"Jane the Virgin" actress Gina Rodriguez opens up about her own personal health crisis. During an interview on "Entertainment Tonight" on Monday, the 29-year-old revealed she was diagnosed with thyroid disease at the age of 19.
After shooting the pilot episode for the CW series, Rodriguez was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is also called autoimmune or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, a disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid.
"While I was shooting the pilot, I was training for a half marathon and I went to see my holistic doctor right after the marathon was done," Rodriguez said. "[She said] 'you have Hashimoto's and to be honest, I don't know how you're standing right now and why you're not asleep. I thought somebody would be bringing you here.'"
The "Our Family Wedding" actress said her doctors were shocked because she has been doing well, despite her condition.
"I was like, 'I just ran a half marathon!' She goes, 'Aren't you tired?' and I was like, 'Yeah, but you get up and push forward!'" the actress recalled. "[its] mind over matter."
Rodriguez plays a 23-year-old virgin who learns that she is pregnant after being accidentally inseminated by her doctor during a routine pap smear. The show also stars Justin Baldoni, Brett Dier and Andrea Navedo.
"Jane the Virgin" airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on the CW Network.
