Oprah's thyroid problem leads to weight gain
Yes, Oprah Winfrey has gained weight. Again. But it's not her diet or a lack of exercise to blame for the 20 pounds she's recently acquired. It's her thyroid.Oprah revealed on her show last week that she's been plagued by thyroid problems which have led to her run-down -- and heavier -- state.
"My body was turning on me," she wrote in the new issue of O magazine. "First hyperthyroidism, which sped up my metabolism and left me unable to sleep for days. (Most people lose weight. I didn't.) Then hypothyroidism, which slowed down my metabolism and made me want to sleep all the time."
Many Americans have thyroid troubles, which have a direct effect on the metabolism, says CBS News medical contributor Dr. Holly Phillips. To determine if you have such a problem, all it takes is a simple blood test.
What if you do have a thyroid problem? Phillips says people like Oprah can take medications called synthroids which can help the body function normally. Still, thyroid issues can last a lifetime.
The best a advice Phillips has for those affected by this condition: "Don't ignore it or you could get in trouble."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-30-2007 @ 11:27AM
Jacki said...
Jessica,
I'm happy to hear your condition is under control. And thanks for urging others to get checked!
Jacki
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10-30-2007 @ 1:45PM
Jessica said...
I have had a thyroid problem, Graves' Disease, since I was 15. Similar to Oprah, my symptoms were the opposite which made it difficult to diagnose. Now I am on synthroid for the rest of my life. It is not something difficult to live with; it was just difficult being a teenager and going through the regulation period for over a year (I missed one year of high school). I think that everyone should be checked for thyroid problems at some point in their life. You never know what you will find!
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