“Don’t let your condition stop you from doing what you want to do, take the support around you and do it your own way”

Ruby had a huge range of symptoms before she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease. Like many people, these symptoms gradually crept up on her until they because quite severe. it was only after she started to improve with treatment that she and her family realised how poorly she had become.

Ruby’s sharing her story to raise awareness and encourage others to get support too.

What symptoms has your Graves' disease caused?

I had really bad anxiety, a constant high heart rate, my vision was blurry sometimes, I was very skinny even though I was always hungry and thirsty. I had itchy rashes, my nails were always snapping, I always felt hot, I had a swollen neck, I always needed to use the toilet, my body always hurt, I was very tired but couldn’t sleep, I had mood swings, I couldn’t settle down and I have lid lag. 

How were your symptoms picked up on?

I had been to the doctors about some of these things separately but nobody had put these things together, even my mum and dad didn’t even think they could be linked because it isn’t something they knew about.

 

How did you eventually get diagnosed?

My mum noticed my swollen neck and she and my dad took me to the walk in centre who did blood tests. They told me I had hyperthyroidism when the results came back and then after my referral came through their tests told me it was Graves’ disease.

 

What treatment were you given?

I was kept in hospital overnight while they started me on carbimazole and propranolol.

 

How are you feeling now?

My levels are still not right, some of them have gone the other way because of the medication and I have some other symptoms because but I feel a lot better than I did. I have regained some of the weight I had lost.

 

What have been the most difficult parts of your journey so far? 

The first time I had to do a blood test the nurses had to be really patient with me because I had a panic attack. The more I have had the better I have got. I still hate them but I know I need them so I just don’t look and my mum and dad talk to me to distract me.

 

Was it difficult for those around you to understand what you were going through? 

My family and school have been amazing. I don’t think my friends understand any of it because we are all just kids.

 

Did you manage to find some support? 

My family. All the medical people I have met have also been very nice. My mum shows me alot of the British Thyroid Foundation things. I have some teachers who really look after me too.

 

What would you say to anyone on their own thyroid journey?

 
Don’t let your condition stop you from doing what you want to do, take the support around you and do it your own way.

Her mum, Lea-anne, added:

It isn’t until now Ruby is getting better we can see reflect on how poorly she truly was because she was that way for so long it unfortunately became the norm, especially looking back on photos, which really evidences this. It has broken our hearts seeing her so terrified having to have blood tests but then we are also so proud at how far she has come to overcome this fear. She has had, and continues to have all of these symptoms, but she rarely complains, she really is amazing.

Lea-anne and other family members took part in our ‘Stride for Thyroid challenge in October 2025. She told us: We wanted to do Stride for Thyroid (some of us even joining in with our walking sticks and wheelchairs) to raise awareness of Graves’ disease and all other thyroid conditions because despite all the symptoms our child had, it did not even come to our mind that she could have a thyroid condition because we simply didn’t know enough about them. 

Further reading

Living with hyperthyroidism

Managing hyperthyroidism while awaiting your endocrinology appointment