Eye problems

[Rhiannon5]

Hi, has anyone ever had any experience of eye problems, mainly a mucousy discharge, when taking thyroxine?

[Clutter]

If anything, I have less discharge since taking thyroxine. Undoubtedly eyes are affected by thyroid problems so it may be worth you booking an appointment with an optician to have your eyes checked.

[Fruitandnutcase]

No, I had horrendous problems with dry eyes with my overactive thyroid but never anything like you have.

Sounds like you have an eye infection. If your doctor is any good with eyes go and see him, otherwise go and see an optician and see what they can prescribe to sort you out. Personally my first choice would be the optometrist, they see an awful lot more eye problems than a doctor does.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Sorry lost my first reply. I didn't have any problems like that when I was taking levo. Had very dry Reyes. Sounds like you have some sort of infection - I would make an appointment with your optician who will know exactly what is wrong and can prescribe something for you.

[Rhiannon5]

Thanks for your replies. This is the second time that I've had this problem and I've only been on thyroxine for 8 weeks.

I've seen my optician and everything is normal, no infections, scratches etc except for this discharge.

This has never happened before and to be honest I feel pretty awful since starting the medication and if anything my symptoms have got worse.

I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow so I'll mention it to him too.

[Clutter in reply to Rhiannon5]

It isn't unusual to feel worse when first prescribed thyroxine but improvement should certainly be felt after 8 weeks. What dose are you on and are you taking it with water only an hour before or two hours after food and away from other medication?

[Rhiannon5]

I'm on 50mcg and yes to all the other questions. It's beside my bed and I take it as soon as I wake with a bottle of water. Then an hour later I eat and then take my supplements mid morning/day.

I've just checked my diary and it's been 10 weeks and no improvement! I was reluctant to actually go on it but my TPO antibodies are very high

[stiltzski]

I have had the same thing too: bloodshot, swollen, itchy, oozy eyes since upping my levo to 100 micrograms. The optician could not find anything and the doctor said it was a viral infection but gave me an antibiotic ointment anyway, that got rid of the worst of the swelling but no more. A change to a different antibiotic, a gel, has not helped either. I have only recently been thinking it might be to do with upping my levo.

[Lily905]

My eyesight deteriorated 50% when I was on Thyroxin for 8 months. I cant convert T4 to T3.

Get all your eye tests & examinations done as advised on here so you have your own "evidence" for your doctor or endo.

[Rhiannon5]

Thanks for your advice, I mentioned it to my doctor yesterday who thinks it may be a coincidence, but I will keep an eye on it (excuse the pun)

My conversion of T4 to T3 is fine and my RT3 is within range at the moment but as I've just been increased to 75mcg I will reevaluate in a couple of months when I've had more blood tests. I hope that I feel better soon, I've worked hard with my diet and lifestyle so this is just the final step

[Rhiannon5]

I have an update re: the eye problem question that I posted. I saw my contact lense specialist today and he said the it is definitely the thyroxine that is causing my eye problems. Thyroxine destroys the tear layer on the eye so the mucus and gritty bits I'm feeling are dead cells.

I have also noticed a dry mouth and nasal passages, therefore the thyroxine is affecting all of my mucus membranes!

This route is definitely not for me, therefore I'm going to seek out a prescription for dessicated thyroid from a private doctor. I should have listened to my body....it's been screaming out not to take a synthetic version!

Thanks everyone for your responses