Daisy Ridley diagnosed with Graves' disease after experiencing hot flashes. What to know about the autoimmune disorder

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Daisy Ridley is sharing her experience with Graves’ disease. In a new interview with Women’s Health, the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” star revealed she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder in September 2023.

Ridley says she first visited an endocrinologist after experiencing hot flashes and fatigue. The actress, who also lives with endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome, began feeling unwell after filming the thriller “Magpie.”

“I thought, Well, I’ve just played a really stressful role; presumably that’s why I feel poorly,” she said.

In addition to the hot flashes, Ridley told her doctor that she was experiencing a racing heart rate, weight loss and hand tremors and feeling irritable.

“It was funny, I was like, ‘Oh, I just thought I was annoyed at the world,’ but turns out everything is functioning so quickly, you can’t chill out,” she said.

Following her diagnosis, the 32-year-old actress began taking medication and adopted a gluten-free diet.

“I’ve always been health conscious, and now I’m trying to be more well-being conscious,” she said, adding that she’s adopted acupuncture, cryotherapy and infrared saunas into her routine. “I do a fair amount of the holistic stuff, but I also understand that it is a privilege to be able to do those things.”

What is Graves' disease? Keep reading to learn more about the autoimmune condition and its symptoms.

What is Graves' disease?

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to produce too much thyroid hormone, known as hyperthyroidism.

Approximately 60 to 80 per cent of hyperthyroidism cases are Graves’ disease, and more common in women than men. In addition to the thyroid gland, Graves’ disease can also impact the heart, eyes, skin and liver.

What are the symptoms of Graves' disease?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, many of the symptoms of Graves’ disease develop over weeks or months.

Like hyperthyroidism, symptoms of Graves’ disease can include:

• Rapid heartbeat

• Weight loss

• Increased appetite

• Diarrhea

• Excessive sweating

• Difficulty sleeping

• Feeling nervous/shaky

• Hair loss

• Muscle weakness

• Menstrual changes

• Enlarged thyroid gland

Graves’ disease can also impact the eyes, known as Graves’ orbitopathy. People may experience light sensitivity, blurred vision, pain or pressure in the eyes. Eyes may appear to bulge or feel irritated.

How is Graves' disease diagnosed and treated?

Graves’ disease can be diagnosed through a physical exam and confirmed by blood tests that measure the level of thyroid hormones.

Although it’s possible for Graves’ disease to go into remission, it’s a chronic condition that requires monitoring to ensure hormone levels remain at a healthy level.

Certain medications can help regulate heart rate and reduce thyroid hormone production. While some people may receive radioiodine therapy to destroy thyroid gland cells, others may have surgery to completely remove all or part of their thyroid gland.

What are the long-term health risks of Graves' disease?

If left untreated, Graves' disease can have serious long-term effects on the body. Hyperthyroidism can prevent calcium from being absorbed into the body and can lead to osteoporosis. In addition to brittle bones, it can cause irregular heartbeat, which can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure.

Another potential health risk for under-treated or untreated Graves' disease is thyroid storm, a drastic influx of thyroid hormone, and can occur when someone stops taking their thyroid medications. According to the Mayo Clinic, a thyroid storm constitutes a medical emergency; symptoms include rapid heart rate and high fever and can be life-threatening.

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