Graves’ disease, also known as thyroid eye disease, results from the activity of the thyroid gland. This gland, located in the front of your neck, produces a hormone that aids in metabolism and a number of other functions; if the gland produces too much or too little of this hormone, you could have a thyroid condition. Graves’ disease may result in serious eye symptoms, but amino acids such as taurine do not have a known connection for treating or preventing the condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Graves’ disease includes inflamed eyelids, eye discomfort and eye redness. You may also have changes in your vision such as double vision that stems from swelling in the tissues and muscles behind the eye. This swelling may also push your eyes forward, causing proptosis that makes the eyes seem to bulge.
Taurine
Taurine, an amino acid in your body, helps regulate the water and mineral salt levels of your blood, says Katherine Zeratsky, R.D. You bring taurine into your body through meat and poultry, but other products such as beverages and supplements may also add taurine and other amino acids.
Although taurine does not help Graves’ disease, a study dating back to 1979 showed promise in connecting taurine levels in blood platelets to the function of the thyroid. This study, published in the “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation,” did not evaluate Graves’ disease patients specifically, and no known, additional studies further evaluated the connection between thyroid function and taurine. However, since thyroid function affects the onset and severity of Graves’ disease, the study does show that, in theory, taurine could have some effect on this condition.
Treatment
Controlling thyroid function is the first step in helping Graves’ disease. Your doctor will prescribe a medication that will regulate how much of the hormone the thyroid produces. This may help symptoms of your condition, but, in many instances, good control of your thyroid will still not resolve bulging eyes or other conditions. Your doctor may recommend that you use artificial tears, a non-medicated lubricant eye drop, to help keep your eyes comfortable. You may also need to take anti-inflammatory medications for swelling in the tissues surrounding your eye. If you experience double vision an eye doctor may need to add prisms to the lenses of your eyeglasses to help the eyes work together.
Considerations
If you have signs of Graves’ disease, talk with your doctor. She may recommend blood tests to evaluate your thyroid function. Your doctor will then discuss treatment options based on the results of the blood work. Take medications or follow through on the necessary treatments for your condition, and this will help reduce your risk for advanced symptoms of Graves’ disease.
References
- University of Illinois at Chicago: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences: Thyroid Eye Disease
- Columbia University Medical Center: New York Thyroid Center: Thyroid Eye Disease
- MayoClinic.com; Taurine in Energy Drinks: What Is It?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; June 2010
- “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation”; Correlation of Platelet Taurine Levels With Thyroid Function; S. I. Baskin, et al.; July 1979
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