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Right now, there is no official word on the cause of 32-year old actress Brittany Murphy’s tragic death, other than she suffered cardiac arrest. Rumors are flying, as they often do after the death of a young celebrity, suggesting that Murphy may have been using drugs. The actress had become extremely thin in recent years, and the tabloids had suggested she might have an eating disorder such as anorexia.

Some of the rumors have also suggested that Murphy may have had a thyroid disorder. Her rapid weight loss may have contributed to that rumor. Interestingly, at one point, in vehemently denying allegations of drug use, Murphy told reporters “I can’t even take an over-the-counter cold remedy like Sudafed, because it will make my heart explode!” (Interestingly, some thyroid patients are extremely sensitive to stimulants like pseudoephedrine, which is in some formulations of Sudafed.)

I don’t know what killed Brittany Murphy, or if she did have a thyroid condition. We need to wait for official word to find out the truth.

But could Murphy have been suffering from an undiagnosed thyroid condition? It’s possible. There are millions of women in the U.S. with undiagnosed thyroid conditions. Sadly, some younger women who develop Graves’ disease/hyperthyroidism — an overactive thyroid — experience rapid weight loss as a key symptom. Far too often, however, these women are assumed to be anorexic, and friends, family and even doctors do not recognize the signs. So when they see a teenage girl, or woman in her 20s and 30s, who is experiencing hyperthyroid symptoms such as rapid weight loss — often accompanied by anxiety, insomnia, and even panic attacks — even the doctor may assume that the woman is suffering from anorexia, bulimia, or an anxiety or panic disorder. Many of these women never get proper medical tests — including thyroid evaluation — and are instead sent off to therapists, or given antidepressants and antianxiety medication. I’ve heard so many stories like this that I can say that this sort of midsiagnosis is more common than is acceptable.

If someone has undiagnosed or untreated hyperthyroidism at any age, they are also at risk of a condition known as thyroid storm. Thyroid storm is extremely dangerous and frequently fatal, as the heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature can become uncontrollably high, and cardiac arrest or stroke can occur.

If it turns out that Murphy did have a thyroid condition, she would not be the first celebrity to have had a thyroid condition.

Note: Our terrific Heart Disease Guide Dr. Rich Fogoros has an informative post, Brittany Murphy: Sudden Death In the Young that talks about some of the reasons for cardiac arrest in someone as young as Murphy.

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Did a Thyroid Problem Kill Brittany Murphy? originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at 14:25:44.

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Some people always read “Twas The Night Before Christmas” every holiday season. Others watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.” But for regulars here at the Thyroid site, it isn’t Christmas unless we feature a beloved piece from America’s funniest thyroid patient, Jody LaFerriere. Jody got to wondering…why does Santa only go out once a year? Could he be depressed? And then there’s Santa’s weight problem….what is THAT all about? Is Santa all about ho ho ho or just ho ho hypo? Could it be that Santa is actually hiding a goiter under that beard? Read Jody LaFerriere’s hilarious thyroid patient letter to Santa!

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Dear Santa Claus: Could You Have a Thyroid Problem? originally appeared on About.com Thyroid Disease on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 20:55:11.

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