• Actor Daisy Ridley spoke in an interview about her Graves’ disease diagnosis.
• Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition that causes excess thyroid hormone.
• Symptoms can include rapid heartbeat, weight loss, and protruding eyes.
• It might be caused by a genetic predisposition combined with environmental triggers.
• Treatment can involve medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes.

“Star Wars” star Daisy Ridley revealed in the August 6, 2024, issue of Women’s Health that she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in September of 2023.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid, a small gland in the front of the neck often described as being shaped like a butterfly.

Graves’ disease occurs when the immune system begins to attack the thyroid as if it is an outside invader, causing the gland to become overactive. NIDDK explains that this can cause the body’s functions to speed up.

Ridley told the magazine that she first realized that something was not right when she began to experience hot flashes and fatigue after the completion of her movie Magpie, in which she plays a woman involved in a troubled relationship.

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

Upon learning of her symptoms — which also included hand tremors, a racing heart, and weight loss — her primary care doctor referred her to an endocrinologist, who diagnosed her as having the autoimmune condition.

Ridley additionally described to the publication how it felt to finally understand why she had felt so bad: “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.”

Ridley has also previously spoken about her diagnoses of endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which research suggests are linked with a higher risk for Graves’ disease.

What are the symptoms of Graves’ disease?

Micheal O. McKinney, MD, a physician with Healthy Outlook, said that Graves’ disease results in the excessive production of thyroid hormone, a condition known as “hyperthyroidism.”

When this occurs, it can have various metabolic and systemic complications, he explained.

Some of the symptoms you might experience, per McKinney, include:

• Unusual or very fast heartbeats
• Weight loss, even if you eat more than you need
• Anxiety and being easily annoyed
• Trembling hands or fingers
• Inability to tolerate heat accompanied by perspiration for no reason
• Protruding eyes (Graves’ ophthalmopathy)
• Fatigue and muscle weakness
• Enlarged thyroid gland, also known as “goiter”

“It’s worth mentioning that these symptoms develop gradually over time, so they may resemble other illnesses,” he added, “thus demanding specific testing for accurate diagnosis.”

How to reduce your risk of Graves’ disease

John Lowe, MD, a physician at Restore Care, explained that the exact causes of Graves’ disease are unknown.

However, certain factors such as genetic predisposition and environmental triggers may contribute to its occurrence, he said.

To minimize your risk, Lowe said, “Relax through practicing yoga, meditation, and physical exercises effectively.”

“Avoid smoking since it increases the risk and severity of Graves’ ophthalmopathy,” he added. Graves’ ophthalmology is a condition in which swelling around the eyes makes them bulge out.

Additionally, you’ll want to be consistent about getting medical checkups of your thyroid health, especially if you have a family history of thyroid conditions, said Lowe.

Treatments for Graves’ disease

Lowe described several medical treatments for Graves’ disease. Among these are:

• Antithyroid Medications. “These drugs reduce the production of thyroid hormones and may then bring their levels back to normal,” he said.
• Radioactive Iodine Therapy. This treatment involves taking radioactive iodine by mouth in order to destroy the overactive cells, per Lowe.
• Beta-Blockers. “Such medications are useful in managing symptoms like fast heartbeats and tremors,” he said, “but they do not address the underlying cause of hyperthyroidism which is associated with them.”
• Surgery. Lowe said that sometimes, if other treatments haven’t worked or are not appropriate for the patient, it may be necessary to perform a thyroidectomy to remove all or part of the gland.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: “Eating healthy foods, regular exercise, and stress management techniques can help to promote overall well-being as well as alleviate some of the symptoms,” he said.

Lowe concluded by noting that Graves’ disease is treatable through both medical intervention and lifestyle changes.

“It is important to diagnose and treat it early enough since any delay may lead to complications as well as affect one’s quality of life significantly,” he said.

Takeaway

“Star Wars” actress Daisy Ridley revealed in a Women’s Health interview that she had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition that causes an overproduction of thyroid hormone.

It can lead to symptoms of thyroid hormone excess, such as weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and protruding eyes.

The causes of Graves’ disease are unknown, although it may be due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers.

However, it can be treated with medications, surgery, and lifestyle adjustments.