How Smoking Affects the Thyroid and the Eyes | oneGRAVESvoice
Global Search
Global Search

Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education

Scientific literature and patient education texts

Back to Evidence & Education / Patient Education

TED and Smoking: Information for Patients

key information

source: British Thyroid Foundation

year: 2013

summary/abstract:

Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid produces more thyroxine than is needed by the body. It is also referred to as thyrotoxicosis, or an over-active thyroid. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition and the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is caused by antibodies that attack the thyroid gland: the body’s immune system turns against the thyroid gland, which in response becomes over-active.

About a quarter of people with Graves’ disease develop thyroid eye disease (TED). TED is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the back of the eye and causes inflammation. This can cause the eyes to be pushed forward (‘staring’ or ‘bulging’ eyes) and the eyes and eyelids to become swollen and red. In some cases there is swelling and stiffness of the muscles that move the eyes so that the eyes are no longer in line with each other; this can cause double vision.

Cigarette smoking is known to have a major influence on Graves’ disease and on TED.

 

read more

Related Content

To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close

Powered by

Brought to you by

Supported through an independent
educational grant by

© 2022 rareLife solutions Inc.