Eye dryness with Armour

[ThyroidFrazzled]

Hello

Although I don't post much, I read almost everything that is shared here. This forum has been so extremely helpful to me on everything thyroid related and I'm wondering if what I am experiencing now is shared by anyone or if someone has insights that can help.

I have been on Levothyroxine 100 since 1992 and two months ago shifted to Armour. (2.5 grains per day), prescribed by a private Endo in the UK. I worked up slowly to reach the 2.5 dose, starting with a half a grain. I reached the full 2.5 grain dose last week.

I have had dry eyes for several years (thank you Hashimoto) but over the last 4 weeks or so this has become more severe and my eyelids are now very red and are really very sore. I saw an ophthalmologist last week who prescribed ointments and eyedrops but there is no improvement.

I am wondering if:

a) The armour dosage is not yet at the right strength, I am due for lab tests in 2-3 weeks. Can not being on the right strength affect my eyes like this, with them becoming much more dry?

b) I am also on HRT. I know that balancing thyroid hormones with HRT is something of a see-saw. Is it possible that the increase in T3 is adversely affecting estrogen uptake, hence drier eyes ?

c) I'm just having extra dry eyes for some other unknown reason that has nothing to do with starting Armour or the uptake of my HRT.

Does any of this sound familiar to anyone?

[Tina_Maria]

Many people report that their dry eyes are related to their T3 levels - lower T3 levels, more symptoms of dry eyes / blepharitis.

If you have recently started HRT and increased your oestrogen, this could interfere with your thyroid hormones, as oestrogen can increase the amount of thyroid-binding globulin (TGB), which can decrease the amount of free thyroid hormones. So you may need to actually increase your thyroid hormones after starting HRT, as you will have less free hormones available, and especially less T3.

Have you got some recent thyroid function tests you could share?

[ThyroidFrazzled in reply to Tina_Maria]

Thank you for replying, Tina Maria. Yes, you are right in the case of women starting HRT

I have been on HRT for quite a long time - several years - always on the same dose (Estradot 100 patches and Uterogestan 200) .

Its the Armour that is new.

Am I correct in thinking that thyroid hormones and the estrogen both affect each other so an increase in one can sometimes necessitate an increase in the other - if I’m not mistaken ?

I will get bloods done this week with Medicheck and share. Thank you again

[Tina_Maria in reply to ThyroidFrazzled]

No worries. You are correct that there is a balanced relationship between thyroid hormones and oestrogen levels, but if you have been on the same dose of oestrogen for a while, this should be a constant now and it is very likely that your thyroid hormones need adjusting, especially since you have changed thyroid medications.

[jamesal0]

Do you have any of the following - tingly tongue tip, finger pad or foot pad tingles, sore joints toes, loosing weight, extra snappy, heart palms, head ache about an hour after taking NDT. In my opinion these are all signs of taking too much NDT. If you think you might be taking too much, drop back a little and see if eyes get better

[ThyroidFrazzled in reply to jamesal0]

Thank you - I started to feel wirey and anxious for a couple of hours in the morning when I reached 2.5 grains. Am pondering dropping back to 2 grains or 2.25

[JaniceJ7]

You could try splitting your dose to see if that helps. I'm taking 3 grains and, to begin with, I took 2 grains in the morning and final grain it the afternoon. It was a bit fiddly trying to fit it in 2 hours after and 1 hour before food but I did it for a while. Eventually, I just started taking it all around 4-5am (usually up at the loo around then) and going back to bed.

Also on HRT and didn't notice any difference with thyroid levels when I started on HRT

Dry eyes - I had dry, itchy eyes years ago when I was on Levothyroxine and still had a thyroid. It turned out I was allergic to the preservatives in the stuff I used to clean my contact lenses and in the eye drops I was given to help the dryness. Could you be allergic to something?

When I was pregnant, my eyes changed (probably thyroid related) and I couldn't wear contact lenses any more. Haven't worn them since. (Oldest is in his mid thirties now!)

[Chriskisby]

I too have the same problem with dry eyes. My optician prescribed me Carbomer eye gel, which sooths the dryness. It needs to be used several times a day, but I don't think it is curable. As you say, one of the joys of Hashimotos!

[ThyroidFrazzled in reply to Chriskisby]

I will look for it - thank you !

[pennyannie]

Hey there :

Just ensure all eye ointments. drops, sprays or potions are Preservative Free :

It could be the fillers in the Armour -

Efra the Canadian brand of NDT is said to have ' less fillers ' and preferred by some who are with Hashimoto's ?

Mind you with this current daily ' brightness of light '- I'm finding going out for any length of time making my eyes very sore.

[ThyroidFrazzled in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you - that is very helpful .

[Avoapp]

Hi, the dry eye issue sounds annoying and frustrating. Apart from identifying any causes, I can suggest the following, which in general, can be helpful for reducing dry eye discomfort and and the occurrence of dry eyes: blink frequently, close eyes often for several seconds and whenever they're not needed. Avoid and wean off sunglasses use except when necessary for skiing/on water/ocasional bright sunshine when driving and get plenty of daylight each day. Rest eyes as much as possible, try using a compress on your eyes, of whatever temp you like, several times a day while resting. Manuka honey and Castor Oil are said to possibly be helpful for dry eyes. Regular daily Palming is very helpful. All of the Bates techniques, such as Palming, Swinging etc, which release strain from the eyes, if practised reguarly, will likely be helpful. Info on Palming: seeing.org/techniques/palmi.... If you find a Bates Method teacher, they can guide you further on helping dry eyes and releasing tension from the eyes.

[ThyroidFrazzled in reply to Avoapp]

Thank you for all this advice

[Avoapp in reply to ThyroidFrazzled]

You're welcome