If you’re dealing with thyroid eye disease (TED), you know it’s not just about the way your eyes look. There’s so much more to TED than aesthetics, although the impact on your self-esteem cannot be overlooked.
It’s ultimately about how your eyes feel and function. Between swelling, pain, double vision, and even changes to your vision itself, TED doesn’t just disrupt your appearance, it disrupts your life. It’s important to find the right treatment for all of those symptoms.
When it comes to thyroid eye disease treatment, you’re probably wondering: What are the most common side effects of thyroid eye disease and Graves’ disease? What’s the trade-off for relief?
Understanding Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Side Effects from Various Treatments
TED treatments aim to reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and prevent long-term damage. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach that will work for every patient. Because TED affects patients differently, and each patient has unique requirements and health challenges, a range of TED treatments has been developed.
The most common options include steroids, targeted biologic therapies, radiation, and surgery. Each comes with its own set of potential side effects and knowing what to expect can help you make informed decisions about your care. Your doctor should discuss not just the treatment with you, but what you can expect from it in terms of side effects and how those will impact your life.
Steroids: Quick Relief, But at a Cost
Corticosteroids, like prednisone, are often the first treatment tried against TED-related inflammation, and for good reason. They work fast, reducing swelling and pressure behind the eyes. That can bring almost immediate relief from uncomfortable or painful symptoms. But they don’t come without some important caveats in the form of possible side effects.
Potential thyroid eye disease side effects from steroid treatment:
- Increased risk of infections
- Weight gain and fluid retention
- Mood swings and sleep disturbances
- High blood sugar and increased risk of diabetes
- Osteoporosis with long-term use
Steroids can be a short-term solution that offers a dramatic improvement in your quality of life, but they’re not a sustainable solution for everyone and they’re not likely a long-term solution, either.
Biologic Therapy: A Targeted Approach for Your Symptoms
Newer treatments, like teprotumumab, target the underlying autoimmune activity driving TED. These biologics are designed to be more precise than steroids, offering hope for long-term relief. However, even here there’s the potential for thyroid eye disease side effects, although they can be less severe than with other treatment options.
Potential side effects:
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Hearing changes or tinnitus
- Blood sugar spikes (a concern if you’re diabetic or prediabetic)
- Infusion reactions (mild to severe allergic responses)
These therapies have transformed TED treatment, but they’re not risk-free. Close monitoring is important, particularly when it comes to blood sugar or infusion reactions. While some of these may be minor side effects, some patients may experience serious, even life-threatening side effects.
Radiation Therapy: A Delicate Balance
Radiation therapy is sometimes used to shrink swollen tissues behind the eyes. It’s the same premise behind using radiation to treat thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. It’s a precise treatment, but it carries risks, just as it does in treating other diseases.
Potential side effects:
- Dry eyes, redness, and irritation
- Temporary worsening of symptoms
- Risk of cataracts with prolonged exposure
- Rare but potential long-term damage to surrounding structures
Radiation is usually reserved for cases where other treatments aren’t effective. It is almost never a first-line treatment because of the severity of the potential thyroid eye disease side effects.
Surgery: The Last Resort, But Often Life-Changing
For severe TED, especially when vision is at risk, surgery can correct eye bulging, restore function, and improve appearance. However, there are many reasons that surgery is usually the last resort, including a range of potential thyroid eye disease side effects.
Potential side effects:
- Temporary or permanent double vision
- Swelling and bruising
- Risk of infection
- Need for additional surgeries
Surgery is a commitment and a risk, but for many, the benefits far outweigh the potential thyroid eye disease side effects.
Does Your Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment Need to Be Adjusted?
While multiple treatments can help address TED’s symptoms, there is often no single treatment that’s effective over the entire course of the disease. Many patients will need to have their treatment adjusted or even change treatments entirely depending on their symptoms and the disease’s progression. Not sure if your treatment needs to be adjusted? Look for these signs and then speak with your doctor:
- Your treatment is no longer working as it once did.
- You’re experiencing significant side effects from the treatment.
The medication is having a negative impact on your mental health. - The medication/treatment is affecting another health condition.
- The treatment is not working as your doctor had expected.
If any of those sounds familiar, speak with your doctor. At the very least, your medication may need to be adjusted. It may also be that it’s time to consider another thyroid treatment entirely.
Finding the Right Path Forward
TED treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all, and side effects can vary from person to person. The goal should always be to fit the treatment to the patient, rather than the other way around. Finding the best path forward requires communication, collaboration, and time. The key is working with your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits and tailor a treatment plan that fits your needs.
Ultimately, the goal is clear: to preserve your vision, reduce discomfort, and help you get back to living your life without TED calling the shots.
A Journey Toward Healing Your Eyes
Are you experiencing TED symptoms? Living with the disease can be challenging and emotionally draining. But there’s hope for a brighter future. With modern treatments, TED is manageable. The key is finding the right treatment and the right doctor. Contact us today to learn more about Dr. Raymond Douglas’ approach and how to reclaim your life.
