Ok, this is going to sound strange even I can’t wrap my head around it. For the past several months maybe even longer because it wasn’t so pronounced until past several months …. I see things (black shadows out of the corner of my eyes) very random night time only but now I'm having it during the day and before this shadow thing started to happen I would temporarily lose the vision in one eye (everything would be black) but would only last from a minute up to a few minutes and only at nighttime never during the day. Im constantly on high alert because of this shadow thing sneaking up and causes me to constantly jump.
My vision has gotten a lot blurrier over the past 5 years after thyroidectomy its like having your eyes open under water.
I been plagued with this since my thyroid removal, is it related or just a coincidence?
I also seen the eye specialist 2 months ago had tons of eye test and everything comes back no issues (I went for excessive eye watering) and horrible migraines. I do wear reading glasses (script is good) and I never mentioned seeing shadows because I don’t want people to think Im going crazy.
Please don’t say Im seeing ghost because this vision thing is starting to worry me Im constantly jumping because I keep thinking something is jumping at me and people look at me like Im having fits … it’s awful and could this be thyroid related ?
My Endo and GP won’t take my concern seriously or maybe they think Im nuts…. Im ready to go back to GP because I can't live constantly jumping … its bizarre.
Thoughts please thyroid or not … anyone have similar issue?
Written by
Batty1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I don't know if your vision problem has anything to do with your thyroid (or lack of it).
I wondered if you might be developing tunnel vision or a problem with your peripheral vision? A relative of mine developed this and he didn't have a thyroid problem that I know of.
Do you think it's some sort of halucination? Because it's well-known that thyroid and halucinations - visual, olfactory or auditory - can be connected. I have, in the past, experienced all three.
I'm afraid I don't know anything about migraines (touch wood!) although my mother had them and my daughter has them. But, it seemed to skip a generation with me. Migraines can be connected to thyroid.
Yes, I get migraines. Although I have different triggers, they are worse and uncontrollable when my thyroid levels are not good (for me). I have proved this with keeping a daily diary for how I feel etc and monitor my thyroid levels/symptoms and migraine frequency/symptoms.
Last year my migraines got considerably worse and my migraine medication didn’t help. I did a home blood test and found my FT4 was bottom of range. Upping my thyroxine by only 25mcg extra 2 days a week stopped the vomiting bad migraines. Once I’d spoken to my GP she did more bloods and upped my thyroxine a bit more.
I haven’t had a terrible vomiting migraine since - just the ones I can usually calm with an Imigran (sumatriptan) tablet. 😎 🤞🏻
Unfortunately, pre diagnosis of Hashimoto’s (and I knew nothing about it back then), I spent days and nights suffering with migraines that I got no help for and TSH levels at the top of range which were ignored and I wasn’t told about. Now I’m on patient access I can access my results (and some info) and I’m on here…….you all keep me sane 🤪
Sharing knowledge and experiences definitely helps us all to learn more.
Thank you greygoose for being so knowledgeable and helpful along with so many others on here ☺️🧁
OMG I was just discussing this with hubby last night. I used to have this - like there were people or animals in the shadows in my peripheral vision - as did my sister. It was purely B12 deficiency and went away quite quickly with injections for both of us.
My B12 levels were always high because I took tablets. However i still ended up with severe neuropathy. GP totally ignored me, so I started self injecting (SI) B12. It has fixed everything including thyroid intolerance. There is something called "Functional B12 deficiency" where your blood levels look fine but the B12 isn't getting into your cells. In my case it seems to be just normal Pernicious Anemia but there's still a functional component since my levels go high on tablets, but they do absolutely nothing for my symptoms. You can get HoloTC, MMA, and homocysteine tested but they might be "normal" as well. In that case, I think the only thing to do is do a trial of injections. You can join the PAS forum to read up on B12 deficiency: healthunlocked.com/pasoc
It wouldn't surprise me if it was a thyroid issue, but worth ruling out B12. Also important to rule out B12 because if it is that, and it goes untreated, nerve damage can be permanent. Good luck!
Do these shadows move around like ghosts or do they just stay to the sides of your vision? Have you had a scan done on your pituitary gland to check for tumors? I was having visual disturbances with headaches just prior to being diagnosed with overt hypothyroidism. My doctor suggested getting my pituitary gland scanned. I didn't have the scan done out of fear however, my issues have stopped since I started my levothyroxine, b12 and iron supplements. My vision issues were strange. Anything from double vision in each eye, watering eyes, dark spots/shadows in the corners of my eyes that seemed as if black liquid was slowly filling my eyes to a gel like substance in my eyes. Eye drops and eye washes did nothing to help it. Pituitary tumors put pressure on the back of the eyes, causing visual disturbances and migraines. Tumors can also cause sinus issues which I had.
Yes they actually do look like shadows moving (fast) past my side vision and occasionally front vision.
My migraines hit one eye (never both) and absolutely pound on the side of my head from my eye through my temple to side of my head … I don’t see flashing lights or floating spots although I guess shadows could be considered floating spots. I can now predict a pending migraine because my left eye will water excessively and within 2 to 3 days I have a migraine.
Interesting indeed. I have seen shadow ghosts my entire life, but what i've experienced regarding my thyroid issue was nothing like shadow ghosts. With shadow ghosts, I see them moving across my whole vision, not just from the side of my eyes. A house I grew up in, I would see 3 at the same time everyday coming and going in the same area of the house. I see it as a blessing lol. I see shadow ghosts here and there in other places. I have theories behind these ghosts after reading the bible, the 3rd eye chakra and science. Hopefully, you can get this figured out.
I am totally convinced that my migraines are caused by thyroid issues. But it is difficult to understand why - I can go months without one, then have them day after day, even more than one a day.
Thyroid also affected my vision - getting monocular diplopia (double vision in one eye only). Impaired tolerance top bright lights such as oncoming headlamps. Reduced colour vision (like turning down chrominance on a television). Poorer focussing.
A decent level of thyroid hormone helps a lot! For me.
I am convinced that the issues are due to multiple impacts of thyroid hormone - on the retina, on the eye muscles, on the optic nerve, on the parts of the brain involved in processing vision - and the way that feeds into our ability to think and interpret. Each step might only be a little worse, but you more or less have to multiply up the impacts at each step.
I had a similar sounding experience. My vision in one eye greyed out, so that I could only see through a pin-prick opening in the centre. It lasted about 15 mins then went back to normal. I was worried that I had had a TIA. The doctors advised that it was an 'ocular migraine' and nothing to worry about. I don't get the normal type of migraine so I was quite surprised but I was tired and a bit stressed when it happened. You do get migraines so this could be a possibility that is worth considering.
Definitely look at B12 and as someone said maybe trial SI. I developed migraines in early pregnancy and suffered for years, since taking B12 not had a single one! Visual disturbances can be the start of migraine - I used to get “shattering “ like a kaleidoscope in my peripheral vision which would expand to whole vision. Your black spots could be similar? It’s worth a test?
I have had them. The kaleidoscope vision issue. Lasts about 20 minutes. Strangely I thought they were ocular migraines. Painless but very interesting once I learned not to freak out about them. Haven’t had one since taking thyroid medication.
I edited the post as well We use the term "SI" so often on the B12/PA forum, I was just typing on autopilot lol. (PA = pernicious anemia). Thanks for asking Happihealthyep Localhero
One of the myriad thyroid symptoms never mentioned, especially by the NHS. However you are right to be concerned. B12. Well is that not one of our major vitamins for the engine room of the hypothyroid? This surely must be a particular priority for you to get it to where it needs to be ! Best wishes.
Just a thought - if they are convinced you are nuts, ask for a brain scan. I have a friend who used to get dreadful migraine every month at the time of the month. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2018 at the age of 73 but now other types of dementia are being considered, especially vascular dementia. I would imagine vascular dementia is linked to migraines. How old are you? It would be worth having a brain scan if you can get it just to throw some light on the situation and for reassurance.
If you ask for a brain scan, given they are implying you are nuts, they will have to do it. That will prompt them to investigate the thyroid further because it is cheaper. I had a battle to get a prescription for thyroxine and HRT recommended by an endocrinologist so I said I had severe mental problems and given they did not think I needed the medication for the thyroid, could I have a brain scan for Alzheimer's. I got the thyroxine and HRT by return.
I had the same issue in one eye for about a year, I was subclinical hypo then. My right eye would be blacked out when I'd get up during the night. It has resolved now. The optician said it was a muscle issue in my eye, it was working hard. My right eye was weaker than my left. It was straining which was causing the blackness
A short video but really useful. It's about how sugar impacts peripheral circulation. Also the eyes/brain needs huge amounts of nutrition so B deficiency and C possible. If you take B12 also take a good multi B complex so you don't set up imbalance in your system. youtu.be/touPC69jMsg
Hi I’m finding your post interesting but unfortunately don’t have any advice. I’m currently seeing shadows at night. I woke last week in the middle of the night & saw shadow of someone by the window. I asked my hubby what he was doing. He answered sleeping till you just woke me! Input my arm out & he was next to me not by the window. A few nights later I woke to see my daughter at the side of my bed. Very clear this time. She rubbed her eyes then bent down & looked at my alarm clock turned & left. I’m guessing I’m having vivid dreams but interested because after 2 years of no B12 injections due to Covid my Endocrinologist told my GP to restart them & I had one last Monday. Is there a link??
Also have just increased my Thyroxine levels as my levels were high. Another possible link maybe 🤷🏻♀️ Hope you get some answers x
Even though your specialist eye tests have all come back clear, this does not rule out the possibility of ocular migraines, which can present in many different ways, or even seizures. These conditions do not have to have a thyroid-related cause. Personally, I have always had similar experiences affecting my night vision, seeming to see people and animals in the shadows, (sometimes causing me to jump), which are definitely not there. No night driving for me!
No she never mentioned ocular migraine’s and never thought my migraines were ocular since its the side and back of my head thats effected the most occasional its my eye … my older sister has ocular migraine’s and she describes them much different then what my migraines are like.
You can have both conventional and/or ocular migraines. The latter, just like conventional migraines, can result in a variety of symptoms such as temporary blindness, reduction in the field of vision and seeing various things like zigzag lines, spots or shadows. I would certainly take it as a positive that all testing of your eyes and vision has returned nothing out of the ordinary, and maybe resign yourself to the fact that this is just one of those strange things that we have to live with. However, if you are still concerned and bothered by this, perhaps a further opthalmology consultation could be arranged. Hope it will get sorted out soon.
With brilliant timing, just as the first lockdown began I developed posterior vitreous detachment where the sac that holds the gel in the eye detaches from the retina. I saw a lot of black floating things. It's like there is something dangling in your peripheral vision like a spider but when you go to wipe it away there's nothing there. I also get flashes of light, more often when it's dark. It sounds very dramatic but as long as the sac doesn't bring your retina with it when it detaches it doesn't affect your vision.
Hi they are called “floaters”! Any optometrist will tell you, it’s the gel substance inside the eye that sometimes comes loose and gets in your vision. Worked in optics for 15 years and I have had these all my life. It’s harmless as far as I know. Always best to get an eye test done and they will refer you if there’s something not right.
I think likely related. Read it somewhere but couldn’t possibly find where sorry. But yeah when I’m under medicated I see ‘people’ kind of out the corner of my eye and jump like I’ve see a ghost. Ensure you thyroid levels are good but it is worth telling the truth in eye exams!
Have you asked for your pituitary gland to be checked out? It could be you have a pituitary adenoma problem as tunnel vision and headaches and visual problems are well known symptoms.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Cognitive issues, thyroid related? 
Menopause or thyroid issue?
