Headaches and swollen eye

Hello. I have hypothyroidism. I've been having these massive headaches everyday and they wouldn't go away. Now my eye is swollen. Any idea what could the problem be?

I'd really appreciate the replies. Thank you!!

[Jazzw]

Headaches are common if you’re not on a high enough dose of levothyroxine. The eye swelling may be a separate and entirely coincidental thing. Could it be conjunctivitis?

How long have you been hypothyroid? What dose of levothyroxine are you on? Do you have any recent blood test results to hand?

[Hidden in reply to Jazzw]

The headaches are so unbearable sometimes. I'm not sure about the eye, but it's only the swollen eyelid, my sclera is not pink, it's still white. I started with the medication about 3 months ago, I'm on 50 cmg. No I don't have recent blood test results, but I'm going for a blood test tomorrow.

[Jazzw in reply to Hidden]

That’s good. You should have been told to have a blood test 6-8 weeks after first being put on levothyroxine—not 3 months—so at a guess, you definitely need a raise in dose. Make sure you get your new results so that you can post them here for comment.

If you can’t get to a doctor for someone to have a look at your eye, it’s often worth asking at a pharmacy—they should be able to tell you if it’s something minor like conjunctivitis or blepharitis or if it’s something that needs a doctor to take a look at.

[Hidden in reply to Jazzw]

Okay thank you so much. I'll post the results once I get them.

[Jazzw in reply to Hidden]

See if any of these things look likely: patient.info/health/swollen...

Where’s the pain? Could it be sinusitis?

[Hidden in reply to Jazzw]

I think it's the stye

[bantam12]

Migraine can cause puffy eyelids but if it's your actual eyeball that has swollen you need to get checked out.

[Hidden in reply to bantam12]

Sometimes I'd get Migraine. Sometimes there are those headaches on top of the head going through my fore front. With the eye, it's only the eyelid that's swollen and it's very sore.

[Nanaedake]

Even if it's just an eyelid that's swollen you need to get it checked, eyes are important. You could get an emergency appointment with an optometrist, you could ask your local pharmacist for advice too but make sure you speak to the qualified pharmacist, not an assistant and you could also book an appointment with your GP. I would start with the optometrist as they are specialists in eyes and will tell you if you need to see your GP or get an ointment from pharmacist.

As for the migraine, it may or may not be connected. Have you had recent thyroid blood tests? If not, I'd get some tests done as you may be under or overmedicated but it could be something else entirely and you need to exclude thyroid hormone imbalance. You really need to see the GP about the headaches as they sound persistent.

[Hidden in reply to Nanaedake]

Okay thank you so much. I should check with an Optemetrist. I have an appointment tomorrow for a blood test.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

50mcg is only a starter dose. Bloods should be retested after 6-8 weeks and dose is increased in 25mcg steps. Retesting after 6-8 weeks each time

This continues until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

Also important to test vitamin levels

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

NHS guidelines saying standard starter dose is 50mcgs

beta.nhs.uk/medicines/levot...

[Peanut31]

Hi

I’ve been experiencing terrible headaches every day recently and it’s unbearable.

I’m on 125mcg of Levothyroxine .

I think mine is connected to my stiff neck and shoulders muscles and it’s a tension headache, from the moment I wake up they start.

They will not go away, so I can sympathise you with fully.

I’m going to my GP about it.

I have my eyes tested once a year, but I’m going to see if they can test them again incase it could be I need glasses etc.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Speccy]

I had daily migraine and swollen puffy skin around the eye, the brow and under the eye. T4 and T3 helped the swelling and daily 400mg of magnesium powder at night helped with the headaches. I still think I'm medicated. Maybe you should check you eye and headaches with your GP and ask for a neuro referral as only they can put your mind at rest. Good luck

[izza]

I have puffy skin around the eyes too and my eyebrows are permanently swollen and bold. My whole face used to be swollen and painful but this went away almost immediately once I switched from levothyroxine to NDT. I also used to get a lot of headaches, but it is quite rare now and my eyes are nowhere as bad as they used to be. I guess that something is still not 100% but I feel a lot better. This may be worth try for you too.

[jenipim]

I get a swollen lid too. My eye doctor said this is very common with thyroid issues, even if your blood levels are fine. My lid flares up about once a year for about a week or so, then goes back to normal.