Mercy Johnson’s Thyroid Issues: Cancer Or Not? This Is What You Should Know

Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie opened up about a serious health scare in a now-viral video featuring veteran actress Joke Silva. Her recent significant weight loss sparked widespread speculation and intense discussions on social media.

The actress responded to the reactions, saying she has accepted public scrutiny and chooses not to be bothered by negative comments. Mercy Johnson explained that she understands why people talk, especially when they notice something unusual. 

“I understand people will talk when they see something strange, and they will also talk even when they don’t see anything strange,” she said with a smile.

Mercy revealed that she had a cancer scare, which led to surgery to remove her thyroid. She described the time as very tough, especially since her youngest child was just six months old then.

She also shared that after the surgery, doctors told her she would need to take medication for life, which comes with its own side effects.

She said, “I had a cancer scare, and I had my thyroid removed. It was like a journey for us because we have kids, and my lastborn was six months old at that time, we [my husband and I] kept saying, we had to understand this is the new us, let’s get the surgery done.

“When we got there, they said that I was going to be on medication for the rest of my life. We had to sit down, they were saying I can’t miss my medication, telling me the side effects. So, I’m reconciling with what you are saying [my weight loss]. I’m at the point where you realise that this is where we are, let’s grow from here and live in this comfort zone.”

What You Should Know About Your Thyroid

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland found at the front of your neck, just beneath the skin. Its primary function is to regulate the speed of your metabolism, which is how your body converts the food you eat into energy. Every cell in your body relies on this energy to operate properly. When the thyroid isn’t functioning as it should, it can affect your entire body.

Can Thyroid Issues Lead to Serious Disease or Cancer?

Thyroid diseases occur when the gland produces either too much or too little of its hormones. If left untreated, some thyroid conditions like nodules or goiters can develop further and, in some cases, become cancerous. 

Thyroid cancer begins when abnormal cells in the gland grow uncontrollably. Early detection and proper management are essential, as the disease can silently progress if unnoticed.

Symptoms Of Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease can present a wide range of symptoms, many of which are commonly mistaken for other medical conditions or even normal stages of life. This can make it difficult to determine whether the symptoms are linked to a thyroid issue or something else entirely.

Common warning signs may include a noticeable lump in the neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or swollen lymph nodes.

Generally, thyroid-related symptoms fall into two categories: those caused by an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and those caused by an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

Symptoms of hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) include:

• Slower heart rate than usual
• Constant fatigue
• Unexplained weight gain
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Dry skin and coarse, brittle hair
• Depressed mood
• Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) include:

• Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Difficulty sleeping
• Unintentional weight loss
• Increased sensitivity to heat
• Clammy or sweaty skin
• Feelings of anxiety, irritability, or nervousness
• Irregular or absent menstrual periods

Recognizing these symptoms early and consulting a healthcare provider is key to effective diagnosis and management.

Treatments For Thyroid Disease

Thyroid conditions can be treated in several ways, depending on the specific diagnosis and severity of the condition. The three primary treatment options include:

• Medication: This is often the first line of treatment for many thyroid disorders. For underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), synthetic thyroid hormones like levothyroxine are used to restore hormone levels. In cases of overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), medications such as methimazole or propylthiouracil (PTU) may be prescribed to reduce hormone production.

• Surgery: Known as a thyroidectomy, this procedure involves the partial or total removal of the thyroid gland. Surgery is typically recommended for cases involving large goiters, thyroid cancer, or when other treatments haven’t been effective.

• Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy: Radioactive iodine therapy is commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism by damaging or destroying overactive thyroid cells, gradually reducing hormone production. In cases of thyroid cancer, external beam radiation or chemotherapy may be used, particularly if the cancer has spread or does not respond to other treatments.