Graves disease of the eyes
Common Questions and Answers about Graves disease of the eyes
graves-disease
I believe the statistic is less than 50% of those who have Graves thyroid disease develop any symptoms of Graves Eye Disease. Each is caused by different sets of antibodies. Some people get eye disease without ever having thyroid problems. And, of those with Graves/thyroid who do develop eye disease, only about 5% of those ever develop serious enough eye problems (bulging, eyelid retraction, double vision, optic nerve issues) to warrant surgery.
The disease is due to antibodies attacking the muscles of the eyes, which cause a fat like substance to be deposited in the muscles behind the eyes. Eventually, enough fat is deposited that the muscles have no place to expand inside the bony socket, and the eyes push out the front. The unnatural exposure to air is what causes the tearing and gritty feeling (because the lids don't conver the eyeballs sufficiently any more).
I'm so sorry you are going through this. I have graves & thyroid eye disease too. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
If you have active thyroid eye disease, please, do not have any more RAI, it will worsen you eyes. You have a complicated case due to Graves & toxic nodules. The Graves may be treated with the RAI but the toxic nodules can still be excreting thyroid hormone keeping you hyper.! Are you seeing an endocrinologist or a thyroid specialist?
My interenist suspected Graves, ergo the reason for the tests. My concern is that I have some of the classic symptoms of Graves, but my test results show me to be in the normal range.
I'm wondering if others have had their values fall in the normal range but second level testing (e.g., radioactive iodine test) revealed a problem.
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 have been going to an Endocrinologist for almost 1 year. He has done several ultrasounds showing that I have 5 tumors on my thyroid. I have a biopsy which showed they were benign. I recently had another ultrasound which showed one of the tumors had shrunk but another one appeared.
did they give you the cause of the hyperthyroidism -- ie Graves (most likely) or a toxic nodule? In the USA there is a tendency to use more I-131, but in many other countries (and in our office) we often use anti-thyroid meds such as methimazole for Graves and consider surgery for treatment as well. If it is a hot nodule, then would recommend either I-131 or surgery (w/ an expert thyroid surgeon).
You have to be proactive and assertive with doctors about thyroid disease for some reason. The migraines, the pressure behind the eyes, the muscle weakness... they are all symptoms of Grave's and that could be all that's wrong with you... however, you MUST get a second opinion, and you'll probably need a third and fourth, too.
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.
The immune system is a complex, multifaceted system that runs slightly different for each individual on the face of the earth. To attempt to cure a disease of the immune system, carries the risk of damaging it. The last thing we want to go through life with, is no immunity, or disrupted immunity.
As medical research advances, it may be possible one day to re-boot our immune system much the way we reformat our home computers. As of right now, medicine is incapable.
Hi - I am undergoing tests for Graves of the eyes. My eyes are so dry and they buldge. Are you a smoker? Smoking makes the eye disease worse. It is very common to have Graves of the eyes if you have Graves Thyroid disease. My doctor told me that he would treat me with prednisone to get the swelling behind my eyes down and last resort would be surgery. You probably need to research an eye doctor that specializes in Graves. Where do you live? My doctor is at Rush Hospital in Chicago.
Absolutely agree! I have graves disease and have been fighting "thyroid eye" for the past 6 months. Even after steroid treatment and radiation have failed, I am still hesitant and only slightly considering orbital decompression. There are cosmetic eye surgeries you could consider. But really consider all pros and cons before any surgery.
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