What is Graves’ Disease? Actress Daisy Ridley Reveals Diagnosis

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Actress Daisy Ridley, known for her role as Rey Skywalker in the Star Wars universe and more recently as Trudy Ederle in Young Woman and the Sea, has spoken candidly about her diagnosis of Graves’ disease.

“It was funny. I thought, ‘Oh, I thought I was just annoyed with the world,’ but it turns out everything is happening so fast, you can’t relax,” she told Women’s Health Magazine.

Ridley experienced “hot flashes and fatigue” and went to see an endocrinologist. She also had other symptoms, including a rapid heart rate, weight loss and hand tremors. She was diagnosed in September 2023, the publication said.

Who else said they have Graves’ disease?

Lucia Stafford, a Canadian runner competing in track and field at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in high school. The 25-year-old from London, Ontario, spoke to Running Magazine about it in 2018.

“The symptoms include weight loss, anxiety, increased heart rate, asthma attacks and fatigue. I couldn’t complete my workouts or keep up with my prescribed pace. I felt terrible,” she told the publication.

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Stafford underwent surgery to remove her thyroid in November 2019 and was positive about taking time off during her recovery.

“It actually turned out to be a nice change from the competition,” she said. “I have to take a hormone pill every day for the rest of my life, but my body is much more predictable than before. There shouldn’t be any surprises now.”

What is Graves’ disease?

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, according to a webpage about it on the Mount Sinai Health System website. The thyroid gland releases hormones that control metabolism, which is crucial for “regulating mood, weight, and mental and physical energy levels,” according to Mount Sinai.

When too much thyroid hormone is released, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, including anxiety, sleep problems, hair loss, muscle weakness in the hips and shoulders, frequent bowel movements, increased appetite (during weight loss), irregular menstruation in women, trembling hands, rapid or irregular heartbeat, heat intolerance, and shortness of breath with exertion.

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According to Mount Sinai, Graves’ disease is most common in women over the age of 20. However, the condition can occur at any age and also affects men.

It can also affect the eyes. According to the nonprofit medical center Cleveland Clinic, Graves’ disease can cause gritty, irritated eyes, swelling, light sensitivity, pressure or pain in the eyes, and blurred vision. It can also cause bulging eyes.

The disease itself is named after Irish physician Robert Graves who described the condition in the 19th century, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

There are treatments available with medication or even surgery to control symptoms, but there is no cure, according to researchers at Yale Medicine.

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