RE: Eye problems with hypo?

[Guest guest]

,

I think you and I are going through very similar symptoms! As I recall, you

were mild hyper, then went hypO on ATDs, and so stopped? If so, then I am

right there with ya! I also had a strange backache (lower back) most of

last week, and I think it was from being hypO. I feel like I'm recovering

from being overmedicated for months, and perhaps that causes a mix of

hyper/hypO symptoms. That's my theory! When I'm hypO, I have more swelling

around my eyes, especially in the a.m.

At 10:40 AM 10/27/2003, you wrote:

>Hi gang,

>

>I’ve seen a few references to people having eye problems when

>hypothyroid. Can someone elaborate on what type of eye trouble a

>hypothyroid person would have? Is it different than TED? My eyes have

>been bothering me the last week and I was wondering what the heck is

>going on with me. I never got to the lab last week so I’m going

>tomorrow. But, it will be 3-4 weeks before I get my results so I’d

>appreciate hearing back from someone sooner than that.

>

>I feel like I’m a cross of hyper and hypo right now, is that possible? I

>get between 7 ½ and 8 hours of sleep each night and it doesn’t seem like

>enough. I have had mild headaches and a few times have felt dizzy and

>lightheaded. My pulse is anywhere from 64 – 76 beat per minute

>throughout the day. It starts out really low in the morning and creeps

>up through the morning, then levels off at about 72 for the rest of the

>day. My lower back has been really sore the last few days too.

>

> in MA USA

>Graves since March 1997

>Currently on 0 PTU tablets per day

>Was euthyroid from 2000-2002

>Will not undergo RAI

[Guest guest]

,

You can definitely have eye problems while hypothyroid: I certainly did!

Somewhere in the archives there's a post that gives the exact percentage of

people who develop TED while or because of hypothyroidism. Testimonials on

this board also show that people have eye troubles or pain when their thyroid

fluctuates. For example, when I've increased my armour I've had temporary eye

pain and light sensitivity that abates after a few days at the new dose. As

far as I know, this is no different than TED, which is after all, thyroid eye

disease. It's just more typically hyper than hypo but can be both.

I should read every post that actually flies by the board and I'd know ALL these

answers!!!

Best wishes,

Eye problems with hypo?

Hi gang,

I've seen a few references to people having eye problems when

hypothyroid. Can someone elaborate on what type of eye trouble a

hypothyroid person would have? Is it different than TED? My eyes have

been bothering me the last week and I was wondering what the heck is

going on with me. I never got to the lab last week so I'm going

tomorrow. But, it will be 3-4 weeks before I get my results so I'd

appreciate hearing back from someone sooner than that.

I feel like I'm a cross of hyper and hypo right now, is that possible? I

get between 7 ½ and 8 hours of sleep each night and it doesn't seem like

enough. I have had mild headaches and a few times have felt dizzy and

lightheaded. My pulse is anywhere from 64 - 76 beat per minute

throughout the day. It starts out really low in the morning and creeps

up through the morning, then levels off at about 72 for the rest of the

day. My lower back has been really sore the last few days too.

in MA USA

Graves since March 1997

Currently on 0 PTU tablets per day

Was euthyroid from 2000-2002

Will not undergo RAI

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

That's me, we're in the same boat! My eyes feel dry and get red very

easy. I look like I smoked too much whacky tobacco! I can still wear my

contact lenses but by the end of the day my eyes are burning. And my

lids feel heavy, can't describe it any other way. Feels like its

struggle to keep them open. And I feel a slight pressure all around my

eyes, very strange.

in MA USA

Graves since March 1997

Currently on 0 PTU tablets per day

Was euthyroid from 2000-2002

Will not undergo RAI

Re: Eye problems with hypo?

,

I think you and I are going through very similar symptoms! As I recall,

you

were mild hyper, then went hypO on ATDs, and so stopped? If so, then I

am

right there with ya! I also had a strange backache (lower back) most of

last week, and I think it was from being hypO. I feel like I'm

recovering

from being overmedicated for months, and perhaps that causes a mix of

hyper/hypO symptoms. That's my theory! When I'm hypO, I have more

swelling

around my eyes, especially in the a.m.

[Guest guest]

I am hypo. Have been for 3 years and that is the diagnosis that the ophtho

gave me last week: TED. He says that TED can continue even in the face of

euthyroid status. In fact 10% of those who develop TED are euthyroid and

never develop thyroid-specific problems. Elaine told me in a recent post

that my TED could get worse if I become too hypo. My guess is that this is

because a hypo state triggers the pituitary feedback loop and TSH increases.

My understanding is that it is the thyroid hormone receptor cells at the

back of the eye that are affected.

When I become hypo my face swells more, especially around the eyes and my

eye symptoms worsen. Low back pain also accompanies this and dull,

persistent headaches.

Sheila

Re: Eye problems with hypo?

,

You can definitely have eye problems while hypothyroid: I certainly did!

Somewhere in the archives there's a post that gives the exact percentage of

people who develop TED while or because of hypothyroidism. Testimonials

on this board also show that people have eye troubles or pain when their

thyroid fluctuates. For example, when I've increased my armour I've had

temporary eye pain and light sensitivity that abates after a few days at the

new dose. As far as I know, this is no different than TED, which is after

all, thyroid eye disease. It's just more typically hyper than hypo but can

be both.

I should read every post that actually flies by the board and I'd know ALL

these answers!!!

Best wishes,

Eye problems with hypo?

Hi gang,

I've seen a few references to people having eye problems when

hypothyroid. Can someone elaborate on what type of eye trouble a

hypothyroid person would have? Is it different than TED? My eyes have

been bothering me the last week and I was wondering what the heck is

going on with me. I never got to the lab last week so I'm going

tomorrow. But, it will be 3-4 weeks before I get my results so I'd

appreciate hearing back from someone sooner than that.

I feel like I'm a cross of hyper and hypo right now, is that possible? I

get between 7 ½ and 8 hours of sleep each night and it doesn't seem like

enough. I have had mild headaches and a few times have felt dizzy and

lightheaded. My pulse is anywhere from 64 - 76 beat per minute

throughout the day. It starts out really low in the morning and creeps

up through the morning, then levels off at about 72 for the rest of the

day. My lower back has been really sore the last few days too.

in MA USA

Graves since March 1997

Currently on 0 PTU tablets per day

Was euthyroid from 2000-2002

Will not undergo RAI

[Guest guest]

Yes, , you are having eye symptoms, and I'm thinking they will calm

down once you stabilize. I am hoping that my hair shedding will calm down

similarly. Now I know why they don't usually use ATDs for subclinical

hyperT; perhaps better to wait it out on beta blockers (or lemon balm?), if

needed for mild hyperT symptoms. We live and learn. Lifestyle changes may

be enough for us -- stress reduction, no smoking, no stimulants,

goitrogens, etc.

Are you using eye drops? They help A LOT, if you are using them regularly

(keep 'em moist). I find that artificial tears at bedtime are a must! That

is usually sufficient for me. You can use them more often, if needed.

Genteal and Refresh are popular brands. Also, flaxseed oil for the Omega 3

(people swear by it). And it may be healthier for your eyes to not wear the

contacts while you are having symptoms. I have heard more experienced

members say that when hypO, our antibodies increase, which is yet another

reason to avoid that state. So take care, and hopefully your symptoms will

abate as you stabilize at a good point for you.

P.S. My back pain is gone, so I think I'm getting there!

At 11:44 AM 10/27/2003, you wrote:

>Hi ,

>

>That's me, we're in the same boat! My eyes feel dry and get red very

>easy. I look like I smoked too much whacky tobacco! I can still wear my

>contact lenses but by the end of the day my eyes are burning. And my

>lids feel heavy, can't describe it any other way. Feels like its

>struggle to keep them open. And I feel a slight pressure all around my

>eyes, very strange.

>

> in MA USA

>Graves since March 1997

>Currently on 0 PTU tablets per day

>Was euthyroid from 2000-2002

>Will not undergo RAI