The condition affects thousands of people across the UK – sometimes without them even realising
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Joanna Page’s role as one of the leading title characters in Gavin and Stacey has been enjoyed around the UK for decades. But, away from her bubbly life on Barry Island, the real-life star has been dealing with some serious medical issues.
The Swansea-born actress, who also featured in the festive rom-com Love Actually, previously spoke about ‘losing her signature energy one year’ and began experiencing bouts of chronic fatigue. She also noticed her tendency to start shivering too.
In an interview with Wales Online, the mum-of-four said she constantly felt like 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, and my husband James would have to walk around in shorts because it was so hot in the house.”
After visiting the doctors, Joanna was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and prescribed medication she must take for the rest of her life. The seriousness of that lifelong condition was felt when she once forgot to take her medication the Gavin and Stacey, star said her symptoms came “roaring back.”
According to the NHS, an underactive thyroid (also known as hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are often similar to those of other conditions, and they usually develop slowly, so you may not notice them for years. For example, if you are an age where you may be expecting the menopause, you may think you have started the menopause rather than having an underactive thyroid.
Treatment for an underactive thyroid involves taking daily hormone replacement tablets, called levothyroxine, to raise your thyroxine levels. You’ll have regular blood tests until the correct dose is reached.
Once you’re taking the correct dose, you’ll usually have a blood test once a year to monitor your hormone levels. People usually need treatment for the rest of their life – but are often able to lead a normal, healthy life.
Millions are expected to tune in on Christmas Day for the final episode of Gavin and Stacey, which was written by James Cordon and Ruth Jones. The finale will air on BBC One at 9pm, after which it will be available on BBC iPlayer.