LOS ANGELES, Aug 7: Actress Daisy Ridley has disclosed her recent diagnosis of Graves' disease in a new interview featured in the September/October issue of Women's Health. This marks the first time the 32-year-old star has publicly addressed her condition, which she learned about in September 2023.

Ridley, known for her role in Star Wars, had previously shared her struggles with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. In the interview, she details her journey from initially attributing her symptoms to the stress of her role in the psychological thriller Magpie to discovering she had Graves' disease.

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that impacts the thyroid gland, leading to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ridley’s symptoms included hot flashes, fatigue, hand tremors, a racing heart rate, and weight loss, which led her to seek medical advice.

She first consulted her general practitioner, who suggested she visit an endocrinologist. The specialist's observation that her symptoms resembled those of a condition described as "tired but wired" resonated with Ridley. “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 reflected.

While there is no cure for Graves' disease, Ridley is managing her condition through a combination of daily medication, a gluten-free diet, and mindful lifestyle changes. "I am not super strict about it, but generally cutting down on gluten makes me feel better,” she noted. Ridley, who has been vegan for a year, has also incorporated regular exercise, acupuncture, massages, infrared saunas, and cryotherapy into her routine.

Reflecting on her new approach to health, Ridley said, “I didn’t realize how bad I felt before. Then I looked back and thought, 'How did I do that?'” She emphasized the importance of listening to one’s body and acknowledged the broader issue of undiagnosed or underdiagnosed conditions affecting many women.

Ridley, who is currently portraying Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle in the film Young Woman and the Sea, expressed a hopeful outlook. “In the grand scheme of things, it’s much less severe than what a lot of people go through. But 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],” she said.