THE EYES HAVE IT

William Shakespeare said, “The eyes are the window to the soul”…

If someone were to peak into my eyes, they would see a soul wearing boxing gloves punching the heck out of my thyroid disease.

I have spent many years trying to figure out this cryptic disease and its' devastating affects on so many body parts.

Remembering back to when I was first diagnosed, my doctor described the symptoms I could experience. Talking in her usual Speedy Gonzalez manner, her prognosis was difficult to follow, until she got to the part about my eyes…MY EYES???...did you say my eyes?

That was scary!

It's difficult to remain calm when there is a possibility of any eye deterioration, but we must do so because undue stress has no place in an autoimmunees life. Staying hyper vigilant (sans paranoia) is the best thing for us, when it comes to our bodies.

Eye problems can be common for those suffering from thyroid disease, other endocrine disorders or autoimmune diseases-such as Addison’s, Graves’, Sjogren’s syndrome and Diabetes…just to name a few.

Some common eye problems associated with the aforementioned afflictions are:

Dry Eyes–A decrease in tear production.

Eye Twitching–Twitching or spasms around the eyes.

Floaters–Small moving spots that appear in your field of vision.

Continuous eye watering–Primarily a symptom of hyperthyroidism.

Snow Vision–People see snow or television like static in parts or in their entire field of vision.

Blurry Vision–Lack of sharpness, inability to see fine detail.

Double Vision–Seeing two of everything.
Double Vision–Seeing two of everything.

(hahhahahaha, I couldn't resist)

Puffy eyes-Usually associated with hypothyroidism.

I know it can be a hassle, if you are like me thinking…”Ugh, I don’t feel like going to another doctor for incessant check-ups, but we have to keep kicking our illness' butt!

Now go my fellow thyroidians…put YOUR boxing gloves on and keep fighting!

The Crazy Thyroid Lady

THYROID TeeTeeR ToTTer

I’ve swayed back and forth on the thyroid see-saw, for many many years now. Hyper/Hypo/Hyper/Hypo…Shooo, I’m dizzy! But, one good thing has come out of this recreation; I am sooo in tune with my body.

For example:

FOOD

Hypo-Don’t have much of an appetite, during this time. Digesting food is a sloowwww process! I believe Thanksgiving’s turkey dinner is still in there (sorry, that was gross). This is what’s frustrating about hypo, you are eating the least amount of food in a group setting, yet may be the only one who will visibly wear those calories in a day or two.

Hyper-Can’t seem to get enough to eat. I try to stay away from the grocery stores during this time. I want sugar, sugar and more sugar. I supremely crave a Dairy Queen Waffle bowl, (dipped in chocolate) ice cream sundae. What is crazy is that ordinarily, I don’t care for ice cream much. I seriously can’t have sugar near me, or else it is just not a fair fight.

SKIN

Hyper-My nails begin growing out of control. This is usually the first thing I notice when I am getting to much thyroid medication because I type on a keyboard for a living. Clickety-clacking nails on a keyboard are worse than nails on a chalkboard in my opinion. My skin is as smooth as a baby, this is one big plus for hyper.

Hypo-Skin becomes sandpaper-like. I can douse my skin in baby oil, yet, still take off a layer of paint with my forearm.

EYES

Hyper-Watery eyes and snow vision (snow vision is - visual symptom where people see snow or television-like static in parts or the whole of their visual fields, especially against dark backgrounds. It is much like camera noise in low light conditions). My eyes also look like I am on crack-cocaine-very wide eyed.

Hypo–Eyes are fine, but just a little dry.

NEURO

Hyper–Bad mood, irritable, jump sky high in the air if someone comes up behind me. My nerves are shot. No patience. Caustic tongue.

Hypo-Much more pleasant to be around. Don’t have the caustic speech because my brain cannot think fast enough to keep up with most conversations.

**Too Hyper–Weepy, hateful and just a monster that the Boogey man would be afraid to pal around with.

**Too Hypo–Apathy. Don’t care much for anything really. Beyond depression. The actual Boogey man could jump out from my closet with a hatchet and I probably would not blink.

OTHER

Hyper-Constant foot tapping, Fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness.
Hypo-Fatigue, forgetfulness

Consequently, the next time I visit my Endo, GP, Gyno, Cardio, Chiro, Ortho, ENT and Ophthalmologist with any new concerns. I will tell them to please understand something, don’t dismiss me because...

I KNOW MY BODY!

I want to hear from you! What have you noticed when you seem to be getting too much or not enough thyroid hormone?

Crazy Thyroid Lady