Camilla Luddington reveals Hashimoto's disease diagnosis: ‘Makes you a little slothy'
The 'Grey's Anatomy' star on Wednesday opened up about her health, revealing she has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto's disease. In an episode of her and co-star Jessica Capshaw's 'Call It What It Is' podcast, Luddington said she often feels 'slower, tired, [wants] to be in bed' and that 'it never occurred to me that there could be a medical reason for that.'
Luddington, 41, told her co-host she had blood work a couple of months ago and her doctor flagged 'one little thing.' Though she was 'a little freaked out' to hear the words 'autoimmune disease' from her doctor, Luddington said they reassured her that Hashimoto's hyperthyroidism is a 'very common' disorder.
Hashimoto's disease affects the thyroid gland, which is responsible for producing hormones and regulating many bodily functions, according to the Mayo Clinic. The slow-progressing disease can bring about a range of symptoms including fatigue and sluggishness, increased sensitivity to cold, dry skin, hair loss and weight gain.
Luddington said she experienced a handful of the symptoms associated with Hashimoto's, but dismissed them as signs of aging and perimenopause. Relieved to learn the cause of her symptoms, Luddington offered her own understanding of the disorder: 'Makes you a little slothy.'
'I didn't realize how exhausted my body was,' said Luddington, who stars as Dr. Jo Wilson on 'Grey's.'
Since receiving her diagnosis, Luddington said she has been taking medication to manage her disorder and has also returned to exercising. During the podcast episode, she and Capshaw also talked about the pitfalls of medical advice from TikTok 'doctors,' and encouraged listeners to share their experiences with autoimmune disorders.
Luddington joins several other stars, including 'The Boys' star Erin Moriarty and 'Star Wars' actor Daisy Ridley, who have been open about their autoimmune disorders in recent years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Forbes
Menopause At Work: How Leaders Can Provide Support In The Workplace
More than 1 million women experience menopause each year in the United States – and many of them are doing so while at work. According to a national survey, 90% of women aged 35 and over have experienced at least one menopause symptom, ranging from hot flashes to mood swings. A Mayo Clinic study estimates that menopause costs American workplaces more than than $26 billion/year in lost time at work and medical expenses. The lead author, Dr. Stephanie Faubion, pointed out a key 'takeaway' from the study 'is that there is a critical need to address this issue for women in the workplace.' Menopause is technically defined as the point when someone has gone 12 consecutive months without getting a period, while perimenopause is typically a multi-year period the leads up to menopause. Perimenopause can start when someone is in their mid-30s – or mid-50s. And many don't realize that, even after starting to experience hot flashes and irregular periods, it is still possible to get pregnant. As millions of women navigate the physical and emotional transitions of menopause, a growing chorus of voices is calling for workplaces to catch up. For them, the message is clear: menopause is not just a personal journey—it's a workplace issue. But that doesn't mean that workplaces are required to respond to menopause. 'There's no specific requirement under federal law for employers to accommodate a worker's menopausal symptoms,' points out Emily Gold Waldman, who teaches employment law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and is the co-author of Menstruation Matters. She notes that existing federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act , can sometimes offer indirect protection. One state – Rhode Island –even enacted legislation earlier this summer to require that workplaces accommodate menopause in the same way that they accommodate pregnancy and childbirth. Unless they live in Rhode Island, however, many women face a legal gap that leaves them without recourse when symptoms—like hot flashes, brain fog, and sleep disturbances—interfere with their work. Women may leave their jobs or work fewer hours. Even without a legal requirement to do so, workplaces can take steps to help employees manage the menopause Workplaces Can Do 1. Normalize the Conversation Most women – 80% -- feel that menopause is 'too personal' to discuss at work. Employers can foster open dialogue and offer education to reduce stigma. They can help to create a culture that is open and supportive, points out The Menopause Society in its employer guide, Making Menopause Work. Women in leadership can talk about their own experiences with menopause. Workers can create their own support groups. Some companies, including Nvidia and Genentech, have developed programs for menopause support that include information and specialized health care appointments. 2. Offer Practical Accommodations Employers can provide improved ventilation, better temperature-controlled spaces, and breathable uniforms to help with symptoms. 3. Train Managers and HR Professionals To ensure that managers understands menopause, employers can offer training and ensure resources are available through HR departments. 4. Protect Health Data Employers might use apps to help workers manage symptoms. But, cautions Bridget Crawford, a law professor at Pace University and the second co-author of Menstruation Matters, apps typically collect sensitive health information that could be vulnerable to surveillance. Workers need to know that their information will be safe. 5. Push for Policy Change Even without new federal laws, federal agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, can take actions, points out Waldman. They could issue guidelines that recognize the need for menopause accommodation and that treat menopause-based discrimination as a form of sex or age discrimination. There could be better protection for 'intimate privacy' from both the state and federal government, explains University of Virginia law professor Danielle Citron. As menopause becomes more visible in culture and commerce, the workplace must evolve too. Supporting midlife women isn't just good ethics—it's smart economics.
Buzz Feed
5 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Grey's Anatomy Star Camilla Luddington Reveals Hashimoto's Disease Diagnosis
Camilla Luddington, best known for her portrayal of Dr. Jo Wilson on Grey's Anatomy, confirmed this week that she has Hashimoto's disease. The actor discussed her diagnosis on Wednesday's episode of the iHeart podcast Call It What It Is, which she hosts with her Grey's co-star Jessica Capshaw. 'You've known that I joke about being slothy, just a little slower,' Luddington said. 'Slower, tired, wanna be in bed, love a nap. It never occurred to me that there could be a medical reason for that, and that's where we've landed.' She went on to note that routine blood work she'd been putting off helped lead to her diagnosis. 'My doctor was like, 'Everything looks great, except this one little thing,'' she recalled. 'And I remember hearing the words 'autoimmune disease' and thinking, 'What the fuck?' And then being told that I had something called Hashimoto's hypothyroidism and that it was very common.' According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Hashimoto's disease ― also known as Hashimoto's hypothyroidism ― is a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and, eventually, an underactive thyroid. Symptoms of the condition may include fatigue, joint pain, weight gain and constipation. It's also most common among women between the ages of 30 and 60, and may begin during pregnancy. Luddington, whose credits also include Californication and True Blood, said she came to view her diagnosis as a bit of a relief, given that she 'knew something was up' prior to her doctor's visit. 'I felt like I had the answer for something that I've been knowing is going on,' she explained. 'And I have health anxiety, so there was a part of me that was like, 'Am I gaslighting myself?'' These days, Luddington said, she's 'on the road to recovery,' though she was quick to acknowledge that it's 'going to be a journey.' Her fans, however, can expect to be kept updated as often as possible. 'We set out to share all the things in the hopes that sharing our stories might resonate with somebody else, or make somebody feel a little less alone in their experience,' she said.
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
What is Hashimoto's? Grey's Anatomy's Camilla Luddington's disease explained
'Grey's Anatomy' star Camilla Luddington revealed this week that she's battled an autoimmune disease. The actress, 41, said on the 'Call It What It Is' podcast that she'd been feeling constantly 'slothy' and 'tired' — but figured at first that it was just her age or even hormonal changes. 'I thought, I have two kids, I'm in my 40s. This is what 'the 40s' is. I have jobs to do, maybe I'm perimenopause,' she said. Advertisement 'It got to the point where, by 11 a.m., I felt like I had to chug Benadryl, and I needed to nap. It didn't matter how much sleep I'd gotten the night before. There was no pushing through the day.' 4 'Grey's Anatomy' star Camilla Luddington revealed her Hashimoto's diagnosis this week. Richard Cartwright But after getting blood work done, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. What is Hashimoto's? Hashimoto's is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid. The condition is characterized by the immune system's creation of antibodies that attack thyroid cells as if they were bacteria, viruses, or some other foreign threat. Advertisement The thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ in the front of your neck, produces hormones that regulate metabolism, support growth, and promote brain development, among other vital functions. The primary function of the thyroid is metabolic regulation. In patients with Hashimoto's disease the thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone for the body, slowing the metabolism and leading to a slew of symptoms. Named for Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto, the physician who identified the condition in 1912, Hashimoto's disease is also known as Hashimoto thyroiditis, Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, and Lymphocytic thyroiditis. Advertisement Hashimoto's is a common condition, affecting 5 in 100 Americans. Hashimoto's can develop in any sex at any age, but women are 10 times more likely to be diagnosed than men. Diagnosis typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. People with existing autoimmune conditions like Addison's disease, Celiac disease, Lupus, Pernicious anemia, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and Type 1 diabetes are more likely to develop Hashimoto's. 4 She'd initially dismissed her fatigue as normal for being a mom in her 40s. FilmMagic Advertisement What causes Hashimoto's disease? In patients with Hashimoto's, the immune system erroneously enlists disease-fighting agents that damage healthy cells. The exact cause of Hashimoto's is unclear, but experts believe the onset of the disease may be related to genetic factors or environmental triggers like stress, infection, and radiation exposure. Hashimoto's symptoms Patients with Hashimoto's disease may not have any symptoms at first. As Hashimoto's progresses, the thyroid gland may swell and enlarge, a condition known as a goiter. This is often the first sign of the disease. The symptoms of Hashimoto's progress slowly over the course of several years. Eventually, the decline in thyroid hormone production can result in the following symptoms: Fatigue Weight gain Increased sensitivity to cold Dry skin Enlarged tongue Constipation Muscle weakness Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness Joint pain and stiffness Irregular or excessive menstrual bleeding Depression Problems with cognition Swelling of the thyroid (goiter) A puffy face Brittle nails Hair loss 4 As Hashimoto's progresses, the thyroid gland may swell and enlarge, a condition known as a goiter. Orawan – How is Hashimoto's diagnosed? Advertisement Hashimoto's is tentatively diagnosed by symptoms and a physical exam and confirmed through a series of blood tests, including a Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test, a Free thyroxine (T4) test, and/or an Antithyroid antibody test. In some cases, providers may recommend a thyroid ultrasound to assess the size and quality of the gland and deduce if thyroid growths are present. How is Hashimoto's treated? Not all patients with Hashimoto's will develop hypothyroidism. In these cases, healthcare providers monitor thyroid levels but eschew treatment. When/if Hashimoto's leads to hypothyroidism, the gold standard in treatment is the medication levothyroxine, a synthetic form of the hormone T4 produced by the thyroid. Advertisement 4 Luddington revealed that she's been prescribed Levothyroxine and is now 'on the road to recovery.' Getty Images for MPTF NextGen Luddington revealed that she's been prescribed Levothyroxine and is now 'on the road to recovery.' 'I do feel a lot better. My energy's a lot better,' she said, adding, 'It's going to be a journey.' If hypothyroidism goes untreated, it can lead to serious health issues, including pregnancy complications, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and in some cases, myxedema coma, a rare condition in which the body's functions slow to the point of being fatal Is there a cure for Hashimoto's? Advertisement There is no known cure for Hashimoto's, but medication like Levothyroxine, eating well, exercising, adequate sleep, and stress management can support the immune system. Famous people with Hashimoto's In addition to Luddington, other famous people who have been open about their Hashimoto's diagnosis include supermodel Gigi Hadid, who has previously shared how the disease has affected her body. Zoe Saldana, Kelly Clarkson and Oprah Winfrey have also spoken out about having the condition.
