Missy Elliott: I'm battling Graves' Disease

Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott has been out of the spotlight for three years. Now, in an interview with People magazine, she reveals the reason behind her absence from the music scene: She is battling Graves' Disease.

"You live with it for the rest of your life," Elliott tells People of the disease.

Graves' Disease is an autoimmune illness that affects the thyroid. Elliott, 39, was diagnosed with it in 2008. First, the disease affected her motor skills and symptoms such as dizzy spells, mood swings, hair loss, bulging eyes and lumps in her throat followed. 

Elliott tells People she is feeling better after undergoing radiation combined with medication. "I'm 30 lbs. lighter because I've been exercising," the Grammy winner says. "My thyroid is functioning, so I haven't had to take medication in about nine months."

Elliott is the subject of VH1's "Behind the Music" on Wednesday, June 29.