Grey's Anatomy Star Camilla Luddington Opens Up About Hashimoto's Diagnosis
Camilla Luddington Spills the Tea on Her Shocking Health Diagnosis
In a candid conversation on her podcast, Call It What It Is, Camilla Luddington, the 41-year-old actress known for her role as Dr. Jo Wilson in Grey's Anatomy, revealed that she has been diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. The autoimmune disorder affects the thyroid gland, causing fatigue, weight gain, and depression among other symptoms.
A Shocking Diagnosis
Camilla shared that she initially thought it could be perimenopause, but after some routine bloodwork, her doctor made the shocking discovery. "I remember hearing the words 'autoimmune disease' and thinking, 'What the f*?'" she exclaimed on the podcast. But when her doctor told her it was a common condition, Camilla felt a mix of emotions - relief that she finally had an answer, but also frustration.
What is Hashimoto's Disease?
For those who may not be familiar with the condition, Hashimoto's disease occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to a decrease in hormone production. This can cause fatigue, dry skin, weight gain, and depression among other symptoms. Camilla joked that it makes you feel "gorgeous" - just kidding! She explained that her doctor prescribed her medication called Levothyroxine, which she takes daily to replace the hormones her thyroid gland is no longer producing.
A Growing List of Celebrities with Hashimoto's
Camilla joins a growing list of celebrities who have been open about their struggles with Hashimoto's disease. Gigi Hadid, Zoe Saldana, and Victoria Justice are just a few examples of women who have spoken out about their experiences with the condition. It's refreshing to see these women using their platforms to raise awareness and reduce stigma around autoimmune diseases.
Camilla's Career and Personal Life
When she's not busy filming Grey's Anatomy, Camilla focuses on her family life. She has two young sons, Hayden (8) and Lucas (4), with her husband Matthew Alan. The couple met in 2008 and tied the knot in 2019 in a romantic ceremony in Santa Barbara. In an interview with People earlier this year, Camilla gushed about her husband's daily gesture of bringing her coffee every morning - a sweet tradition they share.
Camilla's Take on Long-Term Roles
As she approaches her decade-long stint as Dr. Jo Wilson on Grey's Anatomy, Camilla opened up to Variety about the challenges and rewards of playing a character for so long. "It's like you're living parallel lives," she explained. "But I consider it a privilege to be in this position where I get to play someone for this long." When asked if she'll know when it's time to say goodbye, Camilla shared that there will be an "organic moment" where her character's storyline naturally comes to a close.
A New Chapter Ahead
Camilla is set to reprise her role as Dr. Jo Wilson in the upcoming 22nd season of Grey's Anatomy. With her health diagnosis under control and her family by her side, it looks like Camilla is ready to tackle whatever challenges come her way. Stay tuned for more updates on this talented actress!
