I know that hyperthyroidism can sometimes affect the eyes — but could hypothyroidism also cause eye problems?

Answer From Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph.D.

Hypothyroidism happens when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. This condition also is called underactive thyroid. Hypothyroidism usually isn't linked to eye disease. In severe cases, however, hypothyroidism may cause swelling around the eyes. It also may cause a loss of hair in the outer part of the eyebrows.

Eye problems are much more common in people who have hyperthyroidism, a condition also called overactive thyroid. That's particularly true for those who have Graves' disease, the most common form of hyperthyroidism. An eye condition known as thyroid eye disease — also called Graves' ophthalmopathy — may develop in these individuals. It can lead to eye soreness, protruding eyeballs and vision changes.

With

Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph.D.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Nov. 18, 2023 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?
  2. Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?
  3. Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?
  4. Antidepressants: Can they stop working?
  5. Antidepressants: Side effects
  6. Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you
  7. Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?
  8. Arcus senilis: A sign of high cholesterol?
  9. Atypical antidepressants
  10. Cholesterol level: Can it be too low?
  11. Cholesterol medications: Consider the options
  12. Cholesterol ratio or non-HDL cholesterol: Which is most important?
  13. Cholesterol test kits: Are they accurate?
  14. Cholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbers
  15. Cholesterol-lowering supplements may be helpful
  16. Clinical depression: What does that mean?
  17. Coconut oil: Can it cure hypothyroidism?
  18. Coma
  19. Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
  20. Depression, anxiety and exercise
  21. What is depression? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.
  22. Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap
  23. Depression (major depressive disorder)
  24. Depression: Supporting a family member or friend
  25. Dry skin
  26. Eggs and cholesterol
  27. Fatigue
  28. HDL cholesterol: How to boost your 'good' cholesterol
  29. High cholesterol
  30. High cholesterol in children
  31. High cholesterol treatment: Does cinnamon lower cholesterol?
  32. How to heal cracked heels
  33. How to heal cracked skin at thumb tip
  34. Hypothyroidism and infertility: Any connection?
  35. Hypothyroidism: Can calcium supplements interfere with treatment?
  36. Hypothyroidism diet
  37. Hypothyroidism and joint pain?
  38. Hypothyroidism: Should I take iodine supplements?
  39. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
  40. Infant jaundice
  41. Joint pain
  42. Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  43. Lowering Triglycerides
  44. Macrocytosis: What causes it?
  45. Male depression: Understanding the issues
  46. MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine?
  47. Marijuana and depression
  48. Mayo Clinic Minute: Moisturizer tips from a dermatologist
  49. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  50. Muscle pain
  51. Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
  52. Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
  53. Niacin overdose: What are the symptoms?
  54. Niacin to improve cholesterol numbers
  55. Pain and depression: Is there a link?
  56. Is there a risk of rhabdomyolysis from statins?
  57. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  58. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  59. Soy: Does it reduce cholesterol?
  60. Soy: Does it worsen hypothyroidism?
  61. Statin side effects
  62. Statins
  63. Statins: Do they cause ALS?
  64. Symptom Checker
  65. Thyroid disease: Can it affect a person's mood?
  66. Lifestyle changes to improve cholesterol
  67. Trans fat
  68. Treatment-resistant depression
  69. Tricyclic antidepressants and tetracyclic antidepressants
  70. Triglycerides: Why do they matter?
  71. Vitamin B-12 and depression
  72. VLDL cholesterol: Is it harmful?