Living with thyroid eye disease (TED) can feel overwhelming. Symptoms like bulging eyes, double vision, and discomfort can interfere with your daily life, making it hard to feel like yourself. Thankfully, innovative treatments like infusion therapy offer hope for relief.
At The Infusion Center at Denver Arthritis Clinic, we specialize in advanced care for thyroid eye disease, offering cutting-edge options like Tepezza infusion therapy. Our experienced medical team is dedicated to helping you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. With a patient-centered approach, we aim to provide care that meets your unique needs.
If you’re ready to explore whether infusion therapy is the right path for your TED treatment, continue reading.
Understanding Thyroid Eye Disease Symptoms
Thyroid eye disease is an inflammatory autoimmune condition that affects the tissues around the eyes. Often linked to thyroid gland disorders like overactive thyroid (Graves’ disease), TED occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the eye's muscles, soft tissues, and fatty layers.
Patients with thyroid eye disease experience a range of symptoms, including:
- Eye bulging (protruding eyes): A hallmark symptom caused by swelling in the fatty tissues around the eyes.
- Eye pain and discomfort: Often triggered by inflammation.
- Double vision (diplopia): Results from muscle imbalances that affect eye movement.
- Light sensitivity and eye irritation: Common due to swelling and inflammation.
- Redness and swelling: Caused by the immune system's attacks on the soft tissues.
- Vision changes or vision loss: Severe cases may involve pressure on the optic nerve.
If you notice these symptoms, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Blood tests, imaging scans, and assessments of your thyroid hormone levels play a critical role in diagnosing thyroid eye disease.
What Does Infusion Therapy for TED Involve?
Infusion therapy delivers medication directly into your bloodstream via an IV, providing fast and targeted relief for conditions like thyroid eye disease. For TED specifically, Tepezza has emerged as a groundbreaking infusion treatment.
Tepezza Infusion Therapy Explained
Tepezza is the first FDA-approved thyroid eye disease medication. It works by blocking a protein that contributes to inflammation and tissue changes around the eyes. Administered as a series of infusions, this treatment can reduce swelling, improve eye movement, and address symptoms such as bulging eyes and double vision.
Here’s what you can expect during the Tepezza infusion process:
- Number of treatments: A total of eight infusions are typically spaced three weeks apart.
- Duration of each session: Each infusion lasts about 90 minutes, allowing the medication to be delivered comfortably and effectively.
- Comfortable environment: At our Denver facility, patients receive their infusions in oversized recliners, with access to wireless internet and refreshments.
Our skilled staff, including experienced registered nurses and nurse practitioners, is available to monitor your progress closely and address any side effects, such as mild headaches or localized infusion reactions.
Benefits and Risks of Tepezza Infusion Therapy
Infusion therapy offers significant advantages, but understanding the potential risks is critical to determining if it’s the right treatment for you.
Benefits of Tepezza Therapy
- Reduces inflammation and swelling: Tepezza targets the underlying cause of TED symptoms, offering long-lasting relief.
- Improves appearance: Many patients notice a reduction in eye bulging, which can boost self-confidence.
- Eases debilitating symptoms: Double vision, eye pain, and light sensitivity often improve after treatment.
- Non-invasive option: Unlike surgical procedures like orbital decompression, Tepezza does not require incisions.
Possible Risks
- Mild side effects: These may include headaches, fatigue, or skin reactions at the infusion site.
- Rare complications: Some patients may experience allergic reactions or worsening of pre-existing medical conditions.
- Not suitable for all: Tepezza therapy might not be ideal for individuals with certain health conditions or those taking specific medications.
Discussing potential risks and benefits with your healthcare provider is an essential step in deciding whether to proceed with infusion therapy.
Is Infusion Therapy Right for Different TED Stages?
Tepezza is effective in treating thyroid eye disease across various stages. However, its suitability depends on factors such as the severity of your condition and your overall health.
- Active phase of TED: Patients in the early, inflammatory stage of TED are typically the best candidates. During this phase, the immune system actively causes swelling and inflammation, and Tepezza can directly target these processes.
- Chronic or advanced stage: For patients whose symptoms involve long-standing tissue scarring or eye misalignment, Tepezza may still offer benefits. However, additional interventions like eyelid surgery or orbital decompression might be needed to achieve the desired results.
- Mild cases: Those with minimal symptoms might first explore artificial tears, prescription medicines, or other treatments before considering infusion therapy.
Collaborating with your healthcare provider is key to understanding whether infusion therapy fits your needs. Our team at The Infusion Center at Denver Arthritis Clinic takes the time to evaluate your symptoms and tailor a personalized plan for the best possible outcome.
Seeking a Specialist Near You
Choosing the right infusion center to treat TED is an important part of your care journey. At Denver Arthritis Clinic’s Infusion Center, we are proud to offer patient-focused, state-of-the-art care for thyroid eye disease. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Dedicated infusion facilities: Designed for comfort with oversized recliners, wireless internet, and healthy refreshments.
- Expert medical staff: Including registered nurses with extensive experience in administering Tepezza infusions.
- Comprehensive support: From explaining treatment options to navigating insurance coverage, our team is here to make the process as seamless as possible.
To get started with Tepezza infusion therapy, patients typically need a referral from a primary care physician or thyroid eye specialist. If you’re a healthcare provider, we invite you to refer your patients to our infusion center for top-quality care.
Find Relief for Thyroid Eye Disease with Our Expert Care
Infusion therapy offers a powerful solution to manage thyroid eye disease, targeting its symptoms and improving your overall comfort and health. Our team at The Infusion Center at Denver Arthritis Clinic is dedicated to delivering exceptional care tailored to your needs.
Contact us today at (303) 394-2828 or visit our website to refer a patient. Together, we’ll work toward relieving your symptoms and enhancing your quality of life.
