Are any other Hashimotos patients, prescribed T4 only, experiencing eye problems?

[sy28]

Levothyroxine alone is not making me well due to poor conversion. I suspect lack of T3 is a contributing factor to the blurred vision I am experiencing, along with other symptoms suggesting optic nerve investigation. My GP supports my three month trial request of T3 and has written to the Consultant who I am seeing again in April. I have read several forum members' reports referring to eye disturbances and blurred vision symptoms. I wondered how common this is among patients with autoimmune Hashimotos. I am seeing the optician again tomorrow who suspects some of my symptoms could be attributable to Thyroid. With his agreement, I am taking the optician's report to the consultant.

[shaws Administrator]

This may be informative:-

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[sy28 in reply to shaws]

Thanks, Shaws, but I don't have Graves or associated symptoms. I wonder if a lack of T3 is part of the problem.

[shaws Administrator in reply to sy28]

You need a Free T4 and Free T3 I believe as both should be in the upper part of the ranges. These are rarely tested. Follow the protocol for blood tests i.e. earliest possible etc.

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

[Nanaedake]

Blurred vision could be caused by a range of reasons and conditions. For example, if the inside of your eye is healthy, it could be blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, or inflamation caused by an autoimmune condition that affects the eye.

I read that eyes have 3 fluid layers that need to be in balance and any deficit can cause dry eye and blurred vision. A person might not realise they have dry eyes apart from some discomfort.

An optician should be able to evaluate health of optic nerve or refer onwards. They may not have the equipment to fully evaluate all conditions so ask for a referral to an opthalmologist or the eye department in a hospital setting if you don't get clarity from your optician. An endocrinologist might be able to do some relevant blood tests to rule out an autoimmune trigger but so could your GP. I would pursue it though as eyes are important.

[sy28 in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you, Nanaedake ... I too wondered if an autoimmune response was involved. Having spoken to the optician today and seeing him first thing tomorrow for further tests, I think we're agreed a referral might be required. I thought I'd explore opinion from forum members having read some were experiencing blurred vision or visual disturbances among their list of Thyroid related symptoms. As a photographer, writer and gardener these changes in my eyesight are troubling. Thank you for helpful comments.

[SilverAvocado]

I've had quite a few different eye related symptoms since I've been hypothyroid.

When I first became ill I had glasses that I only wore for occasional far away things. Over the course of my illness I've found I have to wear them all the time. This is my prescription getting stronger, but it's also something in addition to the exact strength of my need. As I've slowly improved I've worn my glasses a little less again, because I can more easily do things without 100% vision.

I've had dry eyes. Mine is possibly caused by radiation, but who knows. For me this is intermittent, when it flares up I can have eyes watering and uncomfortable to such an extent I have moments of not being able to open my eyes or see at all.

I've had swollen optic disks. This seems to have slowly got worse across my illness, although I've only had 2 sets of tests. My optician was really great about this, and a lot more interested and concerned than the hospital once I've been referred. I've been told this is 'normal for me', even tho I've got optician records showing it isn't. I'm getting told that by a lot of consultants in different specialisms these days. The only symptom of this is migraine auras, that come along for a few months then go again. Luckily I've had very few of the pain type migraines, but I can get very uncomfortable.