Differential Diagnosis for Thyroid and Eye Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Graves' disease: This is the most likely diagnosis as it is a common cause of both thyroid dysfunction and eye pain due to orbital inflammation and Graves' ophthalmopathy.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland can cause thyroid pain and may be associated with eye pain due to referred pain or associated conditions like Graves' disease.
- Hyperthyroidism: Although not directly causing eye pain, hyperthyroidism can lead to exophthalmos and eye discomfort, and thyroid pain can occur due to thyroid gland inflammation or tenderness.
- Orbital cellulitis or abscess: Infections in the orbital area can cause severe eye pain and may be associated with thyroid pain if the infection spreads or if there's an underlying condition affecting both areas.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Thyroid storm: A life-threatening complication of untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism, which can cause severe thyroid and eye symptoms among other systemic issues.
- Orbital tumor: Although rare, tumors in the orbit can cause eye pain and, if large enough or if they metastasize, could affect the thyroid or cause referred thyroid pain.
- Giant cell arteritis: This condition can cause eye pain due to temporal arteritis and may also involve the thyroid gland, leading to thyroid pain, though this is less common.
- Rare diagnoses
- Riedel's thyroiditis: A rare form of thyroiditis characterized by a hard, fibrotic thyroid gland that can cause thyroid pain and potentially eye pain due to compression or inflammation of nearby structures.
- Eosinophilic granuloma (part of Langerhans cell histiocytosis): This rare condition can affect the orbit and cause eye pain, and though less commonly, it might also involve the thyroid gland.
- Sarcoidosis: Although more commonly associated with lung and skin manifestations, sarcoidosis can affect the thyroid and orbit, leading to pain in these areas, but this is relatively rare.