Erin Moriarty, known for her role as Annie January (aka Starlight) on the hit Prime Video series The Boys, is opening up about a personal health battle. In a candid Instagram post this week, the actress revealed that she has been diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid.
“Autoimmune disease manifests differently in everybody/every body,” Moriarty wrote. “Your experience will be different from mine. My experience will be different from yours. Perhaps greatly, perhaps minutely.”
She went on to explain that her symptoms had originally been brushed off as stress and fatigue, something many people might relate to. “If I hadn’t chalked it all up to stress and fatigue, I would’ve caught this sooner,” she shared. “A month ago, I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease.”
Thankfully, she said that beginning treatment brought fast relief. “Within 24 hours of beginning treatment, I felt the light coming back on. It’s been increasing in strength ever since,” she said. “If yours is dimming, even slightly, go get checked. Don’t ‘suck it up’ and transcend suffering; you deserve to be comfy. Sh–’s hard enough as is.”
Graves’ disease is a condition that leads to hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. It causes the body’s immune system to attack the thyroid gland, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, weight loss, increased heart rate, and heat sensitivity. The disease is more common in women and typically affects those over the age of 30 — though anyone can develop it.
Moriarty’s message quickly drew support from fans and fellow actors alike, many praising her vulnerability and using the post as a reminder to pay closer attention to their own health.
Fight Fight Fight! You can do it girl! Never Give Up!