Diagnosing Thyroid Eye Disease


Thyroid eye disease can be diagnosed in a couple of ways. If your eye problem has caused you to seek medical attention, the ophthalmologist will use an exophthalomometer to measure how far your eyes are protruding from the sockets. This symptom  is often a good indicator that you have the disease. However, double checking your thyroid function to see if you have Grave’s Disease, is often recommended.  Some patients find out they have Grave’s Disease then realise the connection between their thyroid problems and their vision difficulties or eye discomfort.

Testing for Grave’s Disease can be done using three different types of tests. First, your GP will probably do a complete physical examination, including checking your eyes. Because thyroid eye disease can run in families, you may need to discuss your family history of the condition or of any thyroid problems. The physician will also pay attention to the signs of your metabolism because this may be affected if you have a thyroid problem.

Blood tests can be used to check the functioning of the thyroid. Additionally, a radioactive iodine uptake test can be administered to see how much iodine your thyroid is using. The thyroid uses iodine to produce thyroxine which is an important chemical for your body. If too much is being produced, that means your thyroid is overworking and is a sign of Grave’s Disease.

When your doctor suspects you may have thyroid eye disease, he or she may order a CT scan or MRI to get a better image of the eye. These images can show the bulging of the eyes and the swelling of the tissue behind them.

Steps Following Diagnosis

Once your physician or ophthalmologist has diagnosed you with thyroid eye disease, the next step is to determine the severity of your condition. The American Thyroid Association put together a seven-stage method of comparing the severity of the condition among patients. Where you fall on this chart determines the appropriate type of treatment for you. Below is the breakdown of the chart with the symptoms associated with each stage:

  • Stage 0 – You won’t experience any symptoms

  • Stage 1 – Your eye lid may not close all the way because of puffy skin

  • Stage 2 – You’ll see swelling skin around your eyes

  • Stage 3 – Your eyes will begin bulging from their sockets

  • Stage 4 – You may have problems moving your eye from side to side and may experience double vision, as a result

  • Stage 5 – Your cornea may begin to be affected by the condition

  • Stage 6 – You are suffering from vision loss because the pressure is interfering with the optic nerve.

Generally, if you are at stages 2 to 0, you probably do not need much medical help. Some advice may be given to help you deal with the discomfort. From stage 3 to 5, more intensive treatment may be recommended. Surgery is sometimes the choice preferred for you if you reach stage 6.

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