Ireland AM star Muireann O'Connell lifts lid on health condition diagnosis in honest update

Ireland AM star Muireann O'Connell has opened up about a recent health diagnosis, admitting she has been struggling with the changes.

The popular presenter revealed she has been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, the same condition her mum has.

"So, on the thyroid and the weight gain, I was diagnosed just like my mother with an underactive thyroid," she said.

"It hasn't even been a month yet for me, I haven't gone through a full pack of L-Thyroxine yet."

Muireann explained that she now takes medication every morning, saying she takes it "first thing in the morning."

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Despite keeping active, she admitted she has noticed frustrating changes.

"Now, I have been doing my classes, and I've gone back to running, and I'm definitely out walking.

"It says online that it could be some water retention or that my dosage just isn't right yet.

"I'm not fitting into any of my clothes, so that's annoying."

She also joked that her mum has been keeping an eye on her and she has leaned on her for advice.

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"I should say that Marie is a nurse, and we treat her as our primary care physician. We literally have doctors in the family, but we still ask Marie."

An underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism, is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones.

According to the HSE, common symptoms include tiredness, weight gain and low mood, and the condition is typically treated using hormone tablets to replace what the body is not making.

While there is no way to prevent it, most cases are caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid or damage to the gland following treatment for other thyroid conditions.