I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism a few months ago. My diagnosis explained alot of things that was going on with my body. Ive had big eyes since i was a tot and my aunt just mentioned to me that shes sees my eyes bigger than they were before. Does this mean that my hyperthyroidism is causing my eyes to become better. Im not taking any treatment for my hyperthryoid right now but when i do start taking it will it stop the bulging of eyes ? Is there any surgery i can do to correct this problem with my eyes?
2007-01-09 12:21:26 · 7 answers · asked by KAM 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Yes, hyperthyroid conditions (thyrotoxicosis, Grave's disease) can cause the eyballs to appear to bulge. This condition is called expothalamos. I hope that is spelled correctly, my notes and backpack from my medical coding program is buried in the closet, and I am too tired to get it at this hour!
When I was diagnosed with Grave's disease when I was 18, it explained alot of things happening to me as well, such as more hair than normal falling out (you won't become bald or anything, don't worry :) ) , what seemed like a constant low grade fever, intolerance to heat, fine, board straight oily hair, and a huge appetite. Treatment should improve your condition, it did for me. I took tapezole for a while, suddenly was hypothyroid, so I was taken off the medicine, and I tested normal for a while. I am now hypothyroid.
I reccomend you return to your doctor who diagnosed you or to see an endrochronologist, who specializes in the diseases of these glands. It is also bad for your heart to continue to have excessive levels of thyroid hormone in your blood, so get back to the doctor as soon as you can!
It is also a good idea to have members of your family tested for thyroid problems as well, as this usually runs in families. Women have thyroid problems more often than men. When I was first diagnosed with Graves, most of the women on my mother's side were tested and they all had thyroid problems, including my mother.
2007-01-09 19:29:28 · answer #1 · answered by Aspasia 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are 2 type of thyroid problems, I was diagnosed about 10 years ago. Had minor surgery and take a synthyroid pill every day.
No big deal. No problems. But I do go in every 12 months, or if I start feeling TIRED, and they do a blood test to see if my medication should be increased or decreased.
I take a pill at 50 mcg. My wife takes one at 150 mcg.
Have never heard the comment about the eyes. But if the doctor is watching, you should be fine.
Also, it doesn't cause any changes in lifestyle. I can travel, do sports, anything I could do before I was found to have the problem. But for a while, when I first started taking the medication, I could start feeling tired and would need to get home/lie down. This may have lasted about 6 months. But you can feel it coming on. If I didn't lay down, I felt like I had "run out of gas" - no strength.
2007-01-09 20:42:40 · answer #2 · answered by John Hightower 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My father has (had?) Graves Disease and had the same symptoms that Aspasia described. My father had surgery to remove his thyroid and was put on Synthroid which has been adjusted over the years. His eyes bulged so much that one didn't fully close when he slept. I believe that the progression stopped once his thyroid was brought under control. Several years after he had his thyroid removed he opted for eye surgery (on the worse eye) to correct the bulge, which up until that point he and his doctors considered too drastic a surgery to perform. They broke the bone of his eye socket and I believe removed some of the tissue behind the eye so that his eye could "sink" back into the socket. It did help but he only did it because he was having such trouble with the eye. It was always dry, it was always uncomfortable etc.
Good luck, hope this helps.
2007-01-12 11:25:02 · answer #3 · answered by porkchop 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
buldging of the eyes or proptosis is a sign of hyperthyroidism. The muscles connected to your eyes become larger and push the eyes from behind. This can cause an increase in eye irritation from dryness and can cause a problem stretching the optic nerve. I would see an eye doctor to see if you are developing grave's disease.
2007-01-10 17:32:49 · answer #4 · answered by idoc4u2 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it does cause bulging eyes...and if uncontrolled, can be very serious. I have Graves Disease, and my doctor measures my eye balls (to see how far they are sticking out), and if they bulge too far, stroids are needed.
2007-01-09 20:26:38 · answer #5 · answered by Moxie Crimefighter 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is .But with medication you can stop the progress.
2007-01-09 20:39:52 · answer #6 · answered by Elaine814 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we call them 'frog eyes'
2007-01-09 20:28:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋