You wouldn’t know, watching actress Sofia Vergara strut around the screen in Modern Family, that this vivacious actress is living with hypothyroidism.
Every night before she goes to bed, the multi-award nominated actress places a glass of water and a small lilac pill on her nightstand. Every morning, as soon as she opens her eyes, the first thing she does is swallow the pill. She showers and, half an hour later, she has her coffee and breakfast: “That’s my routine; exciting, right?”
Sofia Vergara’s Journey with Hypothyroidism
Sofia’s was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when she was 28 years old, a rare condition that affects around 1% of the population. According to a recent interview on Huffington Post, her condition was discovered by chance in 2000. She had taken her son, Manolo, to a doctor’s appointment, and while there, the doctor convinced her to have a check-up as well. By simply feeling her throat, he was able to ascertain that her thyroid was abnormal.
“I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had to have my thyroid removed. As a result, I have a hypothyroid condition and need to take medicine to treat it.” She adds that despite what she has experienced, everything happens for a reason.
“My health issues changed my way of thinking; I’ve been more careful and have made different choices because of all this.”
Follow the Script For Your Thyroid
One of these choices was to help raise awareness of hypothyroidism. She is the spokeswoman for a new campaign called “Follow the Script”, which aims to educate those living with hypothyroidism about the importance of being consistent with the treatment your doctor prescribes. Made possible by AbbVie, pharmaceutical research, and development company based in the USA, the campaign also offers interactive polls, symptom and treatment information, helpful “scripts” for speaking with your doctor and pharmacist, as well as stories and videos from other individuals with hypothyroidism.
As Sofia says: “In my career, I’m known to ad-lib and go off-script – but not when it comes to my health. I make sure to ‘Follow the Script’, so I get exactly what my doctor prescribed. This is so important to me because you can’t enjoy what you have without your health.”
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She believes that her health challenges have made her stronger and wiser, and have given her the courage to achieve whatever she sets out to do. Sofia adds: “You know, with hypothyroidism, I’m careful. I get my blood levels checked every three to six months, and see my doctor when I need to.” She explains that it is vital that you take control of your own health; you need to get your blood tested and work with a doctor who is right for you, as this is a lifelong relationship. “We are all important. We have success and challenges, riches and wealth and spirit, and everything else life offers. But you can’t enjoy what you have without your health.”
Your thyroid and you
Disorders of the thyroid are considered some of the most common health conditions in the world, affecting around 1,6 billion people worldwide. International Thyroid Week, held in May, aims to raise awareness of the importance of having your thyroid checked regularly.
The concern is that thyroid problem are easily confused with other conditions, which can delay proper diagnosis and treatment. “International Thyroid Week brings to light the importance of understanding the common signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. Beyond this, there is also the aim of educating people about the critical role the thyroid gland plays in our wellbeing,” explains Francois Smuts, Merck’s medical affairs manager for southeast Africa.
The thyroid is the endocrine gland found in your neck, just below the Adam’s apple. It is essential for wellbeing, as this gland produces hormones to allow for the healthy working of the heart; it controls how quickly your body uses energy and makes proteins, and controls the body’s sensitivity to other hormones. Considered one of the most important glands in your body, the thyroid assists with the regulation of body temperature; regulation of body weight; glucose and lipid metabolism; growth and development; bone metabolism; regulation of the cardiovascular system; muscle function; brain function; nervous-system function; fertility and pregnancy; and general wellbeing of your psyche.
Thyroid disorders
These include hyperthyroidism, which is abnormally high thyroid activity, and hypothyroidism, which is abnormally low activity.
Hyperthyroidism signs and symptoms
- Protruding eyes
- very fast heart rate
- trembling hands
Adam Gregor/Shutterstock
- hair loss
- frequent bowel movements
- weight loss
- excessive sweating
- muscle weakness
- unusual sensitivity to heat
- increased appetite
- thin and very smooth skin,
- abnormal menstrual periods
Read more Food and Thyroid Health: What To Eat and What to Avoid
Hypothyroidism signs and symptoms
- Fatigue
- drowsiness
- weakness
- not being able to tolerate the cold
- weight gain or increased difficulty in losing weight
- depression
- constipation
- thin and brittle hair,
- dry skin
If left untreated, thyroid dysfunction can have potentially life-threatening complications, such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels, which, in turn, can increase the risk of heart disease.
Women who have gone through menopause are also at an increased risk of osteoporosis or fractures. If you suspect that you, or a member of your family, have a thyroid disorder, it is vital that you speak to your healthcare provider. Your doctor can check your symptoms, recommend appropriate tests and prescribe the required treatment to ensure that you live a healthier and more productive life.
— Update: 18-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Sofia Vergara talks thyroid conditions, freezing her eggs from the website www.latimes.com for the keyword sofia vergara hypothyroidism.
Sofia Vergara appeared on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday to discuss her bout with thyroid cancer, freezing her eggs and her wedding plans.
The “Modern Family” actress, who is a spokeswoman for the hypothyroidism campaign Follow the Script, revealed that she was diagnosed with the disease in 2000. She had her thyroid gland removed and still takes medication to deal with the condition.
“Many women go for a long time without knowing that they have a problem with their thyroid,” she said on the show. “And it [hypothyroidism] can bring many problems in their life. It changes your mood, it changes your fertility, it changes so many things and the sad thing is that it can be checked with a simple blood test. It’s not like you have to go through a colonoscopy or something horrible.”
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Thyroid conditions — one need not have cancer to be hypothyroid — affect about 30 million people in the U.S., especially women, according to a statement from AbbVie, which sponsors Vergara’s campaign. When the butterfly-shaped gland doesn’t produce enough hormones that regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight, hypothyroidism can occur.
Thyroid cancer is uncommon, according to the Mayo Clinic. But the 40-year-old Vergara said there’s an easy treatment that she’s undergone herself. (As has Brooke Burke-Charvet.)
Read more 6 Hypothyroidism Questions You’re Too Embarrassed to Ask
“I’ve had cancer 10 years ago,” Vergara said. “So because they took my thyroid out, I need medication. I’ve figured it out. I’ve heard so many people say they’ve had so many problems with their thyroid. I’ve never had a problem because I’ve taken control of it.”
She added that she’s very serious about taking her medication and gets her blood checked every three to six months.
“Be proactive about it — be smart and do something,” she said of managing her health.
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The Emmy-nominated actress previously mentioned her plans to freeze her eggs in a Vogue profile, so that she and fiance Nicholas Loeb, whom she affectionately calls Nicky, can have kids. The actress already has a 21-year-old son, Manolo Gonzalez, from a previous marriage.
“I’m 40 years old, nothing happens that naturally anymore,” she said. “We just wanted to plan ahead. My boyfriend Nicky is three years younger than me and he’s never had a son. I have my son Manolo, so it’s not like an emergency for me to have another kid. But for Nicky, yes, because he’s never had a baby. So I wanted to make sure I already froze some eggs, so you know, I wanted to take advantage of science. Why not?”
And the arrangements have already taken place.
“I took them out already. They’re in a refrigerator,” she laughed. “Hopefully they’ll be fresh by the time I use them.”
The newly blond bombshell still isn’t sure of the timetable for expanding the family, though she did say that they’re shooting to have their wedding next summer.
“We would like to buy a house. We are also planning to eventually get married. I have so much work this year. So definitely this year it’s not going to happen,” she told the Associated Press.
“Modern Family” is currently on hiatus but Vergara said she just wrapped up filming “Heat” in New Orleans with Jason Statham. She’s set to appear in “The Smurfs 2” and Woody Allen’s “Fading Gigolo.” She has a starring role in Robert Rodriguez’s thriller “Machete Kills.”
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