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Unus Alladin

Fans of martial arts superstar Jet Li Lianjie are praying for his health after shocking recent photos revealed the extent of his hyperthyroidism and spinal problems.
The Hollywood icon, who starred in Lethal Weapon 4, Romeo Must Die and more recently Expendables 2, revealed five years ago he has been suffering from hyperthyroidism.


A recent photo of him visiting a temple in Tibet has been widely circulated with many people taken aback by Li’s frail appearance. The photo also showed he had to be assisted while he walked.
Jet Li fans share their personal battles with hyperthyroidism, as martial arts icon’s health problems continue to shock
Last year, the 55-year-old Beijing-born actor spoke about his illness after a long absence from the public eye at One Foundation’s charity dinner in the Chinese capital. 

The actor then said he had been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid in 2010 and although he took medication that kept his illness in check, the condition kept coming back. 
Do you have the same illness haunting Jet Li? What you need to know
Hyperthyroidism causes changes in a person’s metabolism and heart rate and is usually treated through medication. Li says his strong belief in Buddhism as well as meditation and scripture reading help stabilise his condition.


The action star also said a few years ago that he was unable to perform stressful physical activities due to his condition. 
He revealed he had been warned by doctors in 2013 that he “would end up in a wheelchair” if he continued making physically-demanding action films. 

He said at the time: “I’m just a regular guy. I’m not Wong Fei-hung. I’m not Huo Yuanjia [kung fu heroes he has portrayed on film]. I’m just like you.”
Martial arts superstar Jet Li has been plagued by injuries since his teenage days: ‘I’m in pain but I’m not in a wheelchair yet’
The star of the breakout Chinese classic Once Upon a Time in China said he was also suffering from leg and spinal problems and that he was unable to stand straight for too long, his poor health the result of decades of demanding film roles, stunts and injuries. 
How actor Jet Li will overcome his devastating illness
He has been making films since he burst onto the scene as a former national wushu champion while in his teens in the late 1970s.
Li suffered his first major injury at 18 when he tore his knee that required seven-and-a-half hours of surgery. He also sustained a serious back injury at 23.

Netizens were shocked by his recent appearance in Tibet after the photo made the rounds on social media, drawing many comments, mostly of concern for his well-being.
“He was so active before and now he looks like an old man”, said one Chinese netizen. 
“His kung fu is real and his films were great. Pity he’s suffering from this illness”, said another.
“I couldn’t even recognise him”, added another netizen.
One social networker said ageing was a natural process and affects everybody but Li had aged far too much having lived a tough life as an action movie star.




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Jet Li

Is this the same Jet Li we all know? Martial arts legend battles illness and injuries as fans express shock

Martial arts superstar Jet Li before (left) and now. The kung fu action movie star is suffering from spinal problems and hyperthyroidism. Photo: Facebook

Picture for Features, Post Magazine. Jet Li in "Fist of Legend" (1994). UNDATED HANDOUT.

Chinese martial art movie star Jet Li, right, poses with his wax figure during an promotional event for the "One Foundation" charity organization in Hong Kong Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010. Li founded Jet Li One Foundation which helps raise money to fight poverty, and for education, health, environmental protection and disaster relief. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Action movie stars, Jet Li, left, and Jackie Chan, arrive for the world premiere of their movie "The Forbidden Kingdom" in Beijing, China, Wednesday, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Jet Li looks in much better health alongside Jack Ma at Alibaba chairman’s awards ceremony

Jet Li, who looked frail in a visit to Chengdu in summer 2017, appeared in much better health during an appearance at Jack Ma’s 2019 Rural Teacher awards in Sanya. Photos: Twitter/Imaginechina

Chinese martial actor Jet Li, also known as Li Lianjie, attends the presentation ceremony of the 2018 Rural Teacher Awards launched by Jack Ma Foundation in Sanya city, south China's Hainan province, 13 January 2019. Photo Imaginechina

M0M97J Sanya, China. 22nd Jan, 2018. Jack Ma and Jet Li attend class with hundreds of teacher who won 'Jack Ma rural teacher awards' in Sanya, Hainan, China on 22th January 2018.(Photo by TPG/CNS) Credit: TopPhoto/Alamy Live News

Jack Ma or Ma Yun, Chairman of Alibaba Group, weeps as he attends the 2018 Rural Teacher Awards launched by Jack Ma Foundation in Sanya city, south China's Hainan province, 13 January 2019. Photo Imaginechina

Chinese volleyball player Hui Ruoqi gives a lesson to village teachers during the 2018 Rural Teacher Awards launched by Jack Ma Foundation in Sanya city, south China's Hainan province, 13 January 2019. Photo Imaginechina

Jet Li photo with daughters paints contrasting picture to Jackie Chan’s turbulent family life

Jet Li and Jackie Chan with their respective families. Photos: Instagram/Handout

Jackie Chan's 19-year-old daughter Etta Ng Chok-lam announced on her instagram account that she has married her 31-year-old Canadian internet celebrity girlfriend Andi Autumn. Picture shows the photo on her Instagram. 26NOV18. Source: Instagram

Action star Jet Li (L) and wife Nina arrive as guests for the premiere of the new action film "The Hulk" in Los Angeles June 17, 2003. The film, based on the popular comic book character, stars Eric Bana as the Hulk and opens June 20 in the United States. REUTERS/Fred Prouser REUTERS

Hong Kong entertainer Jackie Chan (R) poses with his son Jaycee Fong Jo Ming as they take part in a press conference for Chan's concert at Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium, the centrepiece of the 2008 Olympic Games, in Beijing on April 1, 2009. Chan, who is best-known for his often hilarious martial arts comedies, has starred in Hollywood blockbusters such as "Rush Hour" and takes a lead role in this year's "Shinjuku Incident". AFP PHOTO / AFP PHOTO / STR [02APRIL2017 POST MAGAZINE PROJECTOR]

(L-R) Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan, with his wife Lin Feng-Jiao and his son Jaycee Chan (right) during a stars concert to celebrate his 60th birthday in Beijing, China, 6 April 2014.

Jaycee Chan attend trial at the Dongcheng District People's Court in Beijing, capital of China. Jaycee Chan, son of kung fu star Jackie Chan, was sentenced to six months in jail on Friday for drug offenses in Beijing.

Never Grow Up cover

(080318) -- HONG KONG, March 18, 2008 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong movie stars Jackie Chan (R) and Jet Li attend a news conference for their new movie "The Forbidden Kingdom" in Hong Kong, South China, March 18, 2008. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) (wjd/wcy)

Jet Li poses with daughters for Christmas Day picture in rare glimpse into private life

Jet Li (centre) with his daughters Jane (left) and Jada. Photo: Instagram

Jet Li and friend visit a temple in Tibet

Jet Li with his daughters when they were younger.

‘I’m feeling great’: martial arts legend Jet Li breaks his silence after his shocking photos

Jet Li’s photo on his Facebook page. Photo: Facebook

Jet Li in Fearless

Jet Li fans share their personal battles with hyperthyroidism, as martial arts icon’s health problems continue to shock

While news of the wushu legend’s illness and injuries spread across the world, some South China Morning Post readers have detailed their own experiences of the debilitating condition

Chinese action star Jet Li smiles as he speaks to reporters on January 25, 2011, at the 21st Iave World Volunteer Conference, in Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. Chinese kungfu star Jet Li publicly confirmed that he had become a Singaporean citizen, saying he wanted his children to receive a bilingual education in the city-state. AFP PHOTO Simin WANG / AFP PHOTO / SIMIN WANG [FEATURES HEALTH]

Martial arts superstar Jet Li before and present. The kung fu action movie star is suffering from spinal problems and hyperthyroidism. Photo: Facebook

Jet Li with Chinese TV hostess Lu Yu having a meal together

Jet Li and friend visit a temple in Tibet. Photo: Weibo

I know Jet Li’s pain: Model-actress Christine Kuo is healthy again after hypothyroidism hell

Christine Kuo

Jet Li and hyperthyroidism: what you should know about the illness haunting martial arts superstar

A recent photo of martial arts superstar Jet Li, who has struggled with hyperthyroidism and spinal problems as a result of decades of tough movie-making. Photo: Steven Chasman

--LOW RES-- Handout image shows Professor Karen Lam Siu-ling. [FEATURES HEALTH] CREDIT / Courtesy of Karen Lam Siu-ling

BK3118 OPRAH WINFREY VANITY FAIR PARTY 2007 MORTONS HOLLYWOOD LOS ANGELES USA 25 February 2007 [25MAY2018 HEALTH FEATURES] CREDIT / ALAMY

KFT1W5 Human Thyroid Gland Anatomy Illustration [25MAY2018 HEALTH FEATURES] CREDIT / ALAMY

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Martial Arts

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The 55-year-old action star, who starred in Lethal Weapon 4 and Expendables 2, is suffering from hyperthyroidism and spinal problems, drawing concern from netizens


Martial arts