Thyroid Graves Disease: Anyone else?

Hi @quiteachiver75, Are you able to share what kind of symptoms you are having with your eyes with your Thyroid Graves' Disease?

The following information from the Mayo Clinic page on Graves' disease here https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/graves-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356245 may offer some help:

These steps may make your eyes feel better if you have Graves' ophthalmopathy:

-- Apply cool compresses to your eyes. The added moisture may soothe your eyes.
-- Wear sunglasses. When your eyes protrude, they're more vulnerable to ultraviolet rays and more sensitive to bright light. Wearing sunglasses that wrap around the sides of your head will also lessen the irritation of your eyes from the wind.
-- Use lubricating eyedrops. Eyedrops may relieve the dry, scratchy sensation on the surface of your eyes. A paraffin-based gel, such as Lacri-Lube, can be applied at night.
-- Elevate the head of your bed. Keeping your head higher than the rest of your body lessens fluid accumulation in the head and may relieve the pressure on your eyes.
-- Don't smoke. Smoking worsens Graves' ophthalmopathy.

John

Is vaping included in the, don't smoke, comment?

I would refrain from vaping too. You can read more in this article. https://www.verywellhealth.com/cigarette-smoking-and-thyroid-disease-3231732

It is my wife who has Graves’ disease. She quit smoking but took up vaping. She has other autoimmune issues that have not all been figured out. It’s possible she has lupus, but she is told that there is no actual test to confirm this illness. Everything really went bad about 9 years ago. Since then, she has had her thyroid removed completely, eye surgery to straighten out one of her eyes that got worse and muscles in her eye needed to be cut and she has been on steroids/all kinds of pills. Would someone know if the Mayo clinic could help her with all of her autoimmune issues? Most days she can barely move and she is in constant pain.

CongratS to your wife for being able to quit smoking. Vaping may be less harmful that cigarettes, but not safe or without health risks. I send her encouragement to reduce the vaping and maybe quit that too.

You can request an appointment at Mayo Clinic. You can either self refer or ask her physician to submit a referral. Here’s more information: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease over 20 years ago; hyperthyroidism and tachycardia. I do not have any symptoms related to my eyes, but I did have dermopathy of my lower legs. I had thyroid ablation 7-8 years ago. The dermopathy improved for some time but is returning. I have developed heat intolerance and exercise induced tachycardia (SVT). I’m looking for information on the heat intolerance which seems to precede the tachycardia.

Welcome @annieliz, I'm not sure this will answer all of your questions but I did find an interesting article that may help.

"On the other side, hyperthyroidism, usually caused by Graves' disease, occurs when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. This causes the metabolism to work harder, and the body's temperature to increase." --- Heat Intolerance: What Is It and How Can You Treat It?: https://www.imaware.health/blog/heat-intolerance

Have you discussed the new symptoms with your doctor to see if they have some suggestions to help with the heat intolerance?

Thank you for responding, the article you shared was very helpful. My doctor focused on the tachycardia, but I really feel it is heat induced. My heart rate was 150 last spring just pulling weeds in my yard. No exertion. Initially it occurred when riding my bike a couple years ago.
They haven’t found a cardiac explanation as yet, an electrophysiologist said it could be deconditioning or dehydration. It started when I was in better shape than I had been in quite awhile. Before that I could ride 45 miles a day without symptoms. Thanks again! Diane

A quick look at Grave's disease
Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid gland and causes autoimmune hyperthyroidism. In this, thyroid hormones secreted by an overactive thyroid gland speed up the body's metabolism, causing unexpected loss of weight. People of all ages are affected by Graves' disease. It is a leading autoimmune endocrine disease affecting females more than males. It is a condition in which the body's immune system creates autoantibodies and assaults the thyroid and pituitary glands, resulting in excessive thyroid hormone production. The cause of this immune system failure, however, remains unknown.
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I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism a few days ago. My symptoms were tremors and rapid heart rate. My blood showed and TSH of <.005 and the other number was 5.96. They took some more blood... I think it was to check for the markers for Graves. I also am waiting on a thyroidnuptake and scan.