Re: Steroid Question - Elaine?? Help!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

there are 2 forms of GO: one is related to abnormal thyroid hormone levels,

with high levels causing spastic symptoms and lid retraction and low levels

causing puffiness and contributing to congestion.

The congestive disorder is the autoimmune form of GO and this runs a course

independent of your thryoid function. It's caused by both stimulating and

blocking TSH receptor antibodies and immune system chemicals caused cytokines.

These chemicals produce a sticky chemical called glycosaminoglycan (GAG). GAG

and

clusters of white blood cells form deposits in the orbital cavity. Usually the

eye will naturally decompress and push the eye forward. All this congestion

can also compress the optic nerve. This type of GO has an active phase which

can be very mild or very severe, followed by a plateau phase and a resolution

phase. RAI makes congestive GO worse or triggers it because of the immune

stimulation and increased production of TSH receptor antibodies. Take care,

Elaine