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Thyroid Eye Disease: Understanding Graves' Ophthalmopathy

by Elaine A. Moore; co-published with Your Health Press

185 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-1280; ISBN 1-4120-0911-1; US$24.95, C$28.95, EUR20.50, £14.50

The only educational resource and guide for patients with Graves' Ophthalmopathy, an inflammatory eye disorder that often precedes, accompanies, or follows autoimmune thyroid disease.

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about the book      about the author      sample excerpts      catalogue info

About the Book The first and only consumer book on Thyroid Eye Disease, by the author of Graves' Disease, A Practical Guide In her meticulous, exhaustive and thoughtful book, Elaine Moore has written the definitive guide on Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), more specifically referred to as Graves Ophthalmopathy (GO). This common eye disorder is associated with the autoimmune thyroid disease, Graves' Disease, and also with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a disorder of hypothyroidism. Thyroid Eye Disease: Understanding Graves' Ophthalmopathy will fill a void for much sought after information on this condition unique to thousands of Graves' patients worldwide. In her book, Moore also personalizes the information by sharing other patients' stories and narratives, helping to validate universal struggles people with this condition face. Thyroid Eye Disease: Understanding Graves' Ophthalmopathy describes all facets of thyroid eye disease, including: genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to GO signs, symptoms diagnostic tests risk factors conventional and complementary treatment options, with an emphasis on the role of self-care. complications psychosocial issues of living with GO

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About the Author

Elaine Moore is a Medical Technologist, MT (ASCP), with more than 30 years experience working in hospital laboratories. The mother of two grown children, Elaine, her husband Rick, and their three boxers live in the mountains of Colorado. She is also the author of Graves' Disease, A Practical Guide; Autoimmune Diseases & Their Environmental Triggers; and Encyclopedia of Alzheimer's Disease. Visit Elaine at her website at http://daisyelaine_co.tripod.com/gravesdisease/

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Sample Excerpts

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid Eye Disease: Understanding Graves Ophthalmopathy is intended as an educational resource and guide for patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO), an inflammatory eye disorder that often precedes, accompanies, or follows autoimmune thyroid disease. Although the thyroid and eye conditions usually occur simultaneously, GO may occur as much as ten years before and 20 years after the initial thyroid disorder emerges.

The most common types of thyroid disease occur when the thyroid gland fails to secrete adequate thyroid hormone, causing a condition known as hypothyroidism; alternately, the thyroid gland may secrete excess thyroid hormone, causing a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Graves' disease is an autoimmune hyperthyroid disorder and the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

GO primarily occurs in patients with Graves' disease (80 percent of all cases); and in a smaller number of individuals with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), an autoimmune hypothyroid disorder. GO may also occur in people who have no signs of thyroid disease (these people are said to have euthyroid Graves' disease). Approximately ten percent of all GO occurs in people with euthyroid Graves' disease, and another ten percent occurs in people with HT.

Thyroid associated eye disorders are known by a number of different names, including Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO); thyroid eye disease (TED); thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO); dysthyroid orbitopathy; thyroid ophthalmopathy; immune exophthalmos; and Graves' eye disease. In this book, the condition of thyroid related eye disease will be referred to simply as GO.

Both autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and GO, like most autoimmune disorders, result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. That is, individuals with a certain combination of genes develop AITD and GO when they're exposed to certain environmental triggers, including stress, infectious agents, iodine, interferon and interleukin medications and sex steroids. Thyroid autoantibodies that contribute to the development of AITD also play a significant role in the development of GO, particularly the congestive form of GO. A complex disease, which is unique in each individual, GO may affect the eyelids, the orbital muscles, the orbital connective tissue and the orbital fat deposits.

My goal in writing Thyroid Eye Disease: Understanding Graves Ophthamopathy is to educate, support and empower patients with GO. Intended as an overall guide, this book describes all facets of GO - including the development, signs, symptoms, diagnostic tests, risk factors, conventional and complementary treatment options, complications, and psychosocial manifestations of GO.

Chapter 1 describes what it means to have Graves' ophthalmopathy thyroid related eye disease and introduces the reader to a list of associated medical words and terms. Chapter 2 explains the two primary subtypes of GO and their differences. Chapter 3 looks at the signs and symptoms associated with GO. Chapter 4 describes how GO is classified and the usefulness of these stages. Chapter 5 describes how the eye's tissues and cells work together to create vision, and it describes the changes seen in inflammatory GO. Chapter 6 describes the immune system and its cells and explains how immune system changes contribute to GO. Chapter 7 describes the autoimmune process that results in the congestive, inflammatory form of GO. Chapter 8 describes the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to GO development. Chapter 9 describes the clinical picture, laboratory and imaging tests used to help diagnosis in GO. Chapter 10 describes conventional treatment options and explains their use in the various disease stages. Chapter 11 describes the use of complementary medicine in GO. And chapter 12 describes the psychosocial effects of living with GO. Also included are patient anecdotes, illustrations, a resource section, glossary and index.

In any disease state, but particularly in diseases with an autoimmune origin, knowledge is empowering. Armed with an understanding of the endocrine, environmental, genetic and immunological factors that lead to GO, you can better understand how this disease develops and realize the importance of your own role in the healing process.

Studies show that the amount of time and energy you invest in your own healing directly affects your outcome. With several therapeutic options available for GO, you must be able to weigh benefits against side effects and have an active voice in your own treatment plans. Recent advances in immunology have demonstrated that the endocrine, immune and nervous systems work in harmony, and anything that influences one system influences the others. Thus, the role of dietary changes, supplements, and the avoidance of environmental triggers must all be taken into consideration. By learning what foods promote inflammation or how chronic stress harms the immune system, you'll soon be able to modulate your body's own immune responses.

While usually mild and manageable, the signs and symptoms of GO are often more debilitating than their related thyroid disorders. Furthermore, thyroid related eye disorders have other ramifications besides the obvious medical concerns. The resulting cosmetic disfigurement can cause psychosocial distress, inability to work and considerable financial hardship during the active disease stages. Even after the disease has stabilized and resolved, one or more corrective surgeries may be required.

While various treatments are available to treat GO, the period in which their use is beneficial and the order in which treatments should be administered are as important as the therapy itself. This book includes a thorough description of treatment options - be they conventional or complementary - with an added emphasis on the role of self-care.

While the intricate workings of the immune system are complex and beyond the scope of this book, several sections, particularly in chapters 6 and 7, describe how the immune system contributes to GO development. Other sections, especially in chapters 8 and 11, show how diet, stress and other environmental factors influence immune system health. Adopting a lifestyle that promotes immune system health is the first step when it comes to healing and remission in GO.

While the disease process in GO is indeed complex and appears mysterious at first glance, the steps that lead to GO are logical and orderly. More importantly, the effects of GO and the severity of its symptoms are partially under your control. Some of the most powerful healing tools, such as avoiding sugar to prevent inflammation or drinking sufficient water to prevent dryness and tearing, are easy. Maintaining appropriate thyroid hormone levels will also affect your disease course. Avoiding cigarette smoke may be more difficult, but the results can be particularly dramatic. Incorporating helpful lifestyle changes and modulating the immune system are achievable goals. Let this book be your guide to both understanding how GO develops and learning how you can influence its course and attain both remission and recovery.

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Catalogue Information

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