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...
Well, I saw the eye specialist today for my evaluation for TED. He is one that specializes specifically in thyroid eye disease. After my VERY thorough exam and a series of tests and hardly an answer, I asked "Is this allergies?" "Is this transient?""Is this due to my thyroid being removed?""Is this graves attacking my eyes?".... and he answered that it may be transient due to the removal of my thyroid and there is a possibility that it won't get worse but it won't get better than it is and my eyes may remain puffy. I asked if there was anything that can be done to alleviate the puffiness and he said to just monitor it for now... ARGH! REALLY? Seriously? You have got to be kidding me???
Moving on... on a brighter note... my new Internal Medicine doctor called- LOVE LOVE LOVE that guy. He's awesome! Got my lab results back from Friday and they read as follows:
Free T4: 1.2 (.8-1.8)
Free T3: 2.4 (2.3-4.2)
TSH: 4.30 (.40-4.50)
Looking good aside from my Free T3's being low... I guess my Free T4 could come up a bit and maybe then I'd feel a little better but overall, I feel pretty damn normal ASIDE from the marshmallow eyes :). So, I'm thinking when I lab the second week of November for my endo that if my levels haven't changed much by then, I will request a small dose of cytomel to help bring those Free T3's up.
What now??? :)
Hugs.
Moving on... on a brighter note... my new Internal Medicine doctor called- LOVE LOVE LOVE that guy. He's awesome! Got my lab results back from Friday and they read as follows:
Free T4: 1.2 (.8-1.8)
Free T3: 2.4 (2.3-4.2)
TSH: 4.30 (.40-4.50)
Looking good aside from my Free T3's being low... I guess my Free T4 could come up a bit and maybe then I'd feel a little better but overall, I feel pretty damn normal ASIDE from the marshmallow eyes :). So, I'm thinking when I lab the second week of November for my endo that if my levels haven't changed much by then, I will request a small dose of cytomel to help bring those Free T3's up.
What now??? :)
Hugs.
I have often thought of bleparoplasty for the puffies. I mostly have the prob in my lower lids. It makes me look older. It is expensive but I have suffered so long and hated it for so long that it makes me want to spend the money to do it. For now I use makeup. I haven't come across a puffy eye cream that actually works. But if anyone knows of one, I would love to try it.
You might want to see if you can figure out something to bring that Free T3 up. I believe low FT3 can contribute to eye problems as well since this is like a hypO symptoms for you. Low FT3 level will make the TSH rise.
When I was on a wee amount of beta blocker for awhile because I had higher FT3 to lower FT4, My TSH level did fine. But once the FT3 started dropping, the TSH shot up for me. I used this as a guideline that it was time for me to wean off of the Atenolol. At the end I was only on 3.125 mg per day. My TSH level then was over 4.? something. I didn't have puffy eyes, but had more dryness than usual...
For you, it is a similar idea but no beta blockers involved. Maybe start looking at the compound T3 to help you?
{{{hugs}}} :-)
Flaxseed oil with a bit of Salmon oil (contains preformed Vitamin A and Vitamin D3)
Dry form of Vitamin A with Vitamin E
Floraglo with Lutein and Bilberries (also contains other eye supplements)
Milk Thistle
and...???
{{{hugs}}} :-)