Is it important to treat the overactive thyroid condition?
Yes, this is vital for as long as the thyroid remains overactive, the thyroid eye disease is not likely to settle. Thyroid eye disease ironically can be made worse during the actual treatment of the overactive thyroid and so certain preventative measures are taken to reduce this risk. If radioactive iodine therapy is used then you will be asked to take prednisolone (a steroid) for 3 months after therapy. The specialist will also check your thyoid function regularly so that thyroid replacement hormone medicine can begin as soon as possible to prevent the development of an underactive thyroid brought on by the radioactive iodine.An underactive thyroid might worsen the thyoid eye condition if left unchecked hence the reason for early detection and treatment.. The specialist will also aim to keep your blood TSH level suppressed at all times as a rise might again worsen your eye condition. Medical therapy e.g. carbimazole or thyoidectomy can also worsen the eye condition at the outset if th
