Actress Daisy Ridley reveals battle with Graves’ Disease

Photo Courtesy: @daisyridley | Instagram

32-YEAR-OLD ACTRESS Daisy Ridley, best known as Rey from the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, revealed in an interview with Women’s Health Magazine that she has been diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, which is an autoimmune disorder wherein there is overactivity in the thyroid.

She shares that she was diagnosed back in September of 2023, after filming “Magpie”; her general practitioner had told her to see an endocrinologist due to experiencing hot flashes and fatigue on numerous occasions.

Aside from this, she also experienced a racing heart rate, weight loss, as well as hand tremors, and irritability.

“As someone who takes good care of herself physically, it felt to her like a random blow,” wrote Samantha Leal.

Despite this diagnosis, Ridley has been taking the news like a champ, sharing that it has given her a renewed sense of body awareness.

It has also helped to serve as a reminder that not everything can be anticipated, as she’d early on been rather irritated that she got the disease despite having always been health-conscious.

“In the grand scheme of things, it’s much less severe than what a lot of people go through,” she’d 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].”

Ridley has since been dealing with her diagnosis through a new workout and diet regimen, as well as a newfound appreciation for life overall.

In the past, the star has also been diagnosed with endometriosis, as well as polycystic ovaries.

She’s not alone in her battle though; many Filipino celebrities, such as Angel Locsin, Miles Ocampo, Bea Alonzo, Michelle Madrigal, and Shaina Magdayao, have also been diagnosed with different thyroid diseases in the past as well.

About Graves’ Disease

As per the Mayo Clinic, this immune system condition affects the thyroid gland, in that it causes the body to make too much thyroid hormone. This may then negatively affect the other organs in the body.

They add that this is a disease rather common for women, as well as for people older than 30.

Aside from the symptoms felt by Ridley, some other symptoms are the following:

Difficulty sleeping
Erectile dysfunction / lower sex drive
Changes in menstrual cycle
Frequent bowel movements
Enlarged thyroid gland / goiter
Sensitivity to heat
Thick, discolored skin (Graves’ dermopathy)
Bulging eyes (Graves’ ophthalmopathy)

If one were to start experiencing these symptoms, it would be best to see a healthcare professional immediately to get diagnosed and get the medical attention you need.

Gaby Agbulos

Gaby Agbulos wants nothing more than to become a writer -- to be able to tell stories unheard of by the masses. She is currently majoring in Communication at the University of Santo Tomas, and after college, hopes to make an impact with the stories she writes, be it big or small.