Jet Li Gains Weight After Suffering from Hyperthyroidism
While promoting the film Ocean Heaven <海洋天堂> in 2010, Jet Li (李連杰) confirmed that he had been suffering from hyperthyroidism and lost a great deal of weight. For a speedier recovery, Jet Li lessened his workload, opting to only shoot one film per year.
On December 24, Jet Li attended the press conference for Amazing Chinese <出彩中国人>, a reality talent show produced by CCTV. Looking much heavier than usual, Jet Li admitted that due to his hyperthyroidism, he suffers extreme changes in heart rate when he does extreme exercise. He explained that sometimes his heart rate would jump up to 140 beats per minute and he did not want to take the risk of doing films that require a big amount of movements and stunts.
Jet Li, who will act as a judge on the show, said helplessly, “I am fat, and I can’t really do anything about it for now. This is a fact. I am not Huo Yuanjia, not Wong Fei Hung, not a hero. I am just like everyone else here – truly a normal person. I have no choice but to continue my work.”
Jet Li will be starring in The Expendables 3, an ensemble action film that also stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The third installment will also include Mel Gibson and Harrison Ford. The film, directed by Patrick Hughes, will open in theaters in August 2014.
Source: Sina.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
jet li is truly a hero, his one foundation have helped many ppl in need.wish him get better soon.
I’m suffering with the same problem too, can’t loose those extra pounds no matter how hard I tried…. urrr
You should be evaluated for HYPOthyroidism unless there’s some other reason you’re having weight issues. Did you gain weight despite a diminished appetite? Cold intolerance (thinking the room is too cold when everyone else is fine)? Hair falling out? Constipation?
I had an HYPERthyroidism about 2 years ago, went for an iodine treatment, now ended up with HYPOthyroidism, I have to take thyroid hormone supplement every day now because my thyroid won’t release any hormone… I have to take a blood test every 3 months to monitor my thyroid level. I have all the symptoms you listed above.
Ahh, now I understand. Sorry to hear about your problem.
Gosh, radioactive iodine treatment is a real nightmare. If you don’t mind me asking, did your doctor suggest drug therapy first or did he/she immediately recommend iodine?
Hope that you get well soon Kevolie! Is your condition curable?
Lee, I was on drug therapy for several months for HYPER, the doctor told me that I will likely be on drug for the rest of my life because every time we lower the dose my thyroid level raised, so I took the chance and went for the iodine treatment in hope to kill the active thyroid so I don’t have to be on drug for the rest of my life, but things didn’t turn out to be the way I wished, I’m still on drug every day now but only 1 dose in the morning, comparing to prior treatment I was on 4 doses of methimazole and 2 doses to lower my heart rate.
Sorry to hear about your illness Kevolie! I just found out that my oldest brother has thyroid problems too and lost like 50 pounds in a few months. He is lazy and does not exercise either so we knew something was wrong. We finally took him to the doctor and the doctor said he has thyroid problems and recommended him to a thyroid specialist. What is an iodine treatment? Our doctor said that he can give him medication but he would have to keep on taking it so told him to go to a specialist to see if he can offer better solutions. My brother is not constipated or anything. He sets normally and dies not really lose hair either. He just lost a lot of weight that made him look a but gaunt and scary which sacred us all since he used to be chubby.
Meant to say eats normally and does not really lose hair.
HTS, what you’re describing is classic for hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone). The symptoms in my comment relate to hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone).
Thyroid glands take up iodine to make thyroid hormone so radioactive iodine helps to damage overactive thyroid glands so that they stop making too much hormone. Unfortunately for some people that results in so much damage that they go from being hyperthyroid to hypothyroid.
HeTieShou, what your brother has is HYPERthyroidism which means his thyroid make too much hormone, everything in his body works much faster than normal people including his metabolism, therefore causing weight lost. He needs to go see a specialist soon, 50 pounds weight loss is a lot, his thyroid level will continue to rise and he will continue to lose weight if he doesn’t seek help.
Radioactive Iodine treatment is not painful because no surgery involved, but the whole procedure are somewhat painful. I had to spent 1/2 day at the hospital, go through several blood test, x-ray, and scan, then they gave me 2 iodine pills to take. 7 days after I took the iodine pills, I have to isolate myself, keep a distance of at least 7-10 feet from other people, use a separate bathroom, can’t share drink/food/utensil.
Constipation, feeling cold, and hair loss are symptoms of HYPOthyroidism.
@Kevolie
May I ask you a question? Is your blood group A+ ?
@Lee and Kevolie,
Thanks so much for your all of your info but so sad to hear that you guys have to go through all that too. My brother may have to but we just saw the doctor not long ago so have not been to the specialist yet since he has no insurance. He had to pay cash each time he went and it is getting expensive. Therefore, he is looking to get an insurance plan soon. We all need to for Obamacare or else we will get fined. I am hoping that he gets an insurance plans and goes soon before things get worse. He already put off going to the doctor for several months.Due to pressure from family, he finally went…
Forgot to say hope that you are both doing well. I have a feeling that my brother may end up like that, but it may vary from person to person.
This is a life threatening disease nothing can be done is a virus attack is quite scary.
i might have the same problem too. I can’t seem to lose weight. even if i can, i’ll just gain back those weight within a few weeks!
Do you mind me asking why you gain weight as you have this condition? Is it because you constantly feel hungry? Your metabolism isn’t working? Or something else?
thyroid controls your metabolism, body temp, mood etc… There are meds that replace the hormone but its not the same. Liza Wang had her thyroid removed, not sure who she can remain so skinny. Perhaps she is a vegetarian? Spend thousands on weightloss treatments? I wish I knew
@Kevolie
Hang in there! I know how you feel. I had the same problem, HYPER then went for iodine treatment then became HYPO. I had no choice but to go for the iodine treatment because I was allergic to the drug used to treat HYPER. SO it was either surgery or iodine treatment… Now I can’t keep the kilos off no matter how little I eat.. haih..
Take it easy, Jet. You don’t owe anybody anything.
I know jet le is someone who is constantly doing a lots of charity . Saw a lots of his interview! He is a very humble. I hope he get well soon!!
Me too and glad that he has such a big heart and hope he gets well soon!
You will always be my hero! Get well soon
I was hyper with graves for years then I was able keep it under control without meds by cutting down foods with iodine. That lasted for 2 years, then I was hyper again and was placed on meds to control it along with meds to lower my heart rate. Gained 10 pounds within month. They also found a lump in my thyroid and I had to get a biopsy done for it. It ended up to be cancerous and I had my entire thyroid removed. I’ve gained a good 40 pounds since the removal (about 2 years ago). There’s nothing I could to do bring my weight down. It’s pretty depressing. At least I’m cancer free.
Sorry to hear that and it must have been hard for you. Health is just so important and it is sad that those who are healthy take it for granted…Hope you are better now.
tears. i love him … get well soon!!!
used kungfu to cured his virus.
I knew a lady with this problem, she had her thyroid remove. She no longer suffer from it, so she told says. Good luck Jet!
How do you live and function well without a thyroid???
Well she did! I am sure you can take other supplements to replace the hormones.
Hi All
Sorry to read about those comments ESP those have thyroid issues.
May God bless all of you and do pray that all of you have a speedy recovery.
I think that it’s not his weight but his personality and basic niceness. Remember him in those Shaolin movies? People in Beijing really have good smiles (emotionally not just visually).
But in photos, he does look sadder always.
Poor jet li 🙁 he’s always been so kind, nice and humble. Get well, jet li. And it’s ok if you got fatter, we still love you and support you xD I just hope you don’t let the whole image thing gets in your head, and try to look fit when you can’t, and mess up your life. You have done a lot of great movies for us, so just take your time to enjoy life to the fullest 🙂
i love Jet Lee
Hope he’ll recover soon. No matter what happened. All his fan will always support him.
Hope nothing bad happens to him. Get well, Jet.