I know that the search facility here is dire, but there have been several threads about this and related issues - such as coping with oncoming headlamps.
Yes, it is well known to people here but not so often mentioned in general. Other than what you are doing, and, of course, getting the best possible thyroid hormone levels, it isn't obvious what else you can do.
Beta carotene, which can make people's palms go orange, is not vitamin A it is a pre-cursor of vitamin A. People have to be able to convert it into proper vitamin A. And guess what? Hypo people aren't good at converting it. So taking beta-carotene makes it build up in the body, and so causes orange skin.
Since vitamin A is fat-soluble, disposing of any excesses taken in through diet takes much longer than with water-soluble B vitamins and vitamin C. This allows for toxic levels of vitamin A to accumulate. These toxicities only occur with preformed (retinoid) vitamin A (such as from liver). The carotenoid forms (such as beta-carotene as found in carrots), give no such symptoms, except with supplements and chronic alcoholism, but excessive dietary intake of beta-carotene can lead to carotenodermia, a harmless but cosmetically displeasing orange-yellow discoloration of the skin.
The above quote explains why so many vitamin A supplements are sold in the beta-carotene/provitamin A form. It is considered safer because the risk of overdose is less than it is with proper vitamin A.
I take retinyl palmitate (one of the "real" vitamin A supplements), but because it is considered to be a bit risky I give myself lots of breaks from it. I do feel I get a benefit from it. I no longer have such a noticeable problem with yellow/orange palms.
I think you should see a good optimetrist about your eyes. I went for a cateract assessment, referred by my optician, and it was there that they discovered I have Macular Degeneration. I was told not to drive at night and I knew I could not anyway because I cannot see properly in the dark. My eyesight is deteriorating and eventually I will have to stop driving which is a real blow. Do get some expert advise but beware, opticians who offer you a scan of the back of your eye for £? as this is not suitable for detecting this problem. This can only be discovered at the hospital eye clinic or other specialist eye clinic. Let us know how you get on please.
I hve same prob. At last eye test optician told me when hypo the eye muscles get slack. My eyesight was dreadful post TT then improved as levo was increased, thou am feeling hypo again since oct and eyesight bit worse. As for specific night time probs optician said it was down to diff frequencies of light and its usual as you get older, thanks i dont think!
My eyesight has deteriorated a bit but I don't have any problems with night vision other than driving on main roads with overhead lights. My optician has just prescribed glasses with a special coating to help but I haven't had a chance to test them out yet.
Humanbean, I did a bit of digging last night and it seems Vit A is very good for a number of things including inflammation and the immune system but like you have pointed out we have to be careful not to take too much. I plan to take it every other day with zinc and milk thistle and a fatty meal and hope for the best. I think there is too much to be gained to ignore it altogether just because of the potential risks. Fingers crossed
I developed problems driving at night when I started developing cataracts. Light coming into the eye gets diffused by the cloudy lens and you are blinded. People don't usually develop cataracts in both eyes at the same rate. Try looking up at a turned on ceiling light, first with one eye covered, then with the other. There should be a difference. You will be able to see 'behind' the light and there will be minimal 'glare' from the eye without the cataract... also a 'crispness' to objects seen by the eye w/o cataracts. All you can see with the eye with the cataract is glare...glare.. glare. Everything is fuzzy and diffused and you can't see 'behind' the light source.
Often hyaluronic acid and supplements like bilberry and Vit C (real Vit C... not ascorbic acid) can sharpen eyesight and improve night vision in the absence of cataracts.
I have had cataract surgery in both eyes. One artificial eye lens enables me to see close up (work on 'puter without glasses). I still get a little night glare in that eye but nowhere near what it was before the surgery. I also still need reading glasses for close-up stuff unless I am outside reading in the sunlight. Then I don't need glasses at all.
**Edit... no help and no experience with the beta carotene problem.
I bought a great pair of night driving glasses for about £3 from Amazon. They are definitely not a fashion statement (they're huge as they fit over your ordinary glasses) but they do help with headlight glare.
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