Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAt-Home TestingPhysical ExaminationLabs and TestsImagingDifferential DiagnosesNext in Thyroid Eye Disease GuideHow Thyroid Eye Disease Is Treated
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
At-Home Testing
Physical Examination
Labs and Tests
Imaging
Differential Diagnoses
Next in Thyroid Eye Disease Guide
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What Is Thyroid Eye Disease?
There are no official self-checks or at-home tests that can diagnose thyroid eye disease. You have to see a healthcare professional who can do clinical tests to receive an accurate diagnosis. However, understanding your symptoms and checking for some of them at home can help you communicate with your healthcare provider better.
Check for the following symptoms of thyroid eye disease:
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms or other vision changes.
Physical Exam for the Thyroid
During a physical exam, your healthcare provider will:
The physical exam may also include checking your:
Eye Exam
You will need a completeeye examination.An eye doctor can do the following:
The eye doctor can also measure the degree of eye bulging with a device called an exophthalmometer. It can show how far forward your eyes have moved because of thyroid eye disease.
If you do not have a diagnosis of Graves' disease already, your healthcare provider may order laboratory tests to confirm it first. However, you may not need these tests if you know that you have Graves' disease.
You may need blood tests to check the levels of:
If you do not have a diagnosis of Graves' disease already, you may have the following imaging tests:
If you know that you have Graves' disease, you may have the following imaging tests to check the condition of your eyes and eye muscles:
What Can Imaging Tests Show?Imaging tests can show:Inflamed tissuesEnlarged musclesCompressed optic nerves in the eyes
What Can Imaging Tests Show?
Imaging tests can show:Inflamed tissuesEnlarged musclesCompressed optic nerves in the eyes
Imaging tests can show:
It is possible for some of the symptoms of thyroid eye disease to be similar to other conditions, such as orbital tumors (abnormal growths in the sockets of the eyes). Your healthcare provider will do multiple tests to confirm your condition.
By combining the results of a physical exam, lab tests, and imaging tests, your practitioner can determine if you have thyroid eye disease or something else.
A Word From Verywell
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about the diagnosis process. Usually, you will need several tests to figure out if you have thyroid eye disease. The process may take less time if you already have a Graves' disease diagnosis.
It is important to stay patient throughout the diagnosis process. You may need to see specialists, which can take time. Reach out to friends and family for support so they can help while you wait.
The right diagnosis is important for receiving the correct treatment and preventing complications that may appear from Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease. You should feel comfortable asking your healthcare providers questions and getting the care you need.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thyroid eye disease.American Thyroid Association.Graves’ eye disease.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is Graves’ disease?National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thyroid eye disease.American Thyroid Association.Graves’ eye disease.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is Graves’ disease?National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thyroid eye disease.American Thyroid Association.Graves’ eye disease.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is Graves’ disease?National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thyroid eye disease.
American Thyroid Association.Graves’ eye disease.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is Graves’ disease?
National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.
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