In some people, an eye problem known as Graves' ophthalmopathy may develop if hypothyroidism develops after treatment for Graves' disease — the most common form of overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Graves' ophthalmopathy can cause eye discomfort, protruding eyeballs and vision changes.
Common eye symptoms in thyroid dysfunction
Unlike Graves' thyroid eye disease, where symptoms are overt, eye-related disease symptoms in hypothyroidism are subtle except in severe cases. Swelling may cause blurry vision due to pressure applied to the optic nerve. Similarly, hypothyroidism may cause dry eyes.
Thyroid disease can cause multiple eye problems. These include redness and swelling, double vision, decreased vision, eyelid retraction (inability to close the eyes), and a bulging of the eye itself.
The most common Hashimoto-induced thyroid eye disease symptom is dry eyes. Your tear ducts rely on hormones from the thyroid gland to produce lubrication for your eyes. Along with dry eyes, you might experience: Blurred vision.
Early symptoms of thyroid eye disease are itching, watering or dry eyes and a feeling of grittiness of the eyes. Some people may notice a swelling around the eyelids and sometimes the front of the eye becomes swollen.
Thyroid eye disease causes lots of inflammation, including in the soft tissue in and around your eyes and eyelids. You might get pain and pressure along with: Redness or bloodshot eyes. Swelling in the white parts of your eye.
Patients with hypothyroidism may also report aches and pains, swelling in the legs, and difficulty concentrating. Menstrual dysfunction, hair loss, decreased sweating, decreased appetite, mood changes, blurred vision, and hearing impairment are also possible symptoms.
Thyroid eye disease (also known as dysthyroid eye disease, Graves' eye disease, Graves' ophthalmopathy, or thyroid orbitopathy) is a disease that predominantly affects the extraocular muscles. It affects an estimated 400000 people in the UK assuming a 37.5 % prevalence of thyroid eye disease in Graves' disease (1).
A swollen fingertip, curved nail, and thickening skin above a nail are often signs of thyroid disease.
Thyroid hormones also influence the quality of your skin in various ways. For example, with hyperthyroidism, you may notice itchy and dry patches of skin. Your face may feel softer and swollen. You may even notice swelling around your fingertips.
In hypothyroidism, the time it takes for the skin cells to turn over increases. Because of this, your old cells stay on your skin longer. This will cause your skin to start feeling dry, rough, and scaly. You may start to notice wrinkles appearing or your skin starting to sag.
Because TAO can precede, coincide with or succeed the diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction, optometrists need to be capable of making an early diagnosis, as TAO can be vision-threatening, impact a patient's appearance and result in loss of quality of life.
Yes, dizziness is a symptom of a thyroid problem. Thyroid diseases³ or thyroid abnormalities sometimes manifest as dizziness. A high heart rate, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness are all possible symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
One of the rarer side effects of Synthroid is that it may cause blurred or double vision and eye pain. These symptoms may stem from swelling caused by taking too much thyroid hormone or an adverse reaction to the medication, like an allergic reaction.
Hypothyroidism causes many symptoms and signs like fatigue, lethargy, weight gain, cold intolerance, etc., it also causes hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus.
These are examples of brain fog, which is a common symptom of a low functioning thyroid. Hypothyroidism can greatly affect the function of the brain by causing memory loss, mental fatigue, dizziness and headaches.
Several risk factors have been identified in the development of TED including genetics and family history, sex (women are at a higher risk than men), cigarette smoking, and treatment with radioactive iodine treatment.
Hay fever, allergies, and inflammation of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis) can also cause symptoms similar to those seen in mild thyroid eye disease.
TED has 2 phases, and can be treated in both. The first is called the “acute” phase, which you may also hear your doctor call the “active” phase of TED. The second is called the “chronic” phase, which your doctor may call the “inactive” phase. This does not mean TED has gone away.
The 'Thyroid Stare'
When a person's eyeballs bulge forward, their eyelids become pushed back, and muscles that open and close the eyelids can also become more restricted. “This leads to the 'thyroid stare,' where patients look like they're staring,” says Falcone.
The most common sign of TED is upper eyelid retraction, unilateral or bilateral, that occurs in over 90% of patients12,13 (Figure 1). The resultant wide-eyed appearance allows for chronic eye exposure, especially during sleep.
One of the biggest risks of untreated thyroid eye disease is vision loss. The most common vision problems with Graves' orbitopathy include blurriness and double vision. Colors may also appear somewhat dull. In severe cases, thyroid eye disease may cause complete vision loss.
Hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism, making it more difficult to lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy body weight. But weight loss is still possible with hypothyroidism.