A major loss to the sports world
Oprah had a terrible experience as a result of thyroid issues. Speaking about it, she said: “My body was turning on me. 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. (Most people gain weight. I did! Twenty pounds!).”
The rock legend has had his fair share of health issues, but many don't know he suffered with papillary thyroid carcinoma.
The model has Hashimoto's disease. She opened up to Elle magazine about it, explaining that she'd been on medication for it for a few years.
Another sufferer of Hashimoto's disease, the actress explained: "You create antibodies that attack your glands."
When Molly Sims had her son Brooks, she suffered with post-partum thyroiditis, which causes a swelling of the gland.
The model and media personality revealed in 2012 that she had thyroid cancer but had suffered with Hashimoto's disease before that.
The singer was diagnosed with Graves' disease in 2010, saying: “It was making me very very crazy and I thought I had a panic disorder but I didn’t- I had Graves’ disease. I checked myself into the nut-house and everything and then I realised that I’m not crazy- I’m sick, with a real disease."
Piscopo developed thyroid cancer during a successful 'Saturday Night Live' run in the 1980s.
When the actress started to feel stressed and anxious more than normal, she chalked it down to work. But it was later discover that she had thyroid cancer, which she fortunately then had removed.
The late George H.W. Bush had an overactive thyroid caused by Graves' disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition, during his presidency.
When the 'JAG' and 'Army Wives' actress was 21, her dentist noticed a lump on her throat that turned out to be thyroid cancer. She had it surgically removed.
The model and actress had to undergo surgery to operate and remove thyroid cancer in 2013.
The former supermodel has had long battles with both Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.
American track star Gail Devers almost had to have her feet amputated due to Graves' disease, but recovered to win three gold medals and compete in five Olympic Games.
The 'Baywatch' and 'Sheena' actress released a book in 2013 exploring her battle with thyroid disease.
The American actress and author has suffered with Graves' disease, which led to weight loss, fatigue, and period issues.
Sources: (Walk-In Lab) (HealthCentral) (E!)
See also: These celebrities have battled through breast cancer
The actress was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease several years ago. "They had put me on this thyroid medication, and I think the levels were too high for me because it caused my skin to break out," Justice told Health magazine in 2015. "All my life I've always had great skin, so it was really devastating."
Sanders is in pretty decent health for his age, but he does have hypothyroidism.
The late American film critic was diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid and salivary glands in 2002, and in the following years he suffered many health complications.
It's estimated that around 20 million Americans have a thyroid disease. It's much more common among women (somewhere between five and eight times more common). Several different disorders can arise when your thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) or not enough (hypothyroidism). Four common disorders of the thyroid are Hashimoto's disease, Graves' disease, goiter, and thyroid nodules. The gland itself is an endocrine gland formed by a thin band of tissue at the front of the neck.
Given that thyroid issues are more than common than we'd think, we find them in the world of fame as well. All of the celebrities on this list have suffered from a thyroid issue in some way. To learn about their experiences, click through the gallery.
Celebrities with thyroid issues
Today is World Thyroid Day
CELEBRITY Health
It's estimated that around 20 million Americans have a thyroid disease. It's much more common among women (somewhere between five and eight times more common). Several different disorders can arise when your thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) or not enough (hypothyroidism). Four common disorders of the thyroid are Hashimoto's disease, Graves' disease, goiter, and thyroid nodules. The gland itself is an endocrine gland formed by a thin band of tissue at the front of the neck.
Given that thyroid issues are more than common than we'd think, we find them in the world of fame as well. All of the celebrities on this list have suffered from a thyroid issue in some way. To learn about their experiences, click through the gallery.