Hypothyroidism Puffy Eyes: How to Find the Proper Treatment?
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is an autoimmune disease. It is also called Graves’ Orbitopathy or Ophthalmopathy.
It happens when the body’s immune system attacks the tissue around the eye. This causes the tissues around and behind the vision to become inflamed.
Most people with TED also have Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid gland.
Graves’ disease makes the thyroid gland work a lot (Hyperthyroidism) and vice versa (Hypothyroidism).
People with TED can have a thyroid that is too active, not active enough, or usually working. It can also happen when Graves’ disease is being treated.
Almost 5% of the general population is affected by Hypothyroidism, with 5% not diagnosed with the same.
One of the symptoms of Hypothyroidism is puffy eyes.
This article will help you to find suitable treatment options for Hypothyroidism puffy eyes.
Relation between Puffy eyes and Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, can seriously affect a person’s health and well-being. In addition, it can affect their look. Facial edema is one of the most frequent signs of this condition.
“Hypothyroidism can affect facial features in many different ways, including facial puffiness, loss of hair from the outer part of the eyebrows, and in particular, swelling around the eyes.”
Ronald Lechan (MD, Ph.D., endocrinologist and co-director of the Hypothalamic and Pituitary Disease Center at Tufts Medical Center in Boston)
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
In the early stages of Hypothyroidism, you do not notice any symptoms.
Listed below are some symptoms of puffy hypothyroid eyes.
- Changes in the way the eyes look (usually staring or bulging eyes)
- A gritty feeling in the eyes or a feeling that the eyes are too dry
- Eyes that leak
- Can’t stand bright lights
- The upper or lower eyelids swell up or feel complete
- New wrinkles around the eyes
- The eyelids and eyes are red
- The vision is fuzzy or double
- Eye pain, especially when looking up, down, or to the side
- Pain with eye movement
Puffy eyes from Hypothyroidism: Home treatment
As mentioned above, one of the symptoms of Hypothyroidism is puffy eyes.
Treating Hypothyroidism will eventually help to treat puffy eyes.
One can take specific measures to treat or reduce the puffy eyes from Hypothyroidism at home.
Dietary changes
Making specific dietary changes can help with the symptoms of Hypothyroidism.
A well-balanced diet full of nutrients and vitamins is the key.
One case study shows that eating food rich in Vitamin B12, Zinc, and Selenium can help.
Make sure to increase the following nutrients in your diet
- Iodine – It is essential for proper thyroid function. Lack of iodine in the diet is one of the leading causes of thyroid dysfunction all over the globe.
- Zinc – Zinc combined with vitamins A and C is crucial to produce thyroid hormones.
- Selenium – Selenium helps to bring thyroid hormone to normal levels.
Exercise
Exercise is beneficial for the body.
It improves the body’s energy levels and helps to secrete more thyroid hormone in the body.
Exercise can also increase the tissue’s sensitivity to thyroid hormone.
Exercising daily for 45 minutes can be helpful for hypothyroidism.
Stress management
Having too much stress can also affect thyroid hormone secretion.
Cortisol, a hormone produced by stress, can contribute to Hypothyroidism.
Meditation and yoga daily can help with hypothyroidism and eventually reduce puffy eyes.
Using tea bags
Tea bags can be beneficial in reducing puffy eyes.
The caffeine present in these tea bags also helps to reduce dark circles.
Tea bags have anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties that make skin healthier.
Soak the tea bags in warm water and cool them in a refrigerator afterward.
Place one teabag over an eye to reduce eye puffiness.
Cold compress
A cold compress can be a great way for treating puffy eyes.
When a cold compress is applied to the affected area, it reduces the blood flow to that area. This helps to reduce eye swelling.
A frozen bag of veggies, chilled cucumber, or refrigerated spoon can also be used on the affected area.
Applying Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is equipped with protein, vitamins, and minerals that benefit the skin.
It is anti-inflammatory and stops eye puffiness by inhibiting the Cyclooxygenase pathway and reducing Prostaglandin E2 production from Arachidonic acid.
You can use aloe vera gel in the following way to reduce eye puffiness.
- Wash your face with water and make sure it is clean
- Apply a small amount of aloe vera gel on the affected area
- Wash the gel after 10-15 minutes
- Avoid getting the gel into your eyes
Medical treatment
Given below are some medical treatments that can help with Hypothyroidism.
Levothyroxine
Levothyroxine is also sold under the brand name Levoxyl.
Levothyroxine(T4) is a synthetic version of the body’s thyroid hormone: thyroxine(T4).
When the body does not produce enough natural thyroid hormone, Levothyroxine is taken as a replacement.
It helps to manage thyroid levels in the body, eventually dealing with puffy eyes.
Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy
This therapy uses manmade hormones to manage the levels of natural thyroid hormones in the body and is usually given in pill form.
Pure synthetic thyroxine (T4) is the most common thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Conclusion
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, isn’t usually linked to eye disease.
Hypothyroidism can cause swelling around the eyes and hair loss in the outer part of the eyebrows if it gets bad enough.
But if you can identify the symptoms at the right time, you can start with the treatment at the earliest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are puffy eyes a symptom of Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, isn’t usually linked to eye disease. Hypothyroidism can cause swelling around the eyes and hair loss in the outer part of the eyebrows if it gets bad enough.
What causes swollen face and puffy eyes related to Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn’t work as well as it should, which stops it from making enough thyroid hormones and slows down essential body functions. The face loses its expression; the voice gets hoarse, speech becomes slow, the eyelids hang, and the eyes and face get puffy.
Can subclinical Hypothyroidism cause puffy eyes?
Hypothyroidism can cause swelling around the eyes and hair loss in the outer part of the eyebrows if it gets bad enough.
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