Advice for an overactive thyroid and glaucoma

Ten months ago I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid and have been having medication since. 

Recently, I have noticed that I am loosing my hair and my eyebrows look thinner. I can’t see any bald patches but my hair does seem thinner in some areas. Could this be related to my thyroid condition? I am female and in my 40s.

The thyroid gland makes a hormone called thyroxine which is carried around the body in the blood stream so that the body’s metabolism works correctly and at the right pace.

If the gland produces too much thyroxine it is described as being an overactive thyroid gland or hyperthyroidism, this extra thyroxine causes the body’s metabolism to speed up.

Hyperthyroidism can develop at any age and is more common in women than men with about eight in every 100 women affected.

An overactive thyroid can cause a number of symptoms including:

* Hyperactivity and mood swings.

* Difficulty sleeping

* Heat intolerance

* Increase bowel movements

* Anxiety

* Palpitations

* Shortness of breath

* Unexplained weight loss

* Constant tiredness and muscle weakness

* Sweating

* Tremor

* Itch

* Frequent urination

* Increased thirst

People who are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism won’t have all of the symptoms but will have a combination of two or more which develop over a number of weeks.

Hyperthyroidism responds well to treatment and most people with the condition have good control over the symptoms.

Some people with hyperthyroidism can experience patchy hair loss and it is possible that this might be the cause of your recent hair loss. However, there are other reasons for hair loss and it is important to have this investigated to rule out any other reasons. I would advise you to make an appointment with your GP, who can examine your scalp and eyebrows and determine if the hair loss is related to the overactive thyroid.

I am a man in my 40s. One of my older brothers was recently diagnosed with glaucoma. He was advised that his siblings should be checked for this particularly as our mother has glaucoma. I haven’t noticed any change in my vision, so should I leave it for the time being?

The advice which your brother has been given is important for you and your siblings as glaucoma is more common in people with a family history of the condition and aged over 40. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterised by progressive damage to the optic nerve, in most cases by increased pressure (intraocular pressure) resulting in impaired vision and blindness if left untreated. It affects about one in 50 people over 40 and one in 10 of people aged 75 years and upwards. It is more common in those who are short-sighted or have diabetes. Having a positive family history increases the risk of glaucoma by tenfold, particularly in siblings.

The most common type of glaucoma is chronic open-angle glaucoma which develops slowly over several months and usually without symptoms. Most people with this type of glaucoma do not notice a slow change in vision as it is the peripheral or outer field of vision where a loss of vision starts. With this slow progression it is very important that anyone at risk of developing the condition is screened regularly. While glaucoma usually affects both eyes, it may not affect them equally.

As early diagnosis is important, I would advice you to have your eyes checked and the pressure in the eyes measured. You should then have regular eye checks at least every two years or more frequently if advised, so that early signs of the condition can be detected.

Even if you have not noticed a change in your eyesight, because of your family history you do need to have your eyes examined. I would advise you to make an appointment as soon as possible with your GP to discuss your family history and to get advice.