Prednisone and Thyroid Conditions: Understanding the Connection

People with Graves' disease, a disorder of the thyroid, sometimes experience visual symptoms. In these situations, the steroid prednisone is used to reduce inflammation.

Identification

• People with Graves' disease may experience eyes that are dry, itchy, red and swollen. In some cases, they will also experience double vision.

Benefits

• Your doctor may prescribe the steroid prednisone to provide relief from the visual symptoms and irritation.

Warning

• Prednisone use is only recommend for a short time, however, since the drug has many side effects such as mood swings and weight gain.

Misconceptions

• Once the use of prednisone is discontinued, your symptoms will most likely return.

Potential

• According to the New York Thyroid Center, 5 percent of people with the disease will experience visual loss due to swelling. Prednisone, used in conjunction with other therapies, will be prescribed in this situation.