Dame Maggie Smith, an actress known for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, died aged 89 on Friday 27th September, leaving a legacy of remarkable performances.
Her sons, through a spokesperson, expressed their sorrow, writing: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
Maggie had previously fought Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that can lead to serious health problems including heart failure, reports Gloucestershire Live.
This condition, which results in an overproduction of thyroid hormones, had presented significant health challenges for the celebrated actress, according to the Express.
The immune system can sometimes malfunction, producing antibodies that interfere with the thyroid cells and cause excessive hormone production, as highlighted by the Mayo Clinic.
Dame Maggie faced the daunting health challenge at the age of 33 while crafting her play Lettice. She suffered from severe symptoms including Graves’ ophthalmopathy, a complication experienced by a third of individuals with Graves disease.
During an interview with The New York Times, the actress described the alarming changes she observed as her eyes severely irritated her and became noticeably bulging with swelling. These symptoms, she said, led to an “absolutely frightening” appearance.
Reflecting on the tough time that came after a cycling mishap resulting in a broken arm, Maggie said: “It’s been kind of like a fog of despair, really.”
She added: “It was ghastly having a broken arm; ghastly with the play, letting everybody down; and on top of that, I looked absolutely frightening, and didn’t know which way to turn.”
Battling through a rough patch, Dame Maggie endured extensive treatments for Graves’ disease, involving radiotherapy and corrective eye surgery. She reportedly spent a full year in seclusion recuperating.
For those grappling with Graves’ disease, common medical intervention includes radiotherapy, particularly via radioactive iodine uptake. This is absorbed by the thyroid gland, crucial for hormone production.
According to the Mayo Clinic, this form of therapy aims to reduce the thyroid size, ultimately bringing symptom relief progressively over time.
The website has cautioned individuals on the potential dangers of a certain medical intervention, writing: “Radioiodine therapy may increase your risk of new or worsened symptoms of Graves’ ophthalmopathy.”
In cases where patients are grappling with Graves’ ophthalmopathy, there’s variation in how radiotherapy is applied. Targeting the space behind the eyeball, orbital radiotherapy utilises X-ray sessions to alleviate inflammation.
The surgery Maggie underwent resulted in bruising around her eyes indicating the procedure’s intensity. This surgical route can entail either a partial or total thyroidectomy, typically recommended by the NHS when a severe ocular condition persists or alternative therapies fail to make an impact.