Actress Daisy Ridley recently shared her journey with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. In a cover story for Women's Health, Ridley revealed that she was diagnosed with the condition last September. The Star Wars actress first noticed something was wrong with her health while filming the thriller Magpie, attributing her symptoms to the stress of her role.
After experiencing issues such as a racing heart rate, weight loss, fatigue, and tremors, Ridley's general practitioner advised her to see an endocrinologist. It was during this visit that she learned about Graves' disease, which can cause symptoms such as feeling tired but wired due to the body producing too much thyroid hormone.
Since her diagnosis, Ridley has incorporated daily medication into her routine and embraced various wellness practices like infrared saunas, cryotherapy, massages, acupuncture, and a gluten-free diet to manage her symptoms. While she admits to not strictly adhering to the diet, Ridley noted that reducing gluten intake has made her feel better.
Graves' disease, as described by the Mayo Clinic, is an immune system disorder that leads to hyperthyroidism by causing the body to overproduce thyroid hormone. While the condition can affect anyone, it is more commonly found in women and individuals over the age of 30.
Ridley joins other celebrities like Wendy Williams in raising awareness about Graves' disease. Williams, who also has the condition, took a break from her talk show in 2018 to focus on her health. By sharing her story, Ridley hopes to educate others about autoimmune disorders and encourage those experiencing similar symptoms to seek medical attention.
