Q: I have been diagnosed with low function of the thyroid gland and now take throxine. I was told there were no side effects! Well now my left eyelid is drooping and I have occasionally stabbing pain around the eyebrow. I also have pain in the hands, leg feet and back. I have been offered stronger painkillers. I would really like to hear your opinion.

A: The appropriate replacement of thyroid deficiency with throxine is not associated with any side effects. Drooping of the eyelids is not an associated feature linked specifically to throxine therapy. Nor are pains around the eyes nor in the limbs and back. Drooping of the eyelids can be associated with another type of autoimmune disease although this is exceptionally rare; the disease myasthenia gavis is usually associated with a rapid and easy fatiguability of all the muscles in the body and this clearly is not present in your member as she would have noticed these symptoms. However “occular” myasthenia gravis may occur and this may present with drooping of the eyelid and double vision. Because this is such a rare association it is unlikely to be present in your member but it might well be worth simply asking her doctor about it.