Grey’s Anatomy’s Camilla Luddington Shares Her Autoimmune Disease Diagnosis

Health struggles can creep up on anyone, even those who seem to have it all together on the outside. Sometimes the signs are there for years, but they’re easy to brush off as “just being busy” or “part of life.”

For some, the reality turns out to be much more than that—a diagnosis that finally explains what’s been going on all along. That’s exactly what happened to British actress Camilla Luddington, who recently revealed that her ongoing exhaustion and sluggishness weren’t just part of a hectic lifestyle.

Luddington, best known for playing Dr. Jo Wilson in the long-running ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, has already been open with fans about her health before. She previously shared that she was living with tinnitus, a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, which she said made her feel “very lonely when I first realized I had it.”

She spoke about how the condition had been affecting her since 2024, describing months of dealing with the intrusive sound in her head. But now, the actress has shared that tinnitus wasn’t the only battle she was quietly facing.

Speaking on her iHeartRadio podcast Call It What It Is earlier this week, the 41-year-old revealed she has been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease. The condition affects the thyroid, leading to low levels of thyroid hormone in the body, something that can cause a ripple effect on everything from metabolism to energy levels.

Camilla Luddington’s years of exhaustion turned out to be a symptom of Hashimoto’s.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the symptoms of Hashimoto’s can include weight gain, constipation, and fatigue. For Luddington, it was the fatigue that stood out—and not in a mild way.

“As long as you’ve been listening to us, you’ve known that I joke about being slothy,” she told listeners during the August 6 episode. “Slower, tired. Wanna be in bed. Love a nap.”

For years, she chalked it up to the nature of her job. Filming schedules, travel, and family life could easily explain why she often felt drained. But the exhaustion didn’t go away, and it turned out there was more going on than she realized.

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The diagnosis came after her routine annual blood work.

“My doctor was like, ‘Everything looks great except this one little thing,’” she said. “And I remember hearing the words ‘autoimmune disease’ and thinking, ‘What the f**k.’”

The “one little thing” was, in fact, Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.

“I was told it was very common,” she added.

And it is, though not equally for everyone. The National Institutes of Health reports that women are four to ten times more likely to develop Hashimoto’s than men.

Understanding the Psychological Impact of Chronic Illness

The psychological impact of chronic illnesses like autoimmune diseases is profound, often leading to anxiety and depression. According to Dr. Shawn Achor, a positive psychology researcher, "Chronic illness can create a cycle of stress that exacerbates mental health issues, making it crucial for individuals to seek support." He emphasizes that those with chronic conditions are at a higher risk for mental health disorders. The constant fatigue and the struggle to cope with everyday tasks can be emotionally draining, leading to feelings of helplessness and distress.

Luddington admitted the diagnosis brought both relief and anxiety, but she’s now focused on recovery.

While medication can manage the condition, Luddington didn’t pretend the news didn’t shake her. “I felt like I had the answer for something that I’ve been knowing is going on. And I have health anxiety, so there was a part of me that was like, ‘Am I gaslighting myself?’”

That mix of relief and anxiety is familiar to many people who finally receive a diagnosis after years of unexplained symptoms. On one hand, there’s comfort in knowing there’s a reason and a treatment plan. On the other hand, it’s unsettling to learn that something has been quietly affecting your health for so long.

For Luddington, it was also about connecting the dots between her daily life and her body’s signals. The constant tiredness, the slower pace, the need for naps—all of it suddenly made sense. And while she admits to feeling “a little freaked out,” she also shared that she’s already on the path toward recovery.

“It’s going to be a journey,” she told her fans. “But I’m on the road to recovery.”WireImage

Her openness about the diagnosis adds to the growing conversation about how easily symptoms of chronic conditions, especially in women, can be dismissed or overlooked. Fatigue can be brushed off as stress.

Sluggishness can be blamed on lifestyle. But as Luddington’s experience shows, it’s worth paying attention when those feelings linger—and pushing for answers when something doesn’t feel right.

Moreover, the delayed diagnosis, as in the case of Camilla Luddington, can exacerbate the psychological impact. It's not uncommon for people to misattribute the symptoms of a chronic illness to a busy lifestyle or age. This can lead to a delay in seeking help and result in prolonged suffering. Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, emphasizes, "Ignoring symptoms can lead to a cycle of anxiety and stress that complicates recovery." For further insights, you can visit her professional website at susandavid.com.

The Role of Social Support

Social support plays a crucial role in managing the psychological impact of chronic diseases. The presence of supportive family and friends can buffer the psychological distress associated with chronic illness, as suggested by research conducted by Dr. Bert Uchino at the University of Utah (Uchino, 2011). Hence, it's essential to create a supportive environment for individuals dealing with chronic diseases.

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

In conclusion, the diagnosis of a chronic illness can have a substantial psychological impact, often leading to mental health disorders. Early diagnosis and intervention, along with robust social support, are key factors in managing these psychological challenges. As society becomes more aware of these issues, it's crucial that we foster an environment that encourages early help-seeking and provides adequate support to those dealing with chronic illnesses (Stewart et al., 2000).