Daisy Ridley has revealed that she’s been diagnosed with Graves’ disease.
The “Star Wars” actress admitted that the diagnosis came somewhat as a surprise to her after she initially brushed her symptoms off and assumed they were a result of a stressful acting role.
Ridley, 32, revealed that she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder in Sept. 2023 after experiencing hot flashes, a racing heart rate, weight loss, and fatigue.
The disease also causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone and often results in hand tremors.
“I thought, ‘Well, I’ve just played a really stressful role; presumably that’s why I feel poorly,’” she told Women’s Health, referring to her role in the 2024 film “Magpie.”
“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 said her doctor described the symptoms she was experiencing as “tired but wired.”
She has since overhauled her lifestyle by implementing a slew of health changes, including cryotherapy and acupuncture.
“I am not super strict about it, but generally cutting down on gluten makes me feel better,” the actress told the outlet. “I didn’t realize how bad I felt before. Then I looked back and thought, ‘How did I do that?’”
Ridley, who has been following the vegan diet for years, added that she also dabbles in infrared saunas and massages.
“I’ve always been health conscious, and now I’m trying to be more well-being conscious,” she said.
“We all read the stats about women being undiagnosed or under-diagnosed and sort of coming to terms with saying, ‘I really, actually don’t feel good’ and not going, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine.’ It’s just normalized to not feel good.”
Admitting that her diagnosis may be “much less severe than what a lot of people go through” in “the grand scheme of things,” Ridley said, “Even if you can deal with it, you shouldn’t have to. If there’s a problem, you shouldn’t have to just [suffer through it].”
In addition to Graves’ disease, Ridley revealed in January that she had developed stomach ulcers after landing the leading role in the “Star Wars” franchise.
What’s more, the actress also struggles with endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
