Is my eyes like this because of graves??

[Flower1703]

Does anyone know if this is graves related?? My eyes have been like this for the past month and I am due to see my consultant next week so will show him but I would like to know if anyone could tell me what is.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Ask GP or specialist for an ophthalmology referral. Do this as soon as possible. Do not wait another month. Your eyes appear to be watering, puffy and a mild “staring” appearance. It may be they way you are looking / photo taken. but this could indicate Thyroid Eye disease. (TED) Are they sore? Painful? Gritty. Sensitive to light?

This charity is free to join and has excellent information on all things related to thyroid eye disease (TED) tedct.org.uk. (They also have Facebook page & advice line)

I understand how worrying eye issues are but your specialist should be well aware of TED association & Graves. TED & Graves both stem from the immune system attack on health tissues although they act as independent conditions & are treated by separate specialist. If they say it’s unrelated or does merit a referral, stay calm be polite & persist.

Complications are very rare with TED, so don’t google worst case images and panic.

Selenium supplements daily is recommended. You can buy over the counter. Check the label for absorbable forms, selenium l-selenomethionine and yeast bound selenium are best, avoid selenite and selenate.

Usual dose is 200 mcg sometimes written as ug (not mg) (EDITED to clarify)

Patient information often given by hospitals

btf-thyroid.org/thyroid-eye...

Read through this & check off symptoms to take to doctor.

When levels become too low TED is often worse, or triggered. Have your levels been checked recently to ensure they are in range and medication adjusted by FT3 & FT4. TSH will not be reliable after being hyper.

Do you have access to your results?

Full thyroid function & nutrients you need test for following>

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies TPO & TG

Trab or TSI if Graves suspected < very often all hyper treated as Graves so essential to confirm.

Folate

Ferritin

B12

Vitamin D

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to PurpleNails]

200mg of selenium

200 micrograms (mcg) - don't want to cause confusion when the product doesn't match that!

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi Flower1703, my thyroid eye disease (TED) started with one eye being slightly larger, so you are doing the right thing checking any eye concerns with your endocrinologist. If your endo suspects TED, then do ask to be referred to a TED specialist ophthalmologist.

Did you check if your Graves is confirmed by an antibody test (as recommended in a previous post)? I had ‘hyper’ symptoms & was diagnosed as Graves on symptoms, but antibodies clearly now show Hashimotos.

It’s really important even with mild TED to start selenium (200mcg day), stop smoking (if applicable) and lubricate your eyes with preservative free drops if they feel dry or gritty. I use HycoSan or Hyloforte. Please be assured, if you have TED, things will improve with the correct treatment. My top tip is to leave Google image search well alone, as you will scare yourself silly & stress will not help. I’ve found taking regular photos of my eyes very useful (I store in hidden images) as I’ve got a point of reference to discuss with my endo/ ophthalmologist. It’s really important that your thyroid medication & key vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 and D3) are optimal; do you have any blood tests to share? Sending you very best wishes 😊

[Flower1703 in reply to Buddy195]

I went to opticians today and they've said that my eyes are slightly pushed forward and my eyesight has got bad so they've referred me to eye clinic at the hospital but perscribed me this gel stuff for my eyes because I am not blinking enough it that makes sense.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Flower1703]

I’m glad you’ve been to the optician & have a referral to ophthalmology. I needed to use drops for lubrication regularly & wore sunglasses due to light sensitivity (I still wear reactive lenses).

Are you taking selenium?

helvella is right it’s 200mcg per day. Do not exceed 400mcg as it can be toxic above this level. Studies show this can help with mild TED, so I would definitely recommend this. Some people choose to eat a couple of Brazil nuts instead of a supplement but the selenium content of nuts varies according to soil type, so I prefer a tablet to ensure I’m supplementing correctly.

I’ve found TEDct extremely helpful & they have a telephone advice line, useful information packs & a Facebook group. You need to be wary that a lot of literature / images-focus on ‘worse case scenarios’ & it’s easy to panic. I just wanted to reassure you that my eyes now look so much better than they did 18 months ago. It is vital your thyroid medication is optimal; can you share a recent blood test?

Please keep posting if you need further advice or support; we are here to help each other! 😊

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Will edit my post so not to confuse!