Dry eyes, blepharitis, low T3

[DippyDame]

Dry eyes seem to have developed since chronic sinusitis developed last October, the sinusitis has generally been debilitating leaving me mostly in bed.

I'm now slowly beginning to feel a slight improvement and ready to address this.

Doctors have not found helpful answers! It's stress....which is nonsense!!

My first thought was that being unwell had lowered my T3 so I increased my 100mcg T3 dose by 6.25mcg last week to see if that made a difference

The dots are beginning to join up.....it's a long story I'm afraid!

I had a cataract operation last summer and that was followed by YAG laser treatment on the NHS to clear resulting cloudiness and restore vision. Six weeks after the YAG I got new varifocal specs but have had remaining blurring and now blepharitis....and dry eye! I was told it would resolve once my eyes and brain co-ordinated....a month on and it hasn't!

I have just now read that chronic inflammation ( sinusitis in this case) can affect the thyroid hormone receptors and therefore the hormone balance....resulting in undermedication.

So more reading....Dry eye can be a symptom of blepharitis which can be linked to hypothyroidism

This seems to be the answer......more T3

I think there is a slight improvement in my health since I increased the T3 and I'm now hoping to trial a further small increase to see if that helps my vision.

I have a form of Thyroid Hormone Resistance which requires the high dose of T3......my highest dose was 212.5mcg which eventually proved too much.

As receptors "wakened up" after more available T3 I was able to reduce my dose. I was fine on 100mcg for some time.

Today I'm seeing an audiologist because my hearing has also been affected....I suspect the reason is the same....low T3!

Hope this rant makes sense

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar......my thyroid function just gets more complicated

Thank you for reading this x

[Tina_Maria]

There seems to be a link between Hashimoto's and eye complications. Although eye disease is more common in people with Graves, I found a publication linking eye abnormalities to patients with Hashimoto's as well.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/201...

I had a bad episode of blepharitis myself a couple of years ago and in hindsight, it coincided with my T3 levels dropping by about 5%. I eventually managed to get on top of it, but I still have to be vigilant, so it does not get to be a bigger problem again. When you closely look into things, it is astonishing how much seems to be connected with a lack of T3!

Are you managing your dry eyes okay? Hycosan forte eye drops (without preservatives) and hycosan eye ointment for the night help me to keep it in check. I also do a hot eye compress 1-2 times per week to stimulate the glands and massage the eyes gently. Works quite well!

[Marz]

Red Light Therapy has cleared my "dry eye" issues. I use it 2/3 mins a day. I have a hand held Target 2.0 from Red Light Rising. Initially bought to treat MD then found it sorted the dry eye.I had cataracts removed followed by laser treatment since moving back to the UK.

Also use it on my back and knee issues.

On second thoughts I am now wondering if it put my chronic sinusitis into remission after so many years of struggling.

Glad your increased T3 is helping you... 🌻

EDIT: Meant to mention the research paper on the Red Light Rising website re AMD.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Marz]

Is that an infrared lamp? I have got an old infrared lamp I used to use when I had sinusitis, it reduces inflammation and helps to clear the infection and swelling. However, since Covid I have not had a cold or cough, so have not used it since.

Wondering now if it would help the eyes too .... 🤔 might try that!

[Marz in reply to Tina_Maria]

Go to Red Light Rising website to read about treating eyes - yes it's near infra-red light ....

[Starmen]

I have dry eyes from an autoimmune conditions called srojgens syndrome effects my eyes and mouth (dry mouth) I use eye drops prescribed by doctor viscotears and I use a microwavable eye mask I bought from Boots which helps. I also have RA and hashimotos think it's an autoimmune link .

[sparkly]

Yes, I last suffered with likely this in October, only know date as just looked on my camera roll. My eyes were quite bad that occasion, but usually, it's just the inner corner of eye lids that become red and sore. I have had drops and creams for it in the past. I also feel it's connected with my thyroid as in October my tongue was badly scalloped and swollen too ( photo next to said eyes 😂) and I upped my dose shortly after so must have been feeling pants.

Of course, you can't mention to the gp or endo that you think it's connected to low thyroid, they'd just roll their eyes at you 😂

[Sleepman]

Hardly a rant ... it is useful information. I am forming a notion that most things can be sorted if the body has enough T3. Question is, if we are ill do we need to top up more short term to help recover rather than less?

You helped me with my Mums conditions last week, and I think many things stem from undertreated thyroid hormones. She looked well when I saw her yesterday.

I saw doctor Monday at start of a month of lurgy and apparently it is also Sinusitis, I cannot imagine your misery of having it for 6 months. I have been given steroid nose drops (mometasone) and I am now looking to do salty water washes of my nostrils.

After our "chat", I upped my T3 part of T3/T4 treatment last week but it has not immediately helped - but as we know things are slow to recover ...

[DippyDame in reply to Sleepman]

Glad your Mum looks well.

I had Mometasone for several months but after trying various things I settled on Sterimar Cold and Sinusitis nose spray. I buy it from Amazon. Sterimar also do a good nose salt rinse

I found a warm Hottie was helpful, heated in the microwave and held on the face over sinuses

Yes I'm convinced the answer to many health issues is T3....if the cellular level is low it affects the whole body.

I've just increased my dose and hope that helps...just have to wait and see!

Be aware of any signs of overmedication, raised resting heart rate, hand tremors, heat intolerance....you know what they are.

Yes, I think illness requires extra T3.....but that will vary for the individual. In time the dose will likely need to be reduced.

I hope things go well for you....be kind to yourself