Denise Richards: Real Housewives star thanks viewers for spotting thyroid problem during show

Actress says she has removed gluten from her diet to treat the issue

Denise Richards has expressed her gratitude to fans after they noticed her thyroid looked swollen and informed the actress.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was appearing on a reunion episode when viewers realised her she may be suffering from a health issue from the size of her neck.

According to the 48-year-old, she took the comments seriously and has changed her diet to eliminate gluten in the hopes of targeting the problem.

“A few of you pointed out after the #RHOBH reunion that my thyroid was enlarged,” Richards wrote on Instagram. “You were right, it was something I ignored until pointed out.

“I had no idea how much our diet really can affect our body and for me how toxic gluten really is… I thank all of you who sent me messages #selfcare.”

In the comments, fellow actress Kelly Kruger also praised the benefits of omitting gluten, writing: “Going gluten-free completely changed my life. Cleared up my skin, more energy etc. best thing you can do.”

An enlarged thyroid, also known as a goiter, is one of the most common thyroid disorders. If the swelling is severe, the NHS recommends seeing a doctor, who will examine the swelling and decide whether a thyroid function test is required.

According to the NHS, a lack of iodine in the body is one of the common reasons for an enlarged thyroid. To treat the thyroid issues, surgery or thyroid hormone replacement may be required.

In 2013, HGTV host Tarek El Moussa of Flip or Flop followed the advice of one viewer who noticed he had a lump on his neck and suggested to producers he get it checked out.

After seeking medical advice, the reality show host found out through a biopsy that he had stage-2 thyroid cancer and began receiving the necessary treatment.

Earlier this year, Inside Edition anchor Deborah Norville also underwent surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid nodule from her neck after it was spotted by viewers.