• Find Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

dLife Daily Tips

Do you have hypoglycemic unawareness?

Read More View All Tips

Diabetes Questions & Answers
Your diabetes questions answered by our Experts and Community.


Can't find the answer you are looking for?
Ask a new question
The Question
06/23/09 07:41 AM

"Can an Opthomologist tell if I have Graves Disease from an exam? I also have Retinopathy & borderline Glaucoma."
Asked By: wheber2  
Category: Vision

Background Info Hide
Over Active Thyroid, Graves Disease, Multinodular Goiter, Type I Diabetes, early stage Retinopathy, borderline Glacucoma, Cataracts. Can the pain from my eye be from pressure from Glaucoma or from the Graves Disease? I don't have any bludging eyes from the graves.

Expert Answers (1)

06/27/09 05:49 PM

Hello Wheber2; Thanks for asking dLife. And to answer your question, can your ophthalmologist diagnose Graves Disease? I would have to conclude, NO, Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is caused by an abnormal immune system response that attacks the thyroid gland, and it causes too much production of thyroid hormones. This thyroid gland releases the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which control body metabolism. Controlling metabolism is critical for regulating mood, weight, and mental and physical energy levels. Consequent, measurement of the T3 and T4 levels, preformed in a blood test, usually by your (P)personal (C)care (P)physician or Endocrinologist are the only ones who can formally diagnosis Graves Disease. The same physician helping you to manage your diabetes can assist with the Graves management. With Graves disease it seems hormones misbehave just as diabetes hormones misbehaving. The retinopathy is of great concern. Self-management of the diabetes is critical to stalling off any further development of complications. Diabetes increases the risk of 3 main eye diseases, these concerns are retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. Retinopathy is the most common. Factors that keep your eyes free of disease or progression of symptoms. Keeping the blood glucose levels to normal will prevent and slow any disease that has started(always A1C<7, after meal BG level, 2hrs post<140mg/dl) Control blood pressure,(,130/80mm/Hg), if you need to loose weight, eat less salt, modify behaviors to avoid alcohol and stop smoking (if you currently do). These are proven success strategies. Keep cholesterol levels in check, Tchol<200mg/dl, HDL>40mg/dl for men, LDL<100mg/dl and TG's<150. If you need help with any of these items, please call on your local Diabetes Educators, Certified Diabetes Educators-RN,RD, Rph. Call on us as needed; Regards Sue
Answered By: Susan Throop
Accreditations: RD, CDE, MA
Sources Show

Community Answers (0)

There are currently no community answers to this question. Be the first to Post an Answer

Most Recent Vision Questions:

My daughter was told she has diabetic cataracts. The eye doctor discribed these as sugar crystals attached to her lens in both eyes. Is it reversible?
I was just diagnosed with Type 2 and am on Lantus once at night at 10 units. I've noticed my eyesight has degraded since starting this. Is it normal?
How does smoking cigarettes or marijuana affect diabetic retinopathy?
A cousin of mine is going blind because of diabetes. What are the medical treatments that can help restore his vision?
i recently was put on insulin due to extremely high numbers. am already on glyburide and metformin. do i need to be on both oral meds and insulin?
i am on oral medication, sugar is in control, interested in laser therapy for my eyes. value of far sightedness is +2.0 and near sightedness is +0.75
I am Type 2 and recently according to a dermatologist received a spider bite right in the corner of my left eye. First itching then big hard knots,

 

*** All information contained on dLife.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Our Expert Q&A is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional or for professional medical advice related to diabetes or another medical condition. Please contact your physician or medical professional with any questions and concerns about your medical condition.

Sign up for FREE dLife Newsletters

dLife Membership is FREE! Get exclusive access, free recipes, newsletters, savings, and much more! FPO

FPO

Congratulations!
You are subscribed!
Congratulations!
You are subscribed!
Congratulations!
You are subscribed!

dLife Weekly Poll

Has diabetes made it difficult to get/renew a driver's license?

View Results
More Polls
More Diabetes Information
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
More dLife Information
Copyright © 2012 LifeMed Media, Inc.    All Rights Reserved.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.