Hypothyroid swollen eyes

My GP said I needed levothyroxine so I started taking it and now blood tests say levels normal. Firstly, the doctor has never explained ANYTHING about this. All I know I've now discovered on my own. If my levels are now normal, why have I got swollen eyes?

[Hidden]

Hello alfimima,

Welcome to our forum and sorry to hear about your swollen eyes.

Most doctors don't explain much to patients about thyroid issues as I don't believe they know much themselves.

They will also tell you your thyroid hormone blood tests are "normal" but the levels of a doctors "normal" and how most people function best are sometimes very different.

If you post your test results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets), members will comment.

I haven't heard of swollen eyes being a symptom of hypothyroidism but have heard of members complaining of an intolerance to the fillers used in Levothyroxine. Alternatively your swollen eyes could be due to something else such as cat hair, hay fever or something you have eaten.

If you eyes continue to swell I would recommend you have it looked into and

I hope they get better soon,

Flower007

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for the reply, I will ask the GP for the levels, I assume you mean those T numbers?! I was referred to an ophthalmologist and she said straight away, you've got hypothyroid eyes, dry, gritty and swollen, got drops to use all day for ever and it is rather disheartening

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Hidden]

My eyes were dry and needed regular treatment. Now, I rarely need to use anything on them.

Whatever drops you have, make sure they are preservative-free. When first my eyes were dry, ordinary hypromellose drops seemed to work fine. Over time I found them less and less effective, and they even seemed to make my eyes worse. Switching to preservative-free was a definite improvement.

I used Lacrilube at night and ViscoTears Single Dose Unit during the day.

Some people get help by gentle bathing with diluted baby bath and clean cotton wool balls. (Some baby shampoos contains ingredients which are not good.)

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Ophth gave me systane which are pretty good and tomorrow I stop using soya milk because it seems to be at war with my eyes!

[Hidden]

Alfimima,

Don't be disheartened.

I, like helvella, had to use eye drops for a while and now don't need to. Things will hopefully improve.

Yes I did mean those "T numbers".

Flower007

[Hidden]

Hi im just wondering how your eye's are now? I am too suffering with very swollen top and bottom eye lids. Looks like i've been fighting a qualified boxer. Feeling very down about it. Only seems to happen at night when sleeping so now propping myself up on pillows ( which i love sleeping on 1 pillow on my tummy ) but with propping myself up yes my eyes are no longer swollen but i'm not sleeping well. This has been happening since November and eye doctor is the only one that has said it's Thyroid related and gave my artificial tears which helps. x