Ongoing eyelid twitching

[Nangirl119]

I have had twitching in my left eyelid for over a month.  I'm wondering if this could be caused by hypothyroid.  I do drink coffee daily, but not more than 2 cups a day.  It's really beginning to bother me!  Usually when I have had this type of thing in the past, it would go away on it's own.  I switched from Levothyroxine to 60 MG Armour last Spring.  Definitely had a period of adjustment to that!!  Muscle weakness within an hour of taking it each day (and after eating).  Never had any of those symptoms on the other meds.  Anybody else have this prolonged twitching?

[des900]

Eye lid twitch can occur due to many reasons. It can occur due to imbalance in serum electrolytes like calcium, magnesium, potassium etc. So checking serum values of these is useful. Also it can occur due to both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. If on medication then need to test the Free T3, Free T4 and TSH values and adjust the dose accordingly.

[cleo19]

My left eye was twitching for months. One day I ran out of my 112 mcg levothyroxine but I had a bottle of my old 100 mcg pills. So I decided to take that until I could get my refill. I noticed the first day my twitching completely stopped. I continued on it for a few days and the twitching never returned. I changed nothing else but that. Took all the same medications and supplements and didn't change my caffeine consumption. Although I have a little less energy on the 100mcg, I don't feel anxious or irritable like I did before. Overall I feel better and wont be going back to the higher dose.

[Nangirl119]

Thank you for your response.  I have my thyroid levels checked later this month and will talk to my doc about the eyelid twitching at that time....or before, if I find I can't stand it any longer.  I also think that stress plays a part in it.  

[Nangirl119]

Thank you for your response.  I switched to Armour Thyroid 60 mg about six months ago, and have noticed some changes in how I feel.  For several months I would feel very tired....overly tired, immediately after eating in the morning (which I did an hour after taking the medication).  Tired to the point of wanting to lay down and go back to sleep.  Not normal for me.  That seems to have gone away, but this eyelid twitch has been going on for about six weeks now.  

[Nangirl119]

Thank you for your response.  This was very helpful.

[Red_Star]

My facial twitches and tics were due to magnesium deficiency.

Excerpts from Ancient Minerals - Need More Magnesium? 10 Signs to Watch For...

"4. Do you drink coffee, tea, or other caffeinated drinks daily?

Magnesium levels are controlled in the body in large part by the kidneys, which filter and excrete excess magnesium and other minerals. But caffeine causes the kidneys to release extra magnesium regardless of body status.

If you drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and soda regularly, your risk for magnesium deficiency is increased."

"9. Do you experience any of the following:

Painful muscle spasms?
Muscle cramping?
Fibromyalgia?
Facial tics?
Eye twitches, or involuntary eye movements?

Neuromuscular symptoms such as these are among the classic signs of a potential magnesium deficit."

[SwanSong]

I had the eyelid twitching when my B12 level was low. Many people with hypothyroidism have low B12 levels as well as low iron, magnesium, and calcium.

[jenpaws]

While the experts help you out, I just wanted to chime in and say that eye twitching has been a symptom of mine.  I had it for the first couple months I was on medication, but it resolved and recently when I increased my dose it reoccurred for a few days.  For me it's my right eye, and of course I've had an eye twitch or two in the past in life, but this was everyday for weeks, as you describe.

Best of luck :)

[Barb135]

I've never heard of eyelid twitching as a symptom of hypothyroid, but anything is possible.

What are your current thyroid hormone levels?  If you have them, please post the results of any thyroid tests you have and be sure to include reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.

Once we see your test results, we should be able to offer further suggestions.