Thyroid eye disease is a serious medical condition that can cause a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. It is important to understand thyroid eye disease in order to recognize the signs and symptoms and to take the necessary steps to manage and treat the disease effectively.
What Is Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease is a medical condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much of a hormone called thyroxine (also known as T4). Thyroxine is needed by your body to regulate your metabolism and to help control your body’s temperature.
The thyroid gland is located at the base of your neck near the Adam’s apple, just below your larynx. The thyroid gland produces two hormones called T3 and T4. T3 is the active thyroid hormone that is responsible for regulating your metabolism and controlling your body’s temperature. T4 is the inactive thyroid hormone that is also produced by the thyroid gland. This inactive hormone appears in your bloodstream and travels to the cells throughout your body, including your eyes and brain.
Causes of Thyroid Eye Disease
There are several reasons why thyroid eye disease may develop:
- Excess thyroid hormone: The inactive thyroid hormone (T4) produced by the thyroid gland travels to the cells throughout your body, including your eyes and brain. When the thyroid gland produces too much of this inactive thyroid hormone, it can have damaging effects on your eyes and brain. One of these damaging effects is called thyrotoxicosis. Thyrotoxicosis is a condition in which there is an excessive production of thyroid hormone. Thyrotoxicosis can be caused by conditions such as hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease.
- Hypothyroidism: When the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, it may be called hypothyroidism. This condition may be caused by conditions such as Hashimoto’s disease or by medications such as lithium or amiodarone.
- Medications: Medications that may cause thyroid eye disease include lithium, amiodarone, methimazole, and propylthiouracil (PTU).
Symptoms
Thyroid eye disease may cause some or all of these symptoms:
- Exophthalmos (bulging eyes): Exophthalmos is a condition in which there is a bulging of the eyes. Exophthalmos is caused by an overproduction of thyroxine in the eye. Exophthalmos can be caused by hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease. If you have exophthalmos, you may notice that the veins around your eyes are visible and that the tissues of your eyelids bulge outward. The tissues around your eyes can be swollen and red. These symptoms can be very painful if they are not treated promptly.
- Optic nerve changes: Optic nerve changes are changes to the optic nerves in the eye. Optic nerve changes can be caused by excessive production of thyroxine in the eye. Optic nerve changes are often caused by Graves’ disease, which is a condition in which there is an overproduction of thyroid hormones. In Graves’ disease, there may be inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis). The inflammation can cause swelling, redness, and pain in the eye. If you have optic neuritis, you may notice that you have blurred vision in one or both eyes. You may also notice double vision and difficulty with reading. These symptoms can be very painful if they are not treated promptly.
- Visual disturbances: Visual disturbances are changes to vision due to the overproduction of thyroxine in the eye. Visual disturbances can be caused by hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease. In Graves’ disease, there may be inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis). The inflammation can cause swelling, redness, and pain in the eye. If you have optic neuritis, you may notice that you have blurred vision in one or both eyes. You may also notice double vision and difficulty with reading. These symptoms can be very painful if they are not treated promptly.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history to help determine whether you have thyroid eye disease. You may also have some tests done to help determine whether you have hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease. Your doctor may recommend an ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to help determine whether you have exophthalmos and optic nerve changes. You may also have blood tests to check for levels of thyroxine in your bloodstream and to check for levels of other hormones such as cortisol and prolactin.
Treatment
Thyroid eye disease is a condition resulting from an overproduction of thyroxine in the eye. Treatment for this condition typically involves a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and/or surgery. Medications such as steroids and immunosuppressants may be used to reduce inflammation and swelling and to control the overproduction of hormones. Lifestyle changes such as avoiding smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce the symptoms of thyroid eye disease. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the bulging of the eyes and improve vision.
Recently, the FDA approved a new medication called Tepezza for the treatment of thyroid eye disease. Tepezza is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and blocks the receptor for the hormone thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which is involved in the overproduction of thyroxine in the eye. Tepezza is administered through an intravenous infusion over the course of several months.
Although Tepezza networthexposed has been found to be effective in reducing the symptoms of thyroid eye disease, it has also been associated with several adverse effects, including hearing loss. Patients taking Tepezza should be monitored for hearing loss and other potential side effects.
Call your doctor right away if you develop any symptoms of thyroid eye disease. If you experience any adverse side effects from treatment, you may be entitled to file a product liability or personal injury lawsuit.