Please ensure JavaScript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Symptoms | TEPEZZA® (teprotumumab-trbw)
Approved Use: TEPEZZA is for adults with Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), no matter if they've had TED for months or years.

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Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Symptoms

Learn about the most common symptoms of TED and see real patient images to help you identify what TED can look like.

TED affects everyone differently. You may experience all or some of the symptoms listed below.
TED symptoms

  • Dry, gritty eyes

    • Eyes feel dry and gritty
    • This may make it feel like there’s something in your eye, like sand

  • Watery, teary eyes

    • Eyes are constantly watery, when not crying
    • This can make it hard to see clearly because of extra fluid

  • Misaligned eyes

    • Eyes look crossed or misaligned, which can lead to double vision
    • Your doctor may call this strabismus (struh-biz-muhs)

  • Pulled-back eyelids, also called eyelid retraction

      • This may cause a constant stare or wide-eyed appearance
      • It may also make it hard to close your eyes
      • This can expose more of the eye than normal, which can lead to other symptoms like dry eyes

    • Double vision

      • One image will look like two
      • Your doctor may call this diplopia (dih-ploh-pee-uh)
      • Double vision can be:
        • Temporary (for example, only upon waking up in the morning)
        • Situational (for example, only when looking to the left or right, or toward the corners of the eyes)
        • Constant (always present)

    • Swollen, puffy eyelids

      • Eyelids look red and swollen
      • Your doctor may call this eyelid edema (ih-dee-muh)

    • Red, swollen eyes

      • Eyes appear red, bloodshot, and swollen
      • Your doctor may call this chemosis (key-moe-sis)
      • This is sometimes confused with allergies or an infection

    • Eye pain or eye pressure

      • Pain may be felt in, around, and/or behind the eyes, and when moving the eyes
      • Pressure may be felt behind or around the eyes

    • Blurry vision

      • Vision becomes out of focus or blurry

    • Vision loss

      • In rare, extreme cases, blindness may occur

    See real images of bulging eyes, a symptom of TED

    Although there are many symptoms of TED to look for, the most noticeable is bulging of the eye, which your doctor may call proptosis or exophthalmos.

    Real TED patients, compensated for their time.

    What causes bulging eyes?

    With TED, over time muscle and fat tissue behind the eye become swollen. This swelling can push against the back of the eye, causing it to bulge forward.

    How are bulging eyes measured?

    During an eye exam, your TED Specialist will use a special ruler called an exophthalmometer to measure how far the eyes have bulged.

    Generally, your TED Specialist will measure eye bulging before, during, and after treatment. This helps them keep track of how much your eyes may improve.

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    Considering TEPEZZA? Get a personalized guide to share with your doctor

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    What is the most important information I should know about TEPEZZA?

    Infusion reactions can happen during or within 24 hours after your infusion of TEPEZZA. If you have a reaction while receiving TEPEZZA, your doctor or nurse will slow or stop your infusion and treat your reaction. If you have a severe infusion reaction, your doctor may stop your treatment completely.

    Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your treatment with TEPEZZA:
    • High blood pressure
    • Fast heartbeat
    • Redness of the face/Feeling hot
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Headache
    • Muscle pain

    TEPEZZA may worsen inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, even if you don’t have a diagnosis of IBD before starting TEPEZZA treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you have worsening IBD symptoms, which may include diarrhea with stomach pain or cramps, blood in your stools, sudden urgency to have a bowel movement, or feeling like you need to have a bowel movement even when there’s little or no stool to pass.

    TEPEZZA may cause an increase in your blood sugar. Before starting treatment with TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you are currently being treated for diabetes, know your blood sugar is high, or have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is important for you to take your treatments and follow an appropriate diet for glucose control as prescribed by your doctor.

    TEPEZZA may cause severe hearing problems including hearing loss, which in some cases may be permanent. Tell your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of hearing problems or changes in hearing.

    Cases of encephalopathy, a condition that affects how the brain works, have been reported in people treated with TEPEZZA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you, your family member, or caregiver notice any change in your mental status (e.g., confusion, changes in thinking or behavior, memory problems, excessive sleepiness, difficulty speaking, seizures or decreased responsiveness). Your healthcare provider may stop or delay TEPEZZA while they evaluate and treat you as required.

    Before receiving TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you:
    • Have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).
    • Are currently being treated for diabetes, have been diagnosed with diabetes, or know your blood sugar is high.
    • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TEPEZZA may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or suspect you are pregnant during treatment with TEPEZZA.
      • Women who are able to become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control (contraception) prior to starting treatment, during treatment and for at least 6 months after the final dose of TEPEZZA.
    • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TEPEZZA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to feed your baby during treatment with TEPEZZA.
    • Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
    What are the possible side effects of TEPEZZA?

    The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, ear discomfort, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation.

    This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor or treatment team about any side effect you may have.

    You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
    Please see Full Prescribing Information or visit TEPEZZA.com for more information.

    USE

    TEPEZZA is a prescription medicine used to treat Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), no matter if you’ve had TED for months or years.

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    What is the most important information I should know about TEPEZZA?

    Infusion reactions can happen during or within 24 hours after your infusion of TEPEZZA. If you have a reaction while receiving TEPEZZA, your doctor or nurse will slow or stop your infusion and treat your reaction. If you have a severe infusion reaction, your doctor may stop your treatment completely.