Here's What Heather Rae El Moussa’s New Diagnosis Means
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In a new interview with Today, reality star Heather Rae El Moussa opened up about a new health condition she was diagnosed with this year after experiencing some intense symptoms after giving birth to her son, Tristan. The Selling Sunset star says she struggled through extreme fatigue and a drop in her milk supply before she finally got an answer: It was Hashimoto’s disease.
This isn't the first time a big name celeb has opened up about Hashimoto's, an autoimmune disease that affects your thyroid levels. Gigi Hadid and Zoe Saldana have also been diagnosed with the same disease, and have talked about it in public.
But what is Hashimoto's, really? And how is it impacting Heather? Here’s what you need to know.
What is Hashimoto’s?
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism, or an under-active thyroid, according to the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Your thyroid, in case you’re not familiar with it, is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck that controls how your body uses energy. When your thyroid is under-active, you can experience a lot of fatigue, irregular periods, depression, and weight gain, among other symptoms.
What has Heather said about her new autoimmune disease?
In the Today interview, Heather explained how she realized something was off before finally getting diagnosed.
“I remember saying to my assistant, ‘I feel like I’m dead,” the 36-year-old told Today. “My brain was so tired. My body was so tired. I was exhausted all the time and no amount of sleep could make it better.”
Heather said she also struggled a lot on days she had to film her reality show, The Flipping El Moussas. “Filming was absolutely brutal because I could barely get out of bed,” she said.
Heather said she assumed she just had “mom brain,” but couldn’t figure out why her milk supply suddenly plummeted—so she talked to her doctor, who had her get bloodwork done.
“When she told me what I had, I was in total shock,” Heather said.
How was it triggered?
Heather says her doctor told her that her pregnancy likely triggered her newly diagnosed condition. According to the U.S. Office on Women’s Health (OASH), some women do develop thyroiditis, or thyroid problems, in the first year after they give birth.
What causes Hashimoto’s?
Researchers don’t totally know what causes Hashimoto’s disease, the NIDDK says, but genetics, viruses like hepatitis C, and a family history of thyroid disease may play a role in developing the autoimmune disorder.
Some medicines used to treat bipolar disorder, medications that contain iodine, and exposure to nuclear radiation can also lead to Hashimoto’s disease, the NIDDK says.
What are the symptoms?
Many people have no symptoms but, as the condition progresses, the NIDDK says you may experience these:
Fatigue
Weight gain
Trouble tolerating cold
Joint and muscle pain
Constipation
Dry skin or dry, thinning hair
Heavy or irregular menstrual periods or fertility problems
Slowed heart rate
How is it diagnosed?
Hashimoto’s is diagnosed with an exam and blood tests, including a thyroid function test and antibody test, the OASH says. The condition is treated with a daily dose of levothyroxine, which is the same hormone that your thyroid gland makes, OASH says.
How common is it?
The condition impacts about about five in 100 people in the United States, the Cleveland Clinic says, and it is more common in women than in men. While it can be triggered at any time, it’s more common between the ages of 40 and 60, OASH says. People with other autoimmune diseases are at a higher risk of developing the condition than others, per OASH.
When Heather's interview went live, several people on Instagram commented on one outlet's post, pointing out that Hashimoto’s is common—and fairly easy to treat. “I have it too. It’s ok can be handled. Watch what you eat,” Sharon Stone commented on an E! News post about the condition. Another said the condition is “very curable,” adding, “I’ve had it for years. This should not be news.”
BTW: Heather told Today that she was prescribed medication and says she’s “feeling much better” now.
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