Tarek El Moussa is an American real estate agent and reality television personality who is best known for co-hosting the television series Flip or Flop with his ex-wife Christina Anstead. He recently revealed that he has been living with and managing an autoimmune disease called Thyroid Eye Disease (TED).
TED is a rare disorder that affects the eyes and surrounding tissues as a result of an overactive or underactive thyroid. It is not fully understood why some people develop this condition, but it is believed to be linked to autoimmune deficiencies.
Symptoms of TED include bulging eyes, double vision, pain or pressure in the eyes, dry eyes, and an inability to close the eyes. Treatment may include medication, surgery, or radiation therapy. With proper management, TED can be kept under control, allowing people to live a normal life.
Does Tarek El Moussa have health problems?
Yes, Tarek El Moussa has struggled with health problems. In 2017, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer which spread to his lymph nodes, requiring a course of chemotherapy as well as radiation treatment.
He also has been open about his battle with testicular cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2013. During this time, he has also battled anxiety and depression, which have been linked to his cancer-related illnesses.
Fortunately, Tarek is now in remission for both cancers and takes daily medication for his thyroid and anxiety.
When did Tarek El Moussa have testicular cancer?
Tarek El Moussa was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2013. The Flip or Flop star experienced symptoms that eventually led him to go in for a routine medical appointment. Following the appointment and a series of tests, El Moussa was diagnosed with stage 2 testicular cancer.
After the diagnosis El Moussa underwent surgery to remove one of his testicles as well as his lymph nodes. After his surgery, El Moussa began an 11 week long round of chemotherapy. The treatment was successful and in 2014, El Moussa was declared cancer free.
Since his diagnosis, El Moussa has been an advocate for early cancer detection and treatments. He has used his platform to spread awareness and encourage others to take any symptoms they may be having seriously.
What does your neck look like with thyroid cancer?
The appearance of the neck with thyroid cancer can vary depending on the type, location, and size of the tumor and any other factors that may me contributing to the progression of the cancer. Generally, one of the first and most common signs of thyroid cancer is a lump in the neck.
It is usually located just below the Adam’s apple, but in some cases, the lump may be found farther down the neck. It can range in size from very small (sometimes the size of a pea) to large (even a few inches in diameter).
When the lump is initially discovered, there may be some pain or tenderness with palpation. Depending on the size, it may also be visible from the outside of the neck as a lump. As the cancer progresses, additional swelling or accumulation of fluid in the neck may be seen.
Other symptoms of advanced cancer may include difficulty swallowing or a hoarse or husky vocal quality due to pressure on neighboring organs and tissues.
Is thyroid cancer lump painful?
The answer to this question is that it depends. Generally, a thyroid cancer lump will not be painful in and of itself, as the symptoms of a thyroid lump often do not include pain. However, if the lump is pressing on nearby nerves or organs, it can cause discomfort or pain.
It is also possible that if the lump has become large enough, the stretching of the skin surrounding the lump could cause mild to moderate pain. With that said, it is important to note that pain is not typically a symptom of a thyroid lump, and if you are experiencing pain in your neck or throat area, you should get it checked out by your doctor.
Can you have kids after testicular cancer?
Yes, you can have kids after testicular cancer! Although testicular cancer can affect your fertility, there are cost-effective options for preserving fertility prior to treatment. These include sperm banking and testicular tissue cryopreservation.
Even if fertility preservation is not feasible, there are treatments for poor semen quality caused by cancer treatment, including intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Because of advances in medical technology, most men who have had testicular cancer are able to father children, either through their own sperm or donor sperm.
It’s important to talk to your doctor or fertility specialist about these options prior to or during treatment for testicular cancer so that you can understand your chances of becoming a father in the future.
Why is Tarek doing IVF?
Tarek is doing IVF (also known as in vitro fertilization) because it is a common fertility treatment for those who struggle with infertility. With IVF, an egg and sperm are combined in a laboratory setting in order to create an embryo, which is then transferred to the uterus for a possible successful pregnancy.
Tarek may be experiencing a variety of infertility issues that make getting pregnant naturally difficult, such as sperm motility problems or ovulatory dysfunction. By turning to IVF, Tarek and his partner can still possibly achieve the dream of starting a family together.
In addition, IVF allows couples to customize their treatment plan, such as using a sperm donor or donor eggs, which can be incredibly beneficial if one partner’s infertility is too severe to be treated in any other way.
IVF is a complex and often expensive fertility treatment, but it has provided hope to countless people who have struggled with infertility.
What is the survival rate for thyroid cancer?
The survival rate for thyroid cancer depends on the stage of the cancer when it is first diagnosed. 85-95% of individuals diagnosed with Stage I thyroid cancer have 5-year survival rates, while stage IV generally has a 5-year survival rate of just 10-40%.
According to the American Cancer Society, the overall 5-year survival rate for all stages of thyroid cancer is 98%. 10-year survival rates are 96-97%. While 15-year survival rates are 92-93%. Overall, the survival rates for thyroid cancer are very good if the cancer is caught early and treated properly.
What causes thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a disease in which cells in the thyroid gland grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. While the precise causes of thyroid cancer are not completely understood, research suggests a variety of factors that may increase the risk of developing the disease.
Factors that may contribute to thyroid cancer include exposure to radiation of the head and neck, genetic mutations, and environmental factors such as high iodine levels or low-nutrient diets. Radiation is thought to be the leading cause of thyroid cancer, particularly if exposure occurs in childhood.
People who have received radiation therapy for other cancers of the head and neck have an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. Individuals who have had radiation in the past are advised to have regular check-ups to detect any potential changes in their thyroid.
Genetic mutations are also thought to play a part in the development of thyroid cancer. A mutation of the RET gene, which is responsible for cell growth and survival, can lead to an increased risk of developing the disease.
Some people also carry an inherited gene mutation which increases their risk.
Environmental factors are another line of research that shows a possible link between thyroid cancer and some components of our environment. Studies have suggested a correlation between high iodine levels and increased risk of developing certain forms of thyroid cancer.
Low-nutrient diets may also contribute to thyroid cancer, although the evidence remains inconclusive.
Overall, the exact causes of thyroid cancer are currently unknown, and research continues to investigate these potential contributory factors as well as any additional links that may exist.
What are early warning signs of thyroid cancer?
Potential early-warning signs of thyroid cancer can include feeling a lump in the front of your neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and persistent cough. Other symptoms to watch for include pain in the throat or neck, swollen lymph nodes, a swollen thyroid gland, and changes in voice pitch.
In some cases, you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, weight loss, hair loss, blurry vision, and goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland). While these signs may indicate thyroid cancer, it’s important to keep in mind that they can also be associated with other medical conditions, such as an infection or benign nodules.
Therefore, it’s always recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. Additionally, regular doctor visits are an important way to prevent and detect any potential signs of thyroid cancer in its early stages.
Who is most likely to get thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer can affect anyone, however certain demographic groups are at higher risk for developing it. People who are over the age of 60 are more likely to get thyroid cancer than those in other age groups.
Additionally, those who have a family history of the illness are at a greater risk of developing it. Women are also more likely to get thyroid cancer than men, and Caucasian and Asian groups are more likely to get it than African-Americans.
Other risk factors can include being exposed to high levels of radiation, linking to a high intake of certain foods, and having a decreased immunity. It is important to be aware of the risk factors and to speak with a doctor if any symptoms are present.
Does thyroid cancer show up in blood work?
No, thyroid cancer usually does not show up on routine blood tests. However, some types of thyroid cancer may produce substances that can be detected in the blood, such as thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which are measured on blood tests.
These tests are not diagnostic for thyroid cancer but can help guide doctors to look further if they have suspicion of thyroid cancer. Additionally, some people may have an elevated level of calcitonin, which is typically seen in more advanced cases of medullary thyroid cancer.
Ultimately, if thyroid cancer is suspected, imaging tests such as ultrasounds and biopsies are necessary to obtain a definitive diagnosis.
How do you rule out thyroid cancer?
To rule out the presence of thyroid cancer, a healthcare provider may order a range of tests and assessments to evaluate the thyroid gland. This may include blood tests to measure levels of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream and analyze certain proteins that can indicate a thyroid disorder.
The healthcare provider may also order an ultrasound of the thyroid to look for any lumps or nodules. In some cases, a needle biopsy will be performed to collect cells from the thyroid and evaluate them for signs of cancer.
These tests can provide invaluable information about the health of the thyroid and help the healthcare provider determine whether or not there is evidence of cancer present.
Can you have normal TSH levels and still have thyroid cancer?
Yes, it is possible to have normal TSH levels and still have thyroid cancer. This is because the TSH test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormones in the bloodstream, which is a indicator of the amount of thyroid hormones being produced.
Therefore, this test cannot detect abnormal cells in the thyroid gland, which is what characterizes thyroid cancer. This means that someone can have normal TSH levels and still have thyroid cancer – a diagnosis usually requires an ultrasound to detect abnormalities in the thyroid, or a biopsy to analyze suspicious cells from a sample of tissue from the area.
Therefore, if someone is experiencing symptoms suggestive of thyroid cancer, such as difficulty swallowing, lump in the neck, hoarseness, or changes in vocal quality, even when their TSH levels are normal, they should speak to their doctor about further testing.
Has Tarek El Moussa lost weight?
Yes, Tarek El Moussa has lost weight. In 2018, he embarked on a health and fitness journey and had a dramatic physical transformation. He worked with nutritionists, personal trainers, and other health professionals to help him make positive lifestyle changes that resulted in significant weight loss.
He discovered the benefits of an intense exercise regimen, making lifestyle changes that included healthier eating habits, taking vitamins, and even adding regular supplementation to his diet. He also worked with a doctor to find the perfect balance of exercise and healthy eating habits that worked best for him.
The results have been visible in his physique, where his commitment to his health and fitness goals have resulted in a noticeable weight loss.
