Can you die from Graves' disease? It can have serious side effects

Last month, news broke that Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with Graves’ disease when she announced that she’d be taking a three-week hiatus from her show, so she can rest and put her health first. Yesterday, PEOPLE reported that Wendy Williams will returning to her show and talk to Good Morning America about prioritizing self care first. Williams told GMA’s Amy Robach,

“We, as women, particularly if — we have families, you know, we’re taking care of children, we’re taking care of, you know, home, our husbands, we take care of everybody but ourselves.” She added, “And it’s really unfortunate. And that — that is something that has no socioeconomic thing to it. No matter what — no matter what the woman’s status is, it seems like we’re all in the same boat. I’m not doing that anymore. Wendy first.”

She opened up to PEOPLE, saying that she’s felt much better since putting her health before anything else, and we hope this serves as an important lesson to everyone: You and your health is the most important thing. Take care of it. Williams stated, “I feel a hundred percent better than I was a few months ago. I had a storm going in my body is the best way I can explain it.”

If you don’t know what the disease is, it might seem a bit scary to you. Can you die from Graves’ disease? How serious is Williams’ condition? Fortunately, it sounds like something that can be managed.

According to WebMD, Graves’ disease is an immune system disorder that often includes hyperthyroidism as a symptom. It’s most common in women over 40, which puts 53-year-old Williams in that category. Other symptoms include anxiety, tremors, and weight loss, as well as bulging eyes and an irregular heartbeat. Some people will also notice thick, red skin on their feet, which is called Graves’ dermopathy.

People don’t usually die from Graves’ disease, but as Medicine Net explains, it can lead to heart issues if it remains untreated. In rare cases, it can become a terminal “thyroid storm,” which is why it’s important for those coping with Graves’ disease to make their health a priority as they work to get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Even though people don’t regularly die from Graves’ disease alone, it’s important to have it diagnosed and treated to manage the patient’s symptoms. And fortunately, treatment can usually be achieved with prescription medications — although surgery is necessary in some cases.

Graves’ disease doesn’t have to be the end of life as you know it, and it sounds like plenty of people are able to lead happy, full lives even after their diagnosis. If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of Graves’ disease, don’t be afraid to get them checked out. The earlier it’s caught, the earlier you can start managing it.