Oprah Reveals Thyroid Trouble

Queen Of Talk's Medical Problem Is Common And Under-Diagnosed

(CBS)  Oprah Winfrey revealed that she has been plagued by thyroid problems, which she said have made her look and feel run-down.

"I was still feeling really tired, really tired, going around from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what was wrong, and finally figured out that I had literally sort of blew out my thyroid," she said on her show yesterday.

Winfrey said she was working too much, which lead to exhaustion, weight-gain and lethargy.

"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."

---

Photos: Women In Power

---

Then she gained 20 pounds. She said she tried to regroup by spending the summer in Africa and Hawaii and she continues trying to find a balance.

Many American's have thyroid troubles, which have a direct effect on the metabolism, said CBS News medical contributor Dr. Holly Phillips.

People with an overactive thyroid could feel jumpy, hot or have trouble sleeping, Dr. Phillips said. With an under-active thyroid, people feel rundown, cold or could gain weight. Winfrey seems to have a classic case.

"You might have a hyperactive thyroid then develop a hypoactive thyroid, not enough hormone," Dr. Phillips said. "So, something like she was experiencing her is typical."

But take heart: It's easy to find out of you have thyroid problems, even though it's an issue that is often diagnosed and not picked up early enough.

"It's such an easy blood test," Dr. Phillips said. "Actually, if your doctor draws cholesterol on you, you can use that same test to test for the thyroid."

She said she routinely screens women, who are more likely to have thyroid problems, especially if they are over 50.

But it can affect women of all ages, even in their 20s. It also can happen after a woman gives birth.

"It's called postpartum hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism," Dr. Phillips said. "It's something that can happen right after having a baby and then it sort of self-corrects."

People like Winfrey can take medicines called synthroids which are very effective, but sometimes it is a lifelong problem. But on proper medication, your body can function normally.

"Don't ignore it," Dr. Phillips said, "or you could get in trouble."

[kevzgrl]

Ah, yes, the dreaded "Medical condition" that causes you to be fat - couldn''t possibly be the plates of fried chicken and mashed potatoes and other assorted goodies you just can''t push yourself away from, now could it, Oprah?

[ilovelulu]

Yes, poor Oprah indeed. To have an "ailment" that was not diagnosed after going from doctor to doctor (they check my thyroid every year at my physical & be forced to take a month off in Hawaii is just HORRIBLE!!!

I don''t know why I was ever feeling sorry for the women who have cancer, families to raise and a job that they can not afford to lose.

[lisann3261]

Try a natural brand of thyroid medication. Anything synthetic may not work for you. I got a big round face when I was on thyroid. Amore is a natural brand that works better for some people.

[okos12]

You wrote to me: "You are an idiot" - to sbbm:

And you are ill mannered. I believe that Oprah worked hard, so do hundreds of millions of people, and they are happy to stay above water, and one paycheck away from being on the street, that is provided they do not need major surgery, as about 40 million Americans can not afford health insurance..

Oprah must feel no pain when she gives. For her the money just keeps coming in. How reassuring it must be.

If I was you, I would not call anybody idiot. You do not know me. And the other lady who said I am jealous and I ''hate'' Oprah. Far from it. I do not think of her, she never touched my life.

You should practice being nice. You can express your opinion without calling people names. Good manners never go out of style. The world is full of people who think different then you.
You owe me an apology, because you were disrespectful sbbm.
English is a foreign language for me, so before you size up my letter, think on how many languages you can write and speak. Gab

[incog-nito]

When will Bush come out and reveal the extent of his brain damage caused by years of alcohol and cocaine abuse?

[txthyroid]

For folks in Texas looking for a doc to treat their thyroid disorders, please join the Texas Thyroid Groups on Yahoo Groups. We can help you find a good thyroid doc.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Texas_Thyroid_Groups/

[magbear11]

Poor Oprah, She needs to find better Doctors, my Doctor found about my Hypothyroidism after one blood test. I''m a male and I was tired etc, but I told my Doctor for the last five years how I felt... and BAM one blood test. Working on the meds now, most folks don''t think men can get it, but it appears it affects more men in my family then women.

[boots75252]

I was diagnosed with Graves disease in June and had the Radiation Iodine treatment the first of July. I have horrible symptoms that started after thsi and my Endo Doctor will not talk to me about any symptoms. Only what the blood test shows. If any in Dallas, TX knows a good Endo Doctor please forward me the information. Also has any one else''s tongue been sore and felt swollen.

[bxazy8]

Maybe the FDA "Fraud Drug Agency" will approve some more drugs and make Billions more for the RX companies. Then go to work for them after they approve the drugs like 75% of them do. And then they give donations to political campaigns to get who they want elected! Only in America. Just hope for the sake of this country Hillary does not win, all you children will be on drugs before they are 10 years old. This country needs to be straighten out. http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues

[doggiesmom]

I was so glad to hear those words- Thryoid problem. I hate that Oprah has had to go through this- since I myself have gone through it this summer as well. Since I just turned 25 and had the biggest of all my symptoms start that very day- I would scream from the roof tops- have your thyroid checked, expecially befor going on any antidepressants!
I loved the show and learned a few things but the biggest complaint I had- I wanted more info. on THYROID PROBLEMS not menopause!(I know, the majority of her audience is in that catagory but there are otehrs!) I am still scouring the internet daily for more info. about this disease. Many prayers for a long & healthy life for Oprah and all the others who have written in on here!

[nirak2-2009]

When Oprah looks run down is when her make-up person is out of town.

[whatithink-2009]

okos12,

Your comments amount to a load of jealousy. What has Oprah personally done to you? Nothing. You should channel that energy into something productive. Hating someone is a waste of energy and does nothing to make you a better person.

[godofredo29]

At least this doctor isn''t as ignorant as the ones on NBC who don''t even seem to know that these are problems both genders can get. When NBC''s Dr. Snyderman did her piece on hypothyroidism she never mentioned guys once. Same with her piece on osteoporosis.

[gavin07]

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism May 2004. Before I knew it I was speaking to the Chief of the Endocrinology Department and he was telling me that I had Grave''s Disease (a condition of hyperthyroidism). I didn''t even know what this was at the time, I had never heard of it. During these two years (2002-2004) before my diagnoses, I became a completely different person (basically out of control). I was irritable, erratic, lacked intimacy, and lost 60 pounds. My husband thought I was on drugs, he questioned if I were having an affair-- because I had changed. He basically didn''t know what was wrong with me and I of course not knowing that I had a thyroid problem at this time, made me angry and resent him for saying these kinds of things to me. Ultimately we were divorced. So, in May 2004, I told my physician that I was going through a divorce. My physician became very alarmed and told me that he believed my hyperthyroidism especially since I didn''t know that anything was wrong with me-- probably had a tremendous effect on why I got divorced. Now 3 years, after my diagnoses I have lost everything. My doctor even wrote my husband a letter in my behalf trying to let him know that, the condition effected me severly and that it had a lot to do with the way I was leading up to the divorce. My husband doesn''t believe it. Please if there are others out there that have had similar occurences in their life--please email me. My email address is [e-mail]. Thank you

[okos12]

I don''t like you Oprah. You are a control freak. You cut people dead in the middle of the sentence to be "right back"

You pile on the millions and are also full of yourself. Every issue of O has your ugly face on it. Enough of that already.

You give money away, and it must be easy when you have hundreds of millions and it just keeps coming.

It is amazing when you have this much that it took a long time to find out that you are hypo. I took one look at you and KNEW it. Don''t you have a doctor, who is worth his grain? Checking the thyroid is part of any physical, at least in Kansas it is. Fire the doctor.

Keep pampering yourself. You may have many houses and much cash, but that is not what being rich is about. Oh, and don''t forget the dogs. The dogs have much better life then people. Please, go away. I can not flip the channel fast enough when I see you or Dr. Phil. (he is full of himself also). And remember this; you are using up the resources of this planet by having so many big houses all too yourself. You can sleep only in one bed at a time, and eat one meal at a time, and piling up the millions do you no good, and could help a whole lot of people. You are a selfish control freak and I do not like you.

[extremophil]

And I thought her eyes bugged out because of all that money she makes.

[ablair6]

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 3 years after my 3td child. I now have a 4th child who is 6 and she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when she was 3. If you are going to get pregnant make sure your doctor checks your thyroid and manages your medication while you are pregnant. I had no idea that I should be concerned about my tsh levels while pregnant. Thyroid causes a lot of conditions, you need to be reading and be aware of your disease.

[kstov]

My thyroid problems started at 30, and my doctor did not know what was going on. At 30 I started having anxiety attacks, got Bell''s Palsy, began losing lots of weight, and had other symptoms. At 34 I felt better but started gaining 10 pounds a year even when I was exercising and dieting. After reaching 170 I became concerned. At 42 the shakes came back and a rapid heart rate. My regular doctor prescribed me anxiety medicine but I was not having true anxiety. I then called my daughter, a medical research student, and discussed this with her. She advised me to see a specialist because the whole thyroid thing is very complicated. I took her advise and this is how the specialist explained to me why my regular doctor could not diagnose me with a thyroid disorder. When thyroid cells die, they release their hormones into the blood, which gives a false report; that it is still functioning correctly. Many different types of blood tests over a period of months is needed. My first results showed an over-active thyroid, then two months later the results showed an under-active thyroid, which was confirmed with an ultra-sound. Twelve years later I now know that I have Hoshimoto Disease(a thyroid disease).I now take a thyroid supplement and a beta-blocker for the rapid heart beat. I will have to do this for the rest of my life. I have not felt better since taking the medicines.

[lmpearson]

I have been waiting for this to subject to come up for a long time. I, like Ophrah delt with issue for 2 years. The first time I spoke to my Dr. about my being tired he told me it was being a new mom that I was depressed and I told him I wasn''t. Second time was about 9 months or a year later same thing you are depressed here is a name of someone for you to talk to and take this prescribition for you. I had to stand up pointing my finger and of course crying to get bloodwork done. It is crazy that Dr. don''t check it after a pregnancy. I had already lost a baby at 4 months and I believe with all of me, all my problems were my thyroid. Why is this so hard to identify?

[mommabear830]

I want to share my "good" thyroid story so you know they exist. I was dx''d with Hashimoto''s thyroiditis awhile ago. My TSH levels were normal, but my thyroid antibodies were through the roof. This is not a test normally run, you have to ask for it. In May, my provider found a nodule on my thyroid. I had a fine needle aspiration & it came back suspicious/inconclusive. It was either wait & see or surgery. My grandma died from thyroid cancer & I lost my mother to a brain tumor earlier this year, so I wasn''t going to take any chances. I had a total thyroidectomy in July-the nodule turned out benign, thank goodness. I started to feel pretty great right away on my Synthroid. 4 wks after my surgery I began to feel extremely tired. I assumed it was my body getting adjusted to the Synthroid-boy was I wrong! Turns out I am pregnant with our second child, due in April next year! They don''t warn you of that possible wonderful side effect! I now realize how my entire body was being affected by my thyroid issues. I know it''s not a cure all for women who are having fertility problems, but it is something that needs to be seriously looked at if things aren''t working right. Looking back at my symptoms, I am truly blessed that my first pregnancy went smoothly & I didn''t have any major complications. I just want anyone out there going through thyroid issues to know things can work out & hopefully you will feel better! This is coming from someone who hates taking meds too!