Sue must have thought I’d been struck down by bone idleness... but she’s been so supportive
Presenter Anna Richardson tells GABRIELLE FAGAN about her energy-sapping thyroid issue and the frustrating struggle to diagnose it
GLAMOROUS, candid and quick-witted, Anna Richardson – who’s presented the likes of The Sex Education Show and controversial dating series, Naked Attraction – is the last person you’d expect to find at a loss for words.
But over the last 18 months, Anna, 48, has been struggling with ‘brain fog’, which can make it difficult for her to remember people’s names and sometimes even words for everyday things.
She was also experiencing weight gain, irregular periods and chronic tiredness – which all seemed to point to the menopause. But when hormone replacement therapy (HRT) didn’t bring any improvement, the TV host and documentary maker, who first found fame in the Nineties on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast, became increasingly anxious about her health.
Tests revealed Anna – who’s been in a relationship with former Great British Bake Off presenter, Sue Perkins, since 2014 – actually has a thyroid problem, although further investigations are ongoing. Here, she talks about the diagnosis, how it has affected her life, and how much she values Sue’s support...
What has the past year been like for you?
I’VE been struggling with what my gynaecologist and I thought were menopause symptoms. I have weight gain around my middle, irregular periods, aching joints, dry skin, and awful brain fog where I can forget the words for the most everyday things. That’s a nightmare with my job.
But the worst part is feeling continually exhausted and just under the weather. I had glandular fever years ago and it’s similar. Even after 12 hours sleep a night, I’m still tired. It’s like being a teenager again, as all I’m capable of is sitting around in pyjamas, watching telly and going to bed!
Despite taking HRT during this time, there’s been no improvement and in the last month I’ve had to cut back on work. I just haven’t got enough energy – and forget having a social life. It’s been really depressing and very worrying, because I couldn’t seem to find out what was really wrong.”
Do you now know what’s causing the issues?
I’M at the beginning of a journey to find out what’s wrong. Two months ago, blood tests showed my thyroid (the gland in the throat that produces the hormone thyroxine, which is essential for maintaining a normal metabolism) was underactive. I’ve been taking a low dose of thyroxine, which hasn’t helped that much – so I went back to the gynaecologist.
I’ve been diagnosed with secondary hypothyroidism, which was initially thought to be caused by Hashimoto’s disease (where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, making it swell and become damaged).
That has similar symptoms to those I’m suffering and is apparently often mistaken for the menopause. But recent further blood tests are indicating that the master gland in the brain, the pituitary, may be causing the problem, but it may not.
My levels of thyroid hormone are 12, which is borderline normal – they can be 12-20 – whereas in 2011, when I had a general medical check up, they were 19. That level shouldn’t change much, so clearly something has had a massive impact on my thyroid gland. I’m seeing an endocrinologist and waiting for scans and tests, and one of many possible scenarios is a pituitary tumour. They are quite common and apparently around 99% are benign, or there may also be chronic fatigue syndrome following my having glandular fever (Epstein-Barr virus). It’s all up in the air until I get the results.
How has Sue dealt with it all?
OVER the last 18 months, Sue’s got a bit frustrated with me at times and said, ‘For goodness sake, it’s midday, you should be up! You’re sleeping way too much.’ I think she thought I’d been struck down by extreme bone idleness!
But since we’ve realised there’s a problem, she’s been so supportive and great at calming me down and reassuring me. If it turns out to be a pituitary tumour, it would be a weird coincidence – Sue has a benign pituitary tumour, a prolactinoma (which affects the secretion of hormones). She takes medication and sees an endocrinologist regularly. She’s told me: ‘If that’s what it turns out to be, don’t worry – these things can be managed, we just need to find out what’s going on.’
How important is your relationship to your happiness?
VERY. If you had ever asked me a few years ago, ‘Did you ever think you would end up with a woman?’, I’d have said no – but I find myself here and I’m very accepting and very, very happy and looking forward to the future.
As I smash headlong into 50, I think it would be great to have a permanent commitment, so I would like us to marry. I don’t think it even crosses Sue’s mind, but I’m a vicar’s daughter and I’m quite traditional.
I’m also thinking quite a lot about having a family and adoption.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
FOR me, it’s: ‘Try to be absolutely comfortable with who you are.’
I’ve got to a stage in my late-40s, where I’m supremely confident with who I am, and I’m OK with being me. That’s a great feeling.
■ Anna’s six-part podcast series Health Fact vs Fiction busts myths around healthcare topics. Available on Apple Podcast and all other podcast platforms.
I have weight gain... irregular periods, aching joints, dry skin, and awful brain fog... That’s a nightmare with my job...