Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page will be managing a lifelong health condition while taking part in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! The Welsh actress will be navigating her "invisible" condition while away from the comforts of home in the Australian jungle.
The programme returns to ITV this Monday, November 16. Page will be sharing camp with footballer Wayne Rooney, soap actress Claire Sweeney and Paralympian Ade Adepitan.
Living with an underactive thyroid
Swansea-born Page, who also appeared in Love Actually, previously spoke about "losing her signature energy" and suffering from bouts of chronic fatigue. She also noticed a tendency to shiver before her diagnosis.
She will likely need to keep managing her underactive thyroid throughout her time in the jungle. The condition, known as hypothyroidism, is common, according to the NHS, and requires lifelong medication to "prevent symptoms returning".
An underactive thyroid is widely regarded as an 'invisible' health condition, as many of its most debilitating symptoms are not outwardly visible to others.
Page's experience with the condition
Reflecting on her experience previously, Page told Wales Online that she constantly felt as though she was "in slow motion all the time." She added: "I just had no energy."
"I'd get out of bed, load the washing machine, and then be so drained I'd have to sit around staring into space for the rest of the day. I was continually freezing cold."
"I'd have the central heating on full blast, be wearing three layers of clothing including thermals. My husband James would have to walk around in shorts because it was so hot in the house."
Managing the condition
Signs of an underactive thyroid often mirror those of other medical conditions, and they typically emerge gradually, meaning they might not be spotted for years. For instance, if you're at an age where the menopause might be anticipated, you could assume you've begun the menopause instead of recognising an underactive thyroid.
Managing an underactive thyroid requires taking daily hormone replacement tablets, known as levothyroxine, to elevate thyroxine levels. Regular blood tests will be conducted until the appropriate dosage is established.
Once the correct dose has been found, patients typically undergo an annual blood test to check hormone levels. Patients generally require treatment for life, though they're frequently able to enjoy a normal, healthy existence.
