Eyelids

[Odinil]

Ive been having problems opening my eyes in the mornings, my eyelids feel very heavy and i have to use my finger softly to open my eyelids. Also ive noticed that my face looks very puffy

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Both are symptoms of being under medicated..

Replied on previous post re your current very low dose levothyroxine

[Odinil in reply to SlowDragon]

Waiting for my replacement bank card that a cash machine decided to keep, been 10 days, should receive it today, the first thing i am going to do is book a blood test, im desparate to get it done. Thank you

[pennyannie]

Hello Odini

Just looking back at your previous posts, can I just add ;

A fully functioning working thyroid would be supporting you on a daily basis with approximately 100 T4 - synthetic Levothyroxine and 10 T3 -synthetic Liothyronine :

T4 is a storage hormone and you need to be able to convert it into T3 the active hormone that the body runs on, and I read T3 is about 4 times more powerful than T4 and one needs about 50 T3 daily just to function.

Your ability to convert the T4 can be compromised if vitamins and minerals are not maintained at optimal levels so it's in your best interests to get these checked out as well.

Since you haven't a working thyroid and your own T3 not replaced, you have, in effect, been down regulated by some 20% of your overall wellbeing.

I personally believe that if there has been a medical intervention and the thyroid surgically removed, or ablated with RAI, that both these vital hormones should be on the patient's prescription for if, and probably when, they will both be needed to ensure that both T3 and T4 are balanced, and at high enough levels within the ranges to be acceptable to the patient, returning quality of life, as surely that is what a doctor's job is all about, isn't it.

We all have our unique requirements of T3 and T4 and it's a balancing act - excessive T4 doesn't mean more T3 and will just make you more ill in a different way - I find it truly alarming reading of your experience.

Eye issues are common with thyroid disorders, and if you want to try some lotion, potions or drops to ease them overnight just make sure whatever product you buy that the content is preservative free.

[Odinil in reply to pennyannie]

I can't wait to post my results on here

[pennyannie in reply to Odinil]

I felt the same a few years ago when I first found this amazing forum :

It is a massive learning curve, and the Thyroid uk website is a good place to start.

You'll also learn a lot just by reading other people's posts and the answers they receive.

It's such an wonderful charity, and deserves mutual support for all that it does for us.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Hypromellose eye drops good for dry gritty eyes ....can buy on eBay very cheap (as NHS no longer prescribe)

6 bottles approx £6

No doubt NHS likely paying around £10 a bottle

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SlowDragon]

Many hypromellose eye drops contain a preservative (typically Benzalkonium Chloride).

Even those who start out having no issue often become sensitive to preservatives. Anyone who needs eye drops for anything other than short-term use should make sure they get a preservative-free product.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to helvella]

What do you recommend

I have used a bottle a week of hypromellose eye drops over 27 years ....ever since started on levothyroxine

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SlowDragon]

When I had dry eyes (they have been pretty good since achieving an adequate levothyroxine dose), I used ViscoTears single dose unit - a carbomer - during the day. (The multi-dose product contains preservative). And LacriLube (a greasy product) at night.

However, I have seen many other suggestions and preferences from people with more recent experience - which is why I rarely jump in. Several products have only appeared more recently.

When I first started to get dry eyes, I used hypromellose drops, as most of us probably do. I found I had to use them several times a day. But, after a while, they seemed to offer no benefit. Yes - they felt OK when put into my eyes. But a day without using them felt no worse, and quite possibly better, than a day of taking them. It was then I read up and realised about the preservative issue.

[Odinil]

I have been using Evolve eye drops, a friend was recommended by Moorfields eye hospital, they do not contain any perservatives

[pennyannie in reply to Odinil]

You might also want to think about a heavier ointment for overnight use.

The one I was originally prescribed was " heavy duty " and I couldn't focus well at all, so used it only at night, and that was ok as I still saw my dreams !!!

I have a much lighter one, like water droplets for daytime use, in single use pods.

You may find after a while that you need to switch brands :

[Odinil in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks for advice

[Marz in reply to Odinil]

Who makes this product ? When I googled it - eye serums appeared from Holland and Barrett !!!

I am awaiting cataract surgery and my eyelids are very heavy in the morning and eyeballs hurt. Had clear gloopy stuff too ! When I spoke with the surgeon he told me to cleanse eyes with J&J Baby Shampoo - I was not happy - sigh !

[Odinil in reply to Marz]

I wouldnt even use that shampoo on my hair let alone my eyes.

The drops i use are Evolve Hypromellose lubricating eye drops preservative free

Medicom Healthcare Ltd London

You can buy them over the counter

[Marz in reply to Odinil]

Nor me ! J&J have a shocking record ! Thank you for the info - appreciated 🌻

[Marz in reply to Odinil]

Bought the drops you mentioned - used once - and already feel much better. Thank you for your post and suggestions 🌻 At least I can now resolve things before my cataract op next week !

[Odinil in reply to Marz]

Oh im so pleased its helped, good luck with your op

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Marz]

There is much irony in that advice.

In the UK, it is baby bath products that are rigorously tested. Not baby shampoos.

J&J baby shampoo has several things that might cause issues such as the perfume (which many of us associate with baby care).

I know because, many years ago, I did use baby shampoo - the cheapest from (if I remember right) Asda! For some reason, one time when I needed a new bottle, I got J&J. Went from doing just what I wanted and expected to causing significant discomfort in my eyes. Needless to say, I didn't use it again. But at that time I checked and found the baby bath/baby shampoo distinction.

(I think at the time Asda baby shampoo was pretty much exactly the same product as their baby bath. But don't rely on that.)

[Marz in reply to helvella]

I ended up with an Asda Very Gentle Bath product which I have been using for a week. Pharmacist mentioned J&J Shanpoo was the usual product for gloopy eyes ! She seemed a little put out with my rejection !

Thanks to this thread I have come to the conclusion it is Dry Eye as I responded well to the drops. I thought it was a leftover from a recent bad time with sinusitis ! Thank you for more background with your experience ! An Anti J&J group on the march !!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Marz]

If you see her again, let her know!

[asiatic]

I have TED. After a lot of experimenting I have found the following help. All are preservative free and on prescription from GP

Optive Fusion by Allergan

Hylo-Tear by Ursapharm

And for night use the thicker

Lacrilube (now unavailable )

Xailin Night by Medicom.

When my eyes were at their worst I was given IKERVIS eye drops which really helped the dry eyes. However it is expensive and can only be prescribed by an opthalmologist.

Cold and hot compresses helped too.

[Odinil in reply to asiatic]

Yes i was offered a mask that you click and it warms up, like the ones you can get for your hands, 7.99 at Specsavers but they advised that i ask if ok to use once i have been for my hospital eye appointment

[asiatic]

If you have an appt. at eye hospital the opthalmologist should prescribe something to help. Re baby shampoo. I have used Boots "good bubble " baby wash for years to remove the thick lubricant I use overnight on my eyes and it has never caused any problem with my ultra sensitive eyes