“Star Wars” actor Daisy Ridley revealed in a new interview that she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease. The 32-year-old told Women’s Health magazine in an interview published Tuesday that she was diagnosed in September 2023 after experiencing bouts of hot flashes and fatigue.
She said she started to feel ill after filming the thriller “Magpie,” in which she plays Anette, a stay-at-home mother whose husband falls in love with a famous actress.
‘Star Wars’ trilogy star Daisy Ridley opens Up about Graves’ disease
https://t.co/CCTaONYmYr— Rolling Stone UK (@RollingStoneUK) August 7, 2024
“I thought, ‘Well, I’ve just played a really stressful role; presumably that’s why I feel poorly,'” she told the magazine.
An endocrinologist explained to her that her symptoms, which included weight loss, hand tremors, fatigue, and a racing heart, were signs of the autoimmune disease.
Graves’ disease affects the thyroid gland and causes hyperthyroidism, when the body produces too much thyroid hormone, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anyone can get the disease but it mainly affects women and people over 30 years old.
Other celebrities diagnosed with the disease include Wendy Williams and Missy Elliott.
Ridley, who has opened up in the past about her battle with endometriosis, said her Graves’ disease diagnosis made her sad at first, but also pushed her to develop a stricter diet and to listen to her body. The actor has been vegan for years, but stopped eating gluten after her diagnosis.
Daisy Ridley Opens Up About Graves’ Disease and Swim Training https://t.co/QQs3FvuwYO
— NewsWall (@newswall_org) August 7, 2024
“I am not super strict about it, but generally cutting down on gluten makes me feel better,” she said.
Treatment for the disease includes radioactive iodine therapy, where the patient takes radioactive iodine by mouth to destroy the cells that make thyroid hormones, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anti-thyroid medicines that block the thyroid from using iodine to make hormones and beta blockers, which block the effect of hormones on the body, are also other treatment options.
Reducing stress and developing a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and a well-balanced diet, can ease symptoms as a patient undergoes treatment, the clinic said.
Ridley said she’s always been “health conscious, and now I’m trying to be more well-being conscious.” The actor said she’s intentional about getting rest when her body is tired and has started doing cryotherapy, acupuncture, and going to infrared saunas.
#Movies Daisy Ridley opens up about Graves’ disease diagnosis https://t.co/NujR9MtTLj
— Adam (@Toyertoys5) August 7, 2024
“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,” she told the magazine.
Key Points:
i. Daisy Ridley diagnosed with Graves’ disease: The “Star Wars” actor was diagnosed in September 2023 after experiencing symptoms like hot flashes and fatigue.
ii. Symptoms and impact: Ridley initially thought her illness was due to a stressful role, but an endocrinologist confirmed the autoimmune disease. Her symptoms included weight loss, hand tremors, and a racing heart.
iii. Lifestyle adjustments: The diagnosis led Ridley to adopt a stricter diet and to listen more to her body. Already vegan, she has now also cut down on gluten to feel better.
iv. Treatment and holistic approaches: Ridley is undergoing treatments that include radioactive iodine therapy and anti-thyroid medications. She also practices holistic methods like cryotherapy, acupuncture, and using infrared saunas.
v. Awareness and self-care: Ridley emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle and reducing stress, acknowledging the privilege of being able to access holistic treatments. She strives to balance health consciousness with overall well-being.
Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
