Graves disease and vision problems
Common Questions and Answers about Graves disease and vision problems
graves-disease
I was diagnosed with Graves disease in 2001 and subsequently treated with radioactive iodine in 2003. Since being treated, I was placed on Synthroid. Soon after I developed the "eye stare" and moderate lid retraction bilaterally. Throughout the years, my eyes seemed to have gone back to their normal state. Approximately two years ago, my physician switched me to armour thyroid (I felt great on it).
Most people have both sets of problems, but some with thyroid problems never develop eye problems, and some people with the eye problems never develop the thyroid problems. Sometimes onset can be months or years apart.
Hope that helps you a little. Please follow up with your eye doc. Both docs are probably correct in their individual diagnosis. Close medical followup early in the Eye Disease is important for getting you back to normal down the road.
Good luck.
I had mild Thyroid eye disease (TED), which was causing swelling, grittiness, pain behind eyes, & bulging. I didn't have double vision, but that is also a sign and is something not to ignore. I would find a specialist if you are still having problems I went on prednisone for 2 months during Radioactive iodine treatment for Graves' to keep the eyes from getting worse. Being on steroids was Awful, but my eyes do feel better.
Hi, I am a 28 year old woman and was diagnosed with graves disease 3 years ago. I have commented o many forums regarding my problem but would like your advice. I was treated with radio active iodine in 2006 and then became hypothyroid, I now take 150mg of levothyroxine daily. I have never suffered from graves opthalmology as far as i'm aware.
For the last 6 months I have had a chronic daily headache. This started 3 days after purchasing new glasses.
I am 24 and diagnosed with severe Graves last year. On Methimazole and last TSH 2.1. I woke up yesterday with eyes bloodshot, gritty, painful and eyelids swollen. I don't think I have had the bug eyes that I read about with Graves. This has happened periodically and at first I thought it was my contacts but I did not have them in the night before. I know this condition is connected with Graves but is there any treatment? I am miserable.
I coped with this for a year and half and then started having eye problems. Pain in rt. eye and hurt and IOP was elevated. I first went to regular eye doctor who referred me to his friend, and opthalmologist. I was put on eye drops for the elevated IOP then with out any findings of glucoma but was told that I was a "suspect" for glucoma. No eye problems previously.
then eventually another 20 lbs. before this never really had weight problems (up or down 10 lbs here and there). But since Graves treatment, weight has plagued me (along with fatigue, hair loss, vision issues, anxiety/depression at times) but ALWAYS THE DARNED weight!!!
Now, new endo says RAI is what she would’ve advised originally...as I’m going to most likely end up hypO and taking synthroid/levo for the rest of my life. Ugh.
Anyone manage to get their weight back under control after RAI?
t had any eye problems and never knew anyone that did have eye problems with Graves Disease, but it is a scary thing to think about! Also, my doctor told me that eye problems generally occur within 6 months of treatment for Graves so since I have not had eye problems in the 5-6 years that I have had this disease the chance for me to get it, gets less and less likely.
They are mostly smokers and most problems with your eyes develop within 6 months of your treatment of Graves disease. Anything is possible and anyone could develop problems with their eyes but the majority does not. The longer you have had Graves disease without having problems with your eyes the less likely it is to happen.
hi I have recently seen my doctor about 2 lumps on either side of my neck, he done blood tests which he said were basically fine, I am now having blurred vision and the lumps are causing uncomfortable ache in the back of my head, I have read about graves disease and many of the symptoms I have, could the doctor have missed graves disease?
Last year I was diagnosed with Graves disease and had a radioactive ablation done in April. Sometime around March of 2009, my eyelids became puffy and my eyes were usually watery. I called my Endocrinologist and asked if this was related to my thyroid and she sugg. I visit my Primary Care Dr. I did and he followed an allergy path. I finally went to an allergist who said that allergies may be playing a role, it was not the primary cause.
The antibodies that cause Graves Eye Disease (or thyroid eye disease) are totally different from the antibodies that cause either Graves Disease (thyroid) or Hashimotos. Your thyroid levels won't have an impact on your eyes. In fact, some people have the eye problems without ever having thyroid problems.
That being said, if you have one of the autoimmune thyroid diseases (Hashis or Graves), you could also have thyroid eye disease.
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