It has been a brutal few weeks. From suspecting that the symptoms of hyperthyroidism were returning, having it confirmed and then my body becoming overwhelmed. I’ve never before felt that ill and that scared. Fortunately, modern medicine is an amazing thing and it soon started working its magic. It’s going to take a few months to get back to my normal self but it’s all going in the right direction.

I’ve been through this before, but this time the symptoms have hit me harder and faster. Last time, I didn’t even know I had Graves’ disease until I was already well into recovery. This time, I’ve done more research into the condition, and it’s not comforting reading. Graves’ disease is a serious illness—it can be fatal if not treated properly, and delays in treatment can lead to heart damage, osteoporosis, eye problems, reduced fertility,  pregnancy complications and poor mental health. 

As I mentioned in my previous blog, diagnosis can often be delayed because the symptoms overlap with those of other conditions. People experience Graves’ disease very differently; for some, the symptoms are mild, while for others, it leads to a devastating decline in quality of life.

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition, meaning the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells, tissues, or organs. It’s a lifelong condition—it may go into remission, but it never truly goes away. I was in remission for 18 months, but Graves’ disease can only be managed, not cured, through medication, surgery, radioactive iodine treatment and lifestyle adjustments.

My journey with autoimmune disease began when I was just three years old and developed psoriasis. About 30% of people with psoriasis eventually develop psoriatic arthritis, and I ended up being in that 30%. I’ve been on medication for over 20 years now. According to my cardiologist, it was psoriatic arthritis that caused damage to my heart. And as is common with autoimmune conditions, having one often leads to another—so here I am today, managing both.

Graves’ disease affects an estimated 1-2% of the global population, making it one of the most common autoimmune disorders. But you’re probably more familiar with Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. 

It primarily affects the thyroid but up to 50% of people with Graves’ disease experience eye problems, a condition known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy or thyroid eye disease (TED) which can cause the eyes to bulge.

Some  of you may remember a comedian back in the 70’s, Marty Feldman, a very funny man who used his bulging eyes to comical advantage. He had Graves Disease. But most people with this eye condition won’t see anything funny in it. Fortunately, I don’t have the eye condition. 

I’ve joined a Facebook group for people in the UK with Graves’ disease. I have mixed feelings about these groups, as they’re sometimes dominated by “career sufferers,” but they can also be valuable sources of information. Being part of the group has helped me realise I’m one of the lucky ones—I’m responding well to the medication, which isn’t the case for everyone.

I’m also a bit of an outlier because of my age; most people with Graves’ are between 30 and 50 and predominantly female, so many in the group are dealing with the impact of the disease on their fertility and working lives. I even read an account of a male professional footballer with Graves’ disease. Fortunately, he’s been able to continue his career following treatment. 

So three weeks on from having acute symptoms of hyperthyroidism including an abnormal heart arrhythmia life is returning to normal. But the process will be slow. I fatigue easily. I’m weak, I get breathless just by walking up the stairs, my balance isn’t great, my brain is foggy and I feel depressed. All symptoms of Graves’ Disease.

Lifestyle changes are an important consideration when managing symptoms. But my lifestyle doesn’t need much tweaking. I eat well, exercise, only drink occasionally and don’t smoke. I view my health and fitness as the foundation for the life I lead. But what has crept up over the last few months is stress. So I’m doing my best to eliminate what I can. 

I’ve submitted a request for a temporary withdrawal from university and I’m trying to not get so upset over the things I can’t control. 

Next week I’m returning to the gym, I’ve got a ticket for the Tower of London Poppy Fields light show and I’m going to the Barbie exhibition with my daughter. But I may have to sleep all weekend.

I have to remind myself that since I was last ill with Graves’ I’ve competed in four Hyrox competitions, climbed Carrauntoohil and walked 140  miles on the SW Coast Path. This incapacity will pass. Bring on 2025 and more adventures.