Michelle is famed for being a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race and is now making a name for herself in the UK as one of the contestants on Strictly Come Dancing 2019. The amateur dancer opened up to OK! and discussed her health battles she has endured for over 20 years. “It’s not cancer, thank God, said Michelle. I got the report that it was benign the day I was coming to England for strictly.”
Michelle battles with a condition known as Hashimoto’s disease and initially feared it was cancer due to a long standing debate regarding the relationship between thyroid cancer and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Michelle spoke about her health struggle with the condition to her Instagram followers and revealed she had finally undergone another biopsy after 16 years.
“I’m sharing this with you because we have to be our women health advocates. Those that know me and listen to the podcast, know my struggles with Hashimoto’s for the past 20 years.
“It’s been 16 years since I had a biopsy because no one told me I needed to get another.
“Over the last two years my body was so inflamed from my breast implant illness my thyroid nodule doubled in size.”
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US and is caused by antibodies that attack the thyroid and destroy it.
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland is under active and doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone.
It’s possible to have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis for years without experiencing a singly symptom. However, there are hallmark signs and symptoms of the disorder.
Endocrine said on their website: “When you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, your immune cells mistakenly attack your healthy thyroid tissue.
“When this occurs, your thyroid can become inflamed and enlarged.
“A primary sign is a visible swelling in the front of your neck. At first, the bulge may be painless.
“But if left untreated, it can put pressure on your lower neck.”
I want to show my daughters that, despite age, you can do whatever you want
Michelle Visage
Other symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Increased sensitive to cold
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry skin, nails, and hair
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Muscle soreness
- Increased menstrual flow
Michelle has not let her health woes stop her and has put on an a monumental performance on Strictly, scoring an impressive 30 on her first dance.
“I want to show my daughters that, despite age, you can do whatever you want.”
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