Grey’s Anatomy star Camilla Luddington reveals Hashimoto’s disease diagnosis and symptoms on podcast

Grey’s Anatomy actress Camilla Luddington has revealed she’s been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. The 41-year-old shared the news during the August 6 episode of her podcast Call It What It Is, which she co-hosts with her Grey’s co-star Jessica Capshaw.

Luddington explained that she had long joked about feeling “slothy” and tired but didn’t suspect a medical issue. “It never occurred to me that there could be a medical reason for that,” she said. Capshaw agreed, saying they had both assumed it was just part of Luddington’s personality.

The diagnosis came after Luddington finally completed routine blood work she had been putting off. “My doctor was like, ‘Everything looks great except this one little thing,’” she recalled. That "little thing" turned out to be a marker for Hashimoto’s disease, which causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the thyroid, potentially leading to fatigue, depression, brain fog, sensitivity to cold, and other symptoms.

Luddington admitted that hearing the words “autoimmune disease” initially alarmed her. “I was a little freaked out,” she said. However, her doctor reassured her that the condition is very common, which helped ease her anxiety.

“I was relieved,” Luddington added. “I felt like I had the answer for something that I’ve been knowing is going on.” She also noted her struggle with health anxiety and said she had questioned whether she was imagining her symptoms.

After receiving the diagnosis, she immediately reached out to her husband, actor Matthew Alan, and then called Capshaw. She emphasized feeling fortunate to have access to resources for testing and treatment. Capshaw observed that Luddington seemed more grateful than fearful, saying she wasn’t “scared or completely overwhelmed.”

Luddington concluded by explaining the condition in her usual humorous tone: “Hashimoto’s basically makes you slothy... you’re feeling gorgeous with Hashimoto.”