Graves' Disease Support Group

Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...

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Endocrine System
/ Graves' Disease Support Group

Eyes

kendrac26
kendrac26
I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease about 4 years ago. I had radioactive iodine and after 3 years I am FINALLY normal on all my labs. When I go for my check ups my doctor is always concerned about my eyes. He tells me that if they ever start to hurt or become irritated I need to call him right away. For the past 2 days my eyes have been sore, they're not red, but they do have a lot of gunk in them. I was checked for pink eye but it came back negative. So I'm a little nervous. Should I call my doctor or am I just being paranoid?
jjbrookes
jjbrookes
Sounds like you have a nice doctor on your hands to be concerned with your eyes...my doc had no clue about the eye aspect to graves.

I too had RAI in 2008. I did end up getting TED (thyroid eye disease). Two major things can cause TED. 1. After RAI your graves' antibodies rage out of control and can cause (in my case) TED. 2. A fall into hypothyroidism - meaning a doctor dosing you according to your TSH result. After RAI it's super important to have your Free T3 and Free T4 in addition to your TSH blood tests done. Your synthroid dose should be dosed by your Free T4 result and not your TSH. If your Free T's fall too low (for your body's needs) TED can be triggerred.

I would call your doctor, just to be on the safe side.

Take care :)

P.S. www.elaine-moore.com is our expert on graves'. She too had RAI.
dairytech
dairytech
I echo jjbrooks...keep a very close eye on your FT4. If you think your doc is dosing you by your TSH...find a new doc...Big Hugs...Kathy
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am dealing with delayed, very delayed diagnosing of TED. Double vision, the whole nine yards. Was told for months my eye problems were allergies.....my advise....SEE your doctor ASAP!!! Mine started out with a lot of tearing in one eye, and the vague feeling my eyes didn't want to work together. Please, please, please do not wait!!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Definitely talk to your Graves Specialist. I have Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), without any thyroid involvement. I have been taking liquid selinium selinite every day for over a year (my Dr. heard about it at a conference. Read about research), with good results (whether from the drops, or not, noone really knows). At least it doesn't hurt!
Also, I also have gunky eyes in the AM, and have had terrible pain from bright sunlight. My Dr. suggests that my eyes are too dry. I'd been using tears, but not often every day. Now I'm applying it several times a day. My intern also found (which may have nothing to do with it) that my kidney's show I'm not drinking enough. Causing dry eyes? Can't hurt to drink more water!
jjbrookes
jjbrookes
Hmmm Kidney and Thyroid, DHermine....

I too have what`s called `sponge kidney`. I also have had two huge kidney stones, one in each kidney. I`ve always wondered if it was related some how...

Let us know how you`ve made out, kendrac :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Graves, TED and many others are Auto Immune Diseases. which means that our body's immune system is mistaking our own organs as enemies. Diabetes is also Auto Immune. I have no idea if kidney stones are related, but you might do some reading on Auto Immune Diseases.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Kendrac26 hi, after rai when did you see improvement a month later 2 mths later? I did rai 3 weeks ago and I'm no longer hyperthyroid but I'm trying to get down to my normal level. Also with your graves did you suffer from any other problems? Like other immune disorder or pain of any kind? Or acid reflux?I hope to one day feel like how your feeling. I'm 20 years old diagnose with graves at 19.It would be great to receive some feedback:)
kendrac26
kendrac26
I really don't remember how long it took, it's been so long ago. I would say it wasn't much more than a month. I was low for a while before I got put on pills so I slept A LOT!! I also have interstitial cystis and acid reflux, whether they're all connected I have no idea.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Kendrac26 what are Imtestial cysts? Did that require surgery. I have acid reflux and I think maybe that is relate to graves...I'm 4 weeks into rai and I don't feel that way I guess maybe in a month I will.. But um yea sorry if I'm asking too many questions, it's because I'm the only one in my family that has graves and like my family and friends don't really understand why I feel like yuck sometimes:/
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