The Biggest Loser’s Tiffiny Hall reveals her long-term health battle

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The Biggest Loser’s Tiffiny Hall reveals her long-term health battle – and announces she’s taking a step back from social media to recover

By Monique Friedlander For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

The Biggest Loser trainer Tiffiny Hall has lifted the lid on her private battle with a debilitating genetic illness. 

Posting to Instagram on Monday, the 36-year-old revealed she’d undergone ‘a gazillion tests to figure out what could be wrong’ before finally being diagnosed with two genetic blood pressure conditions known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME and POTS. 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / ME (myalgic Encephalomyelitis) is a disease characterised by extreme exhaustion, sleep abnormalities and, in some cases, pain.  

‘I’ve decided to share something very personal with you today’: The Biggest Loser trainer Tiffiny Hall, 36, (pictured) lifted the lid on her long-term battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME and POTS in an Instagram post on Monday 

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is an illness that affects the flow of blood to the top of the body, with symptoms including lightheadedness, fainting and rapid heartbeat.  

In her caption, Tiffiny wrote: ‘Okay, deep breath. I’ve decided to share something very personal with you today. For some time now I’ve been battling a little with my health. A lot actually.’ 

Tiffiny admitted she’s struggled to accept her condition, and has ‘felt like she’s hit rock bottom at times’. 

Diagnosis: Posting to Instagram on Monday, the 36-year-old revealed she'd undergone 'a gazillion tests to figure out what could be wrong' before finally being diagnosed with the genetic blood pressure conditions

Diagnosis: Posting to Instagram on Monday, the 36-year-old revealed she’d undergone ‘a gazillion tests to figure out what could be wrong’ before finally being diagnosed with the genetic blood pressure conditions

‘While I’m staying positive, recovery is tough and will mean taking a break for a little while to get well again,’ she continued. 

‘This is one of the hardest decisions, but I have to practise what I teach. For now, I’m prioritising recovery and family, and hopefully will be back in no time.’ 

The personal trainer assured her fans that her online fitness community TIFFXO would still run in future, but that her social media engagement may be ‘less frequent’. 

'For now, I'm prioritising recovery and family': The personal trainer assured her fans that her online fitness community TIFFXO would still run in future, but that her social media engagement may be 'less frequent'. Pictured with husband Ed Kavalee, 41, and their son Arnold, three

‘For now, I’m prioritising recovery and family’: The personal trainer assured her fans that her online fitness community TIFFXO would still run in future, but that her social media engagement may be ‘less frequent’. Pictured with husband Ed Kavalee, 41, and their son Arnold, three

‘Coaching you is a great privilege that I never take for granted, so TIFFXO will keep kicking with fun new workouts I shot recently hitting the planner soon (perfect timing!), fabulous trainers (another newbie on the way), and Team Tiff standing by,’ she wrote.  

‘Sure, 2021 has had a bit of the 2020’s about it for me so far, but I’m looking forward to getting on top of this and being able to give 110% again.’ 

The mother-of-one also spoke to News.com.au about her condition on Monday, revealing that she first experienced symptoms of Chronic Fatigue in high school.

'After being in remission for over 20 years up until now, I'm confident I can beat it again': The mother-of-one also spoke to News.com.au about her condition on Monday, revealing that she first experienced symptoms of Chronic Fatigue in high school

‘After being in remission for over 20 years up until now, I’m confident I can beat it again’: The mother-of-one also spoke to News.com.au about her condition on Monday, revealing that she first experienced symptoms of Chronic Fatigue in high school

‘It’s very common for CFS to re-present itself over time, but after being in remission for over 20 years up until now, I’m confident I can beat it again,’ she vowed. 

Tiffiny also said she’s received an overwhelmingly positive response to Monday’s Instagram post.

‘I’m feeling truly grateful for all of the support and love I’ve received since sharing this very sensitive news,’ she said.   

What is Chronic Fatigue/ ME and POTS? 

Chronic Fatigue   

Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME (myalgic Encephalomyelitis) causes extreme fatigue. 

Doctors are yet to understand the causes of the illness. There is currently no cure for the debilitating illness but there are treatments which could help the symptoms.

One of the most common symptoms is unexplained and overwhelming tiredness despite minimal physical or mental effort 

Other symptoms include headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, sore throat, loss of memory or poor concentration, not feeling refreshed after being asleep, enlarged lymph nodes and unusual tiredness after exercise. 

POTS  

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, causing blood vessels not to respond efficiently to the signal to tighten. 

When a patient with POTS is upright, blood pools in the lower half of the body, and not enough returns to the brain.

This can cause a variety of symptoms including increased heart rate, shakiness, lightheadedness, fainting, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, intolerance of exercise, headache, blurry vision, palpitations, excessive sweating, and nausea.