregnancies. She was told it was post-partum depression. Nolin was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism in 2008. She announced her commitment to raising awareness in 2011.
Graves’ disease is a condition where the immune system makes antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. They cause the body to make too much thyroid hormone.
Symptoms of Graves’ disease include:
Weight loss Rapid heart rate Anxiety Insomnia Muscle weakness Goiter
Elliott received radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment for her condition. She said, “The disease really hasn’t slowed me down at all…I feel great.”
These are some other celebrities with Graves’ disease:
Former President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara Bush were diagnosed with Graves’ disease while he was in office. Olympic medalist Gail Devers almost had to abandon her athletic career due to Graves’ disease. She had gained weight and lost muscle. Devers testified to a Congressional committee about being misdiagnosed and the cost of medical mistakes. She received RAI to disable her thyroid gland. Then she was placed on thyroid HRT. The athlete went on to win gold medals in the 100-meter dash at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. Singer Toni Childs is in remission from Graves’ disease. She dropped out of the music scene for nearly 10 years to cope with her condition.
In his autobiography, “Rod: The Autobiography,” the rock star described the distress he felt the first six months after his surgery as he waited for his voice to return.
Stewart had vocal therapy as part of his rehabilitation. He was able to sing again after nine months, though an octave lower. His singing career continues today.
Vergara had her thyroid removed as part of her treatment. She relies on thyroid hormones to maintain normal function. In 2013, the star became the spokesperson for Synthroid (levothyroxine).
Ebert had a relapse of salivary cancer a few years later. He had surgery, radiation, and a tracheotomy. He permanently lost his voice following several surgeries and the return of cancer. Ebert died of related complications in 2013.
Before her diagnosis, Everhart was having shoulder pain and sleep problems. Her doctor ordered a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. It showed a cancerous mass in her thyroid.
Among the other celebrities who have survived thyroid cancer:
Actress Catherine Bell (“JAG”) survived cancer and is a spokesperson for the Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association. Comedian and actor Joe Piscopo is a long-term thyroid cancer survivor. He was diagnosed during the 1990s. Billionaire Washington NFL team owner Dan Snyder has also successfully fought thyroid cancer.
In January 2011, a one-year check-up confirmed she had no signs of cancer. However, not all of Sackhoff’s scars healed right away. In an interview, she stated: “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through… I’m still in therapy trying to get over it.”
Various tests and a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy confirmed she had thyroid cancer. Burke-Charvet had surgery to remove the thyroid gland and stated that she was relieved that surgery did not affect her voice.
Summary
These public figures shared their thyroid stories to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Their journeys may have been different, but the resilience they showed unites them.
