Eyebrows and Eyelashes: Hypo or hyper?

June 11, 2003

Hi Ron,

There may be a more complicated answer to why you're hyper and losing brow and

lash hair. I wonder why it's happening around your eyes but not on your head

(although thank goodness for small favors). On the other hand, people seem to

vary in terms of their symptoms, and some people have symptoms opposite to

what's predicted. Taking a nutritional route certainly can't hurt.

I saw the local Graves' opth. specialist for the second time today; three months

since my first visit to him but 10 months since starting PTU. My " moderate " TED

(no pressure on the nerve) is no worse than last time, which was great news.

(Pollen here in the Northeast is sure irritating them, though.)

If there's no change in another three months (and he says improvement is out of

the question), the doc suggests surgery for the swelling, lid lag, etc. I'm

ambivalent about the cosmetic aspect but would like to stop feeling like there's

sand in my eyes. (And I agree with you, on the list of life's little injustices,

it does seem unfair to have to deal with a disorder that makes you hyper,

physically weak, way too emotional, and then on top of that makes your eyes look

and work oddly!)

The specialist says I lack the congestion that the radiation treatment provides.

Despite being the local expert, he sounds out of touch with current research and

much less informed than Elaine or some of the others on the board, so I doubt

I'd let him do the surgery. (When he asked if my endo had discussed RAI with me

I was tempted to ask if he knew the statistics about RAI worsening TED but

didn't have the energy.) As Elaine suggested following my first visit, it would

be fun to go back with the swelling resolved, but I'm definitely not there yet;

too much stress in my life right now for me to expect remission soon.

If I remember right, you had finally found a doctor to work with? I hope you can

get your levels adjusted soon, that should help. As for me, I have a wonderful

endo (if less informed than this group) and count her (and my auto mechanic)

among the most valued people in my life.

Best wishes,

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