Dani Harmer, who played Tracy Beaker, revealed she was suffering troubling symptoms as she asked fans for advice
Dani Harmer revealed a diagnosis has left her with troubling symptoms(Image: Dani Harmer TikTok)
Dani Harmer has shocked fans by revealing she’s been diagnosed with perimenopause.
The actress, now 36, is best known for her work as a former child star playing Tracy Beaker in the popular TV series from 2002 to 2005 and several spin-offs, shared that she had been taking HRT for 18 months to combat symptoms.
But she is still struggling with hair loss and turned to social media for advice from her fans as she opened up about the diagnosis.
Read more Wynne Evans makes bombshell claim over BBC Strictly apology and Katya ‘grab’
In a candid video on her TikTok page, Dani said: “I have been diagnosed with perimenopause.
“And what I need your help with is my hair. I am losing it like it is thinning so badly like you can see like the bald patches coming in but just like the texture. It’s thinning – it’s bad right.”
She then pondered whether she should get hair extensions, expressing her concern that they might exacerbate the condition of her tresses.
“It could be a terrible idea,” Dani continued. “It might make my hair even worse to be honest but it’s really getting me down now!”
As for how she was diagnosed with perimenopause, Dani revealed it was her husband Simon who first noticed that her “whole personality had pretty much changed”.
In addition to an increase in her depression and anxiety, she experienced severe “brain fog”, night sweats and sleep interruptions.
“There was just too much to ignore,” Dani conceded.
She headed to her GP and was swiftly given a diagnosis by a female doctor, alongside blood tests to exclude any other conditions.
“I felt like I was being possessed by someone else, it was horrible – I was just getting deeper and deeper into a dark depression,” she explained with a sigh of relief.
“So I’m really glad that I went and I got help. My doctor was more than happy to put me on HRT.”
Dani reported that after about 18 months on HRT, she “feels like myself again”.
Additionally, she’s managed to shed the weight she gained during lockdown.
Despite occasionally experiencing the “odd hot flush and stuff”, hair loss is the only persistent side effect she’s faced.
Dani wrapped up her video with an offer to help answer queries about perimenopause.
“I’m definitely no expert at all! But if anyone has any questions I’ll try and answer using my experiences,” she added.
Fans lauded Dani for openly discussing her battle with perimenopause.
“I think I’m suffering with perimenopause too!” admitted one user. “Kinda scary as I’m 34, but this video makes me feel so much better about it.”
Another said: “Thanks so much for talking about it. I’ve felt so alone and confused at times with it!!”.
Another individual confessed their shock upon learning that Dani could be experiencing perimenopause, as they still pictured her as the teenage Tracy Beaker, exclaiming: “Whaaaaat? You’re about 17yrs old!”.