Missy Elliott has been a hip-hop phenomenon for more than ten years.
However, Missy went on hiatus for a while and in 2011 she revealed that the reason was because she was silently battling Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland.
“You’ll live with it for the rest of your life,” the Grammy winner said PEOPLE magazine from that time.
The disease – which Elliott was diagnosed with in 2008 – first started affecting her motor skills, followed by a series of symptoms including dizziness, lumps in her throat, mood swings, hair loss, a fast heartbeat and bulging eyes.
But after undergoing radiation therapy combined with medication, she is back and feeling better.
She then performed on VH1 Hip Hop Honors, wrote and produced for other artists, and also worked on new music.
“I feel great,” Elliott assured, adding: “Under the supervision of my doctor, I have been off the medication for about a year and am able to fully manage the condition through diet and exercise.”
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that causes the thyroid gland to become overactive, a condition known as hyperthyroidism.
It occurs when the immune system accidentally produces antibodies that stimulate the thyroid gland, leading to excess hormone production.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include weight loss, fast heart rate, anxiety, irritability, heat intolerance, sweating and shaking. Some individuals may also develop bulging eyes (Graves ophthalmopathy) and fatigue.
Treatment
Treatment aims to control thyroid hormone levels and may include thyroid medications, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery.
In addition, beta blockers are often used to control symptoms such as fast heart rate and tremors.
