Famous Model Karolina Kurkova, 40, Explains How She ‘Gained 30 Pounds’ Amid Hashimoto’s Disease, Journey Back to Modeling Again

Coping With Changes In Your Body On Your Health Journey

• Supermodel Karolina Kurkova, 40, is gearing up to refresh her modeling career after a hiatus that began with the onset of Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that impacts the thyroid gland.
• The thyroid gland plays a significant role in chemical reactions in the body, including how your metabolism functions and your growth and development.
• People living with Hashimoto’s disease experience their immune system attacking the thyroid gland, potentially damaging the thyroid and impacting its ability to make enough hormones.
• The condition is often treated with medication that replaces lost thyroid hormones. Kurkova also adopted a healthy lifestyle filled with nutritious foods and regular exercise.

Renowned ‘90s model Karolina Kurkova, 40, graced the pages of Vogue and Victoria’s Secret, leaving an indelible mark on the fashion industry. However, her career took an unexpected turn when her body started changing due to Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder that impacts the thyroid gland. “I had gained 30 pounds,” Kurkova told U.K.-based news outlet The Daily Mail.

Kurkova started modeling when she was a teenager. Her family supported her as she managed a young modeling career for a decade. “It just blows my mind, and it is still incredible what a career I have been lucky to have,” Kurkova said. When she turned 24, she noticed her body started changing despite her regular exercising and eating habits. “I went to a doctor, and I was told I have Hashimoto’s disease. It’s a thyroid problem and stress triggers. Working under pressure makes it worse,” Kurkova explained.

The thyroid gland is found in the neck and produces hormones. According to research published by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, “[The thyroid gland] plays a major role in chemical reactions in the body (our metabolism) as well as our growth and development.” The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that people with Hashimoto’s disease have immune systems that make antibodies that attack the thyroid gland, potentially damaging the thyroid and impacting its ability to produce enough hormones. To help Kurkova’s health journey, she worked to enhance her health. “I studied nutrition, did yoga, ready about sleep and meditation, I did it all,” Kurkova said. “As far as working out, I do work out about 30 to 40 minutes every day,” Kurkova added. She’s also grateful she was able to become pregnant and have three children because Hashimoto’s disease can impact necessary hormones during pregnancy. Nearly two decades later, Kurkova’s children are at or near adulthood. In addition to practicing more self-care, Kurkova looks forward to modeling professionally again. “I can’t wait to get back to modeling. I also want to do some producing and hosting,” she explained.

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Better Understanding Kurkova’s Diagnosis

Hashimoto's disease occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid, and it can lead to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), in which the thyroid “doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones to meet your body’s needs,” according to the National Library of Medicine. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says women aged 30-50 are more likely to be impacted by Hashimoto's disease. The condition is often treated with medication that replaces lost thyroid hormones. Notable symptoms associated with Hashimoto’s disease may include:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Constipation
• Joint and muscle pain
• Dry skin or dry thinning hair
• Heavy or irregular menstrual periods, although this could be symptomatic of other conditions.
• Fertility problems

A New Diagnosis Can Be Life-changing, How to Cope?

Coping with a diagnosis like cancer or other illness is not easy and usually brings a string of emotions. People can feel angry, sad, or determined, and it's completely normal. A licensed clinical social worker, Sarah Stapleton , encourages cancer warriors and their families to be "patient with your emotions." "It's also important that you understand how you communicate with your providers, but also with your loved ones," Stapleton said . WATCH: The first three things to do after a cancer diagnosis. "We can't always assume that people know what we need at a given time, and there are going to be times when you don't want to speak about your diagnosis, and you don't want to speak about cancer," Stapleton continued. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explained to SurvivorNet some tips for cancer warriors and their caregivers for managing emotions after a diagnosis. She emphasized getting extra support from loved ones. "Some people don't need to go outside of their family and friend circle. They feel like they have enough support there," Dr. Plutchik said . "But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional," Dr. Plutchik added.