Heather Rae El Moussa.Photo:Lisa O’Conner/AFP via Getty
Lisa O’Conner/AFP via Getty
Heather Rae El Moussais sharing the “hardest” part of learning she has an autoimmune disorder.
In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, theSelling Sunsetalum, 36, reflected on her “shocking” diagnosis with Hashimoto’s disease earlier this year.
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, according to theNational Institutes of Health. It causes symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, joint and muscle pain, slowed heart rate, dry skin, thinning hair and more.
“When I found out that it was an autoimmune disease, I was definitely shocked because I’ve always been a very healthy person,” El Moussa tells PEOPLE. “So it has not been easy to get my levels right and to feel good again.”
“Just doing the blood work, that was the hardest thing for me,” she says. “I don’t like giving blood and I was having to do blood work every 10 days. But I knew I had good people around me to help me get better.”
Heather Rae El Moussa and her son Tristan.Heather Rae El Moussa Instagram
El Moussa was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s when she was four months postpartum after welcoming her son Tristan, 9 months, with husbandTarek.
Since, El Moussa says she was prescribed Synthroid as part of her treatment plan.The Flipping El Moussasstar has also made a lot of lifestyle changes to help.
“I cut out gluten and I cut out soy, which is not easy for a vegan,” she shares. I go on a lot of walks, I eat very clean, I drink a lot of water, I take electrolytes, so overall my lifestyle is very healthy.”
Heather Rae El Moussa.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“You have to be more diligent with what I eat. I eat a lot at home,” she adds. “I really try to cut it out as much as possible.”
Now, El Moussa says, those changes seem to be working.
“I’m finally starting to feel better and I feel like my levels are doing well. I’m about to be getting blood work next week to see where I’m at,” the reality star tells PEOPLE.
El Moussa is one of several celebrities — includingGigi Hadid,Zoe Saldana,Gina RodriguezandVictoria Justice— who have opened up about dealing with Hashimoto’s disease.
source: people.com
