'Bachelorette' star Ryan Sutter reveals he's battling Lyme disease

"The Bachelorette" season 1 winner Ryan Sutter appeared on Thursday's episode of his wife Trista's "Better Etc." podcast to reveal the unknown illness he's been dealing with since early last year has finally been diagnosed as Lyme disease, among other things.

"The main diagnosis is Lyme disease with mold toxicity and some underlying co-infections, whether it's Epstein-Barr, COVID, things like that," the 46-year-old reality star said. "The best way to combat those things is to utilize my systems, to utilize my immune system."

Sutter, who explained that he "started feeling unwell" over a year ago, described his symptoms, saying "my body would itch for no reason -- no rash, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, night sweats, fevers, really deep bone aches and muscle aches, joint aches, periods of extreme fatigue, almost paralyzing fatigue."

The couple, who met on "The Bachelorette" and have been married since 2003, added that Lyme disease was on the list of possible causes, but doctors couldn't reach a consensus, explaining that sometimes a positive result could ultimately prove to be false.

Further complicating matters was the fact that Sutter, who works as a firefighter, is "susceptible to toxins" and faces a higher risk of exposure to these toxins in his profession.

Sutter, who previously tested positive for mold toxicity, explained that it can be very difficult on the immune system.

To combat his Lyme disease, Sutter said he is rebuilding his immune system through diet, supplements and physical therapy.

He said he's "more optimistic than I have been in a long time."