Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) isn't usually associated with eye disease. In severe cases, however, hypothyroidism may cause swelling around the eyes and a loss of the hairs in the outer part of the eyebrows.
A common cause of bulging eyes is an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). This is where the thyroid gland (a small gland in your neck), produces too much of the thyroid hormones. Less common causes of bulging eyes include: an infection or injury around or behind your eyes.
This inflammation can push the eyes forward (“staring” or “bulging”) or cause the eyes and eyelids to become red and swollen. In some individuals, the inflammation may involve the eye muscles, causing the eyes to become out of line, leading to double vision.
“Hypothyroidism can affect facial features in many different ways, including facial puffiness, loss of hair from the outer part of the eyebrows, and in particular, swelling around the eyes,” says Ronald Lechan, M.D., Ph.
This is called thyroid eye disease or Graves' ophthalmopathy. The tissues and muscles that surround your eye become swollen. This can cause your eye to move forward and bulge out. This can happen before, after, or at the same time as other signs of hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid conditions—both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism—can cause under-eye bags or circles. Treating these conditions will often help improve your eyes' appearance.
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.
Hypothyroidism is underactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to inadequate production of thyroid hormones and a slowing of vital body functions. Facial expressions become dull, the voice is hoarse, speech is slow, eyelids droop, and the eyes and face become puffy.
In hypothyroidism, facial changes include dulled expression, drooping eyelids, and puffiness of the eyes and face. Signs found in hypothyroidism are usually subtle, and their detection requires a careful physical examination.
Hyperthyroidism (particularly Graves disease) is the most common medical cause of bulging eyes. With this condition, the eyes do not blink often and seem to have a staring quality. Normally, there should be no visible white between the top of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the upper eyelid.
If you have a lot of swelling behind your eyes, your doctor may prescribe steroids (like prednisone) or other medicines (like rituximab) to help reduce swelling. Your doctor may also recommend a new medicine just for Graves' eye disease called Tepezza (teprotumumab).
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.
Low thyroid levels often lead to droopy eyelids or having a puffy and swollen face. Furthermore, little to no eyebrows can also signal hypothyroidism, as hair loss is also associated with the condition.
Even mild cases of hypothyroidism may increase the risk of weight gain and obesity. People with the condition often report having a puffy face as well as excess weight around the stomach or other areas of the body.
Once stabilized, it is unusual for the eyes to start changing again. Some patients are left with permanent changes, and in others the eyes return to normal. A great deal can be done to improve these conditions with medical treatment, although some patients will need surgery to help ease their issues.
Dry skin is one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism. With less thyroid hormone, the skin becomes thinner and more scaly because of dead skin cells — resulting in dry skin. Dry skin is more likely to affect the skin on the arms and legs above the joints, but it can involve the palms and soles too.
Macroglossia, dysguesia, poor periodontal health, aberrant tooth morphology, delayed wound healing, delayed eruption of teeth, burning mouth syndrome, and dry mouth are all common oral manifestations of hypothyroidism.
Myxedema crisis (also called myxedema coma), the most severe form of hypothyroidism, is rare. It occurs when thyroid hormone levels get very, very low.
The first blood test typically done to diagnose hypothyroidism measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood. If it's high, the test is done again, along with a blood test for the thyroid hormone T-4 . If the results show that TSH is high and T-4 is low, then the diagnosis is hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can play a role in double chin development. When you don't have enough thyroid hormone, you can feel tired and gain weight because your body's metabolism dramatically slows down. Some of this weight gain collects around your chin.
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.
Anyone can develop hypothyroidism, but people ages 50 years and above are at greater risk, and women are at higher risk than men. Only a small percentage of people have full-blown (overt) hypothyroidism.