Vision issues

[Eveseyes3]

My vision issues keep me from doing what I love most... reading. Its been like six months with vision problems. If this continues at this course and pace, I will be force to take early retirement. HASHIMOTO IS TERRIBLE! What's a person to do?

[Mary-intussuception]

Who have you seen about this? GP or Optician?

Please arrange to get your eyes checked out now.

Have you had blood tests to check levels of nutrients in particular Vitamin D and B12, Folate and Ferritin? If not see GP straight away and ask for them urgent. Look up deficiencies in each of these. NHS choices in one site you could look on.

Get a copy of your results and ranges , look at Folate. You may be deficient in this and low or deficient in the othets if not all. You may need further testing to eliminate Pernicious Anemia before starting on Folic Acid.

Any other symptoms? Jaw pain? Head pain? Neck pain? Write everything on list for GP.

All the best.

Hope you get this sorted very soon. Both Optician and GP (though mine don't ) as well as A & E can make immediate referal to Eye Clinic if necessary. Worth bearing in mind.

Do you use anything for 'dry eye' . I have Carbomer Gel Eye Drops on prescription.

X🐥

[shaws Administrator]

I would get an up-to-date blood test - a private one which will do all the GP wont and it may be worth it to you if you are on too low a dose of thyroid hormones but the GP is content with the results.

You need TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3. (your GP should do TSH and T4 but ask if he can do all of them). GP should do the followiing B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. All should be at optimum, i.e. TSH below 1 or suppressed, FT4 and FT3 towards the upper part of the range.

The test should be taken as early as possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a 24 hour gap between last dose and test and take afterwards.

Most of us have too low an FT3 which means our body doesn't have sufficient of the Active Hormone (T3) circulating in our body. It is required in the billions of receptor cells to enable our metabolism to work efficiently.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

btf-thyroid.org/information...

Going gluten-free can help reduce antibodies attack.

[eeng]

Most people with Hashimotos don't find it causes them eye problems to this extent. I wonder whether you have something else going on. Have you told your optician/GP?

[Mary-intussuception]

Eve

What symptoms are you having altogether?

What precisely is happening with your vision?

Do you have your most recent blood tests results? Could you add them to this thread with full information including ranges in brackets and date of tests? Also what dose Levothyroxine aer you on?

May be worth bearing in mind that not all GPs and hospital doctors will acknowledge private blood tests. Some get quite stroppy with patient.

If I were you then I would prioritise -

1) Straight to optician. Ask optician to also measure angles.

If nothing found and still having problems. Then depending on the severity of pain/intermittent vision loss /double vision (don't know as you haven't specified) I would make 'same day' appointment with GP or go to A&E. If you happen to work for the NHS then contact staff health for their assistance.

2) As soon as possible see GP for Thyroid blood tests and the nutrients already mentioned. Maybe ask for CRP, calcium and FBC as well?

I am wondering why you are putting your vision 'deterioration' down to Hashimoto's? ? Have you been given some medical opinion on this? I have Hashimoto's and hope to keep my vision till my days here are done.

Please have an expert check your eyes out asap. Could be any of a number of things, could be treatable.

X

Mary 🐥

[Hidden]

If I were you and you have an eye hospital nearby I would pay it a visit to the A & E. I went to my GP twice as was then referred to the hospital. When I was examined at the eye hospital I was told that had I gone earlier I would not have lost the sight in one eye. Eye problems could be urgent!

[Cree]

My eyesight was really bad for 2 months until my fellow hashi friend told me reduce my Levo. I went from 125 to 100 and within a couple of weeks my eyesight is back to normal.

[Heloise]

Do you have cataracts, Eve?

[Olsbird]

Not sure if thinks helpful but I felt my eyes were "funny' when I was taking more drug than I could cope with. As soon as I dropped the dose my eyes became "normal' again. Are you suffering any other side effects or discomfort? Are you sure your dose is ok? Hope you work it out soon

[DeeD123]

Hashies can develop thyroid eye disease. It's rare but it definitely happens. I have it. Please get them looked at as soon as possible by a good opticians and tell them you have thyroid problems.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

In at least some areas, high street opticians can refer directly to consultants. This avoids seeing a GP who has neither equipment nor experience of handling vision issues.

Some opticians also now have extremely sophisticated devices for scanning the interior of the eye and detecting many possible issues. Totally beyond any GP - however much they know. Make sure you choose the best optician in your area.