Hypothyroidism usually isn't linked to eye disease. In severe cases, however, hypothyroidism may cause swelling around the eyes. It also may cause a loss of hair in the outer part of the eyebrows.
Common eye symptoms in thyroid dysfunction
Unlike Graves' thyroid eye disease, where symptoms are overt, eye-related disease symptoms in hypothyroidism are subtle except in severe cases. Swelling may cause blurry vision due to pressure applied to the optic nerve. Similarly, hypothyroidism may cause dry eyes.
Dry, Gritty, or Teary Eyes
The film over your eyes can dry out. It might feel like you've got something in your eye. Irritation can make your eyes tear up a lot, too. That means it's possible for your eyes to be both dry and watery.
Graves' eye disease, also known as thyroid eye disease, is an autoimmune condition in which immune cells attack the thyroid gland which responds by secreting an excess amount of thyroid hormone.
Some patients are left with permanent changes, and in others the eyes return to normal. A great deal can be done to improve these conditions with medical treatment, although some patients will need surgery to help ease their issues.
About 90% of patients with TED have hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism and TED are due to the same underlying autoimmune process. In the active phase of TED, fluctuations in the levels of thyroid hormone (both underactive as well as overactive) can lead to progression of TED.
To diagnose thyroid eye disease, you will need a complete eye exam, lab tests, and imaging tests. The ophthalmologist will test your vision, color vision, and visual fields. In addition, eyelid measurements will be taken, eye pressure tested, and optic nerve checked.
But what if that tongue has wavy edges that look like the edges of a pie crust? You could have a condition known as scalloped tongue. It's a known sign of hypothyroidism and other underlying health conditions. Ahead, we'll look at the ins and outs of scalloped tongue and the connection to hypothyroidism.
Patients should stop smoking as this is known to aggravate the condition. Sunglasses may be necessary even when indoors. If double vision is not corrected, driving will be dangerous. Patients should discuss any concerns with their doctor.
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism can show up in the hands and nails. Hypothyroidism can cause dermatologic findings such as nail infection, vertical white ridges on the nails, nail splitting, brittle nails, slow nail growth, and nails lifting up.
There are two phases. The active phase, marked by inflammation, usually lasts from six months to two years. The focus during this stage is on medical treatment to relieve the eye symptoms. During the second phase, or the stable phase, inflammation and other symptoms have subsided.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder. This means your immune system starts to attack itself. It makes antibodies against the thyroid gland. Another cause may be treatment for an overactive thyroid gland.
You may feel nervous, moody, weak, or tired. Your hands may shake, your heart may beat fast, or you may have problems breathing. You may be sweaty or have warm, red, itchy skin. You may have more bowel movements than usual.
People with hypothyroidism may also have headaches, including pulsing pain, on both sides of the head. In most cases, the headaches subside after the person receives effective treatment for hypothyroidism. either or both of the following: significant, simultaneous worsening of the headaches and hypothyroidism.
Blood tests will be ordered to check your thyroid hormone levels and help with diagnosing TED. These include: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland of the brain. TSH tells the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones.
Elevate Your Head in Bed. Swollen eyelids are a common symptom of thyroid eye disease. Instead of lying flat as you sleep, raise the head of your bed. You can either sleep on extra pillows or place rolled up towels under your mattress to create an angle.
One of the most common manifestations of this is facial swelling. “Hypothyroidism can affect facial features in many different ways, including facial puffiness, loss of hair from the outer part of the eyebrows, and in particular, swelling around the eyes,” says Ronald Lechan, M.D., Ph.
One of the biggest risks of untreated thyroid eye disease is vision loss. The most common vision problems with Graves' orbitopathy include blurriness and double vision. Colors may also appear somewhat dull.
As thyroidectomy removes all or nearly all thyroid tissue from the neck, this will result in a more rapid decrease in antibody production over time, which is beneficial for those with eye disease.
TED begins with an acute phase, which means that symptoms appear suddenly and often get worse. The acute phase can last from 6 months to 2 years.
TED has a higher prevalence in women than men. Both men and women demonstrate a bimodal pattern of the age of diagnosis. The median age is 43 years for all patients, with a range from 8 to 88 years old.