When you have Hashimoto’s low thyroid, you may feel like you’re the only one. After all, a majority of autoimmune disorders, such as Hashimoto’s, show no symptoms. Although men can be diagnosed with Hashimoto’s low thyroid, it’s usually women who are diagnosed with the condition.

Women are also ill-advised to complain, as they are considered lazy or whiny. It’s why it’s nice to see a television star openly talk about the obstacles she faces with Hashimoto’s low thyroid.

Hashimoto’s low thyroid is an autoimmune condition where the immune system is “intent” on destroying the thyroid gland. While medication is often necessary to treat the condition, it doesn’t get to the heart of the problem – the reason for the dysfunction.

A True Testament From Gina Rodriguez About Hashimoto’s Low Thyroid

Gina Rodriguez stars in Jane the Virgin and the movie Annihilation and recently announced that she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and struggles with the condition.  The condition affects Rodriguez’s health, but it can have a negative effect on her career as well. Although she fights it, she knows that taking care of herself is a way to stay healthy, even with Hashimoto’s.

The actress is making use of her celebrity status to teach women about Hashimoto’s low thyroid and how they can change their lives for the better if they’re diagnosed with the debilitating disease.

In a video interview, Rodriguez said she once saw the condition as being a curse but now sees it as a superpower. While she doesn’t specifically talk about her diet plan, the actress said she works with a nutritionist to increase her energy levels and take back her health. Rodriguez said her symptoms are exacerbated by dairy and gluten.

And, Rodriguez isn’t the only one trying to reach out to Hashimoto’s sufferers.

A True Testament From Gena Nolin About Her Hashimoto’s Diagnosis

Gena Nolin was an actress on Baywatch who exercised excessively and didn’t eat much while on the show. After noticing her symptoms steadily get worse, Nolin was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s low thyroid.  Nolin, in an effort to combat the stigma surrounding the condition, created the Facebook group Thyroid Sexy. The group has close to 150,000 followers.

Since her diagnosis, Nolin co-wrote a book called “Beautiful Inside and Out: Conquering Thyroid Disease with a Healthy, Happy “Thyroid Sexy” Life.”

Many stars have come forward about their own experience with Hashimoto’s low thyroid including but not limited to:

• Kim Cattrall
• Kelly Osbourne
• Mary-Louise Parker
• Milly Sims
• Oprah Winfrey

Gigi Hadid, a social media superstar and model, is quite vocal about her problems with Hashimoto’s low thyroid and the effects it has had on her weight.

Although 90 percent of hypothyroidism cases are the result of Hashimoto’s disease, it still remains to be an underdiagnosed condition. If you’re diagnosed with Hashimoto’s low thyroid, it’s imperative to get control over the condition by eating better, getting plenty of exercise, sleeping well, reducing stress and taking medications if necessary. And, if possible, you need to determine what the underlying cause of your Hashimoto’s low thyroid was.

How to learn if you have Hashimoto’s low thyroid

Many patients are not diagnosed with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s until after several years and going through several doctors. It is a demoralizing journey richly illustrated in my book The Truth About Low Thyroid: Stories of Hope and Healing for Those Suffering With Hashimoto’s Low Thyroid Disease, through real-life stories from patients in my practice. Managing Hashimoto’s goes far beyond using thyroid medication as you must work to stop the immune system from attacking the thyroid. For more information on identifying and managing Hashimoto’s low thyroid, contact my office.

About Dr. Josh Redd, Chiropractic Physician — Utah, Arizona, New Mexico functional medicine

Dr. Joshua J. Redd, DC, MS, DABFM, DAAIM, author of The Truth About Low Thyroid: Stories of Hope and Healing for Those Suffering With Hashimoto’s Low Thyroid Disease, is a chiropractic physician and the founder of RedRiver Health and Wellness Center with practices in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. He sees patients from around the world who suffer from challenging thyroid disorders, Hashimoto’s disease, and other autoimmune conditions. In addition to his chiropractic degree, Dr. Redd has a BS in Health and Wellness, a BS in Anatomy, and a MS in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine.  He speaks across the nation, teaching physicians about functional blood chemistry, low thyroid, Hashimoto’s, and autoimmunity. You can join his Facebook page here.