How Joey Graziadei Manages His Liver Condition With ‘DWTS’

Joey Graziadei’s journey on “Dancing With the Stars” has been both exhilarating and captivating, but fans are wondering how his liver condition is affecting his time on the ABC competition show.

Diagnosed with Gilbert syndrome during high school, Graziadei recently revealed that, despite the diagnosis, his overall health is stable. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an estimated 3% to 7% of Americans are affected by Gilbert’s syndrome, a liver disorder that tends to be more prevalent in males than females. This condition can impact individuals of all ages, races, and ethnicities.

Due to the side effects associated with Gilbert syndrome, Joey Graziadei consumes an impressive amount of water to effectively manage his liver condition–but does it affect his “Dancing With the Stars” experience?

The Cleveland Clinic states that Gilbert’s syndrome “affects the liver’s ability to process bilirubin,” a substance produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. This impairment makes individuals with Gilbert’s syndrome more prone to jaundice.

In light of this, Graziadei drinks an impressive amount of water to manage his liver condition, but he assures fans that it does not impact his experience on “Dancing With the Stars.” Instead, staying hydrated has become a vital part of his routine, helping him maintain energy and focus throughout the competition.

“Joey drinks a lot of water. I think more than the normal human,” Graziadei’s partner Jenna Johnson told People. “I don’t really drink water, so it’s always shocking to me. I’m like, ‘Wow, he can drink a lot and if I drink a sip of water, I got to pee immediately. And he doesn’t really have to pee that well.”

“I don’t,” Joey told the outlet. “If my liver needs it, it’s just soaking it all up,” he added on his water intake.

As the Cleveland Clinic explains, Gilbert’s syndrome is an inherited condition; however, “people with Gilbert’s syndrome can lead long, healthy lives. They don’t experience long-term health problems from the disease.”

Nonetheless, physical exertion, stress, and dehydration can heighten the risk of developing jaundice.

Earlier this year, after fans continuously commented on the “Bachelor” star’s yellow eyes, Graziadei shared his diagnosis with the world. “I have something called Gilbert’s syndrome with my liver and I try to be good about it,” he told People. “I do drink probably like four to five full things of water during practice.”

He also addressed it on social media, telling his fans, “I wanted to jump on here really quick and talk about something that I’m seeing a lot of comments about, which is Joey’s yellow eyes.”

“So to give some context on that.” he continued, “I have to go all the way back to when I was in high school. I was sick for about a week and a half, and my mom thought it would be a good idea to go to the doctor.”

The reality television star went on to explain that during the visit, blood tests revealed a significantly high bilirubin count, which indicated potential issues with his liver. He subsequently underwent ultrasound examinations and sought consultations with other medical professionals.

“They found out that there was nothing necessarily wrong, like hepatitis,” he said. “But they diagnosed me with something called Gilbert syndrome.”

“It’s worse when I have stress or lack of sleep, which happens on a TV show,” Graziadei said of his own experience. “It’s just something that I have to pay attention to in drinking more fluids.”

“At the end of the day, I am told that I am healthy,” the reality star added. “It’s something that does affect the whites of my eyes, giving them that jaundiced appearance. It’s something I want to pay more attention to going into this year. I want to ensure my health is optimal. But I wanted to provide some background and reassure you that to my knowledge, I am healthy.”

Joey Graziadei expressed his gratitude to fans for their concerns regarding his health and well-being.

“I do appreciate everyone looking out for me and wondering if I’m OK, but to my knowledge, I’m as OK as can be, and I will continue to monitor it. So thank you very much,” he concluded.

If you are experiencing jaundice, the Mayo Clinic recommends consulting a healthcare provider, as it can have a variety of potential causes.