Joe Manganiello has revealed that he endured a seven-year struggle with serious autoimmune-related illnesses that resulted in a life-saving organ amputation, according to details shared ahead of the release of his forthcoming memoir, Bloodlines.

The 49-year-old actor opens up about a prolonged health crisis that affected multiple parts of his body, including his thyroid, digestive system, skin, lungs and eyes.

The memoir synopsis describes a “cascade of autoimmune-related illnesses” that left doctors unable to provide clear answers about the cause of his condition.

During the lengthy ordeal, Manganiello faced chronic pain, ongoing medical complications and what the book describes as “a life-saving organ amputation, existential crisis and a prolonged fight for survival that left doctors with few answers and no clear explanation”.

As traditional medical explanations remained elusive, the actor explored alternative approaches in an effort to improve his health. According to the memoir, he turned to “shamans, pagan rituals, ancient myths, long-lost family records and the rebirth of his own spirituality”.

His search for answers also led him to investigate his family history, uncovering stories of ancestors who survived the Armenian genocide and others who lived with chronic illnesses.

Reflecting on the experience, Manganiello told People, “It was the most brutally difficult time of my life, one I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, but also my greatest adventure.”

He added, “I hope that what I went through on this journey can give readers hope that answers and healing may lie for them on the other side of whatever they are fighting through.”

Bloodlines is scheduled for release on October 13. The memoir is expected to provide a detailed account of the actor’s health challenges, personal discoveries and recovery journey.