Natural Remedies for Hypothyroid and Hyperthyroid
TCM offers natural remedies for hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions at our clinic. Thyroid imbalances affect more than 20 million Americans.
Hypothyroid Basics
The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland sits in the front of the neck. It produces hormones which influence energy, metabolism, hormone regulation, body weight and blood calcium levels.
A healthy gland secretes just the right amount of hormone to regulate almost all the metabolic processes in your body. Disorders include either an overproduction (hyperthyroidism) or underproduction (hypothyroidism) of hormone. Hypothyroidism occurs more frequently than hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
* Weight loss despite increased appetite
* Increased heart rate, heart palpitations, higher blood pressure, nervousness, and excessive perspiration
* More frequent bowel movements, sometimes with diarrhea
* Muscle weakness, trembling hands
* Development of a goiter (an enlargement in your neck)
* Lighter or shorter menstrual periods
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
* Lethargy, slower mental processes or depression
* Reduced heart rate
* Increased sensitivity to cold
* Tingling or numbness in the hands
* Development of a goiter (an enlargement in your neck)
* Constipation, heavy menstrual periods or dry skin and hair
Conventional Diagnosis and Treatment For Hypothyroidism
Conventional medicine diagnoses malfunctions by testing the levels of hormones in your blood. A complete blood test will also measure thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a chemical released by the pituitary gland that triggers hormone production in the thyroid.
Once diagnosed, a conventional approach involves prescribing replacement hormone for hypothyroidism, or thyroid-hormone blocking drugs in the case of hyperthyroidism. In some cases of hyperthyroid, conventional medicine will use toxic or radioactive materials to kill the gland, or a surgeon will remove the gland, in which cases patients become permanently hypothyroid.
Use of hormone replacement “therapy” may or may not relieve your symptoms despite producing “normal” blood levels of hormone. Such replacement does not rejuvenate the gland and may accelerate the decline of glandular function. Natural remedies for hypothyroid focus on nourishing, detoxifying, and rejuvenating the gland.
Furthermore, in a person with a healthy thyroid function, the amount of hormone produced varies in very small increments from day to day in response to requirements, a natural variation that artificial therapy can never match.
Consequently artificial therapy tends to over- or under- dose the hormone, and long-term hormone replacement therapy can have side-effects like osteoporosis.
The problem with this approach lies in its failure to seek out the cause for the low or high thyroid production. The goal should be to correct the function of the gland.
Most cases of hypothyroidism arise from autoimmune attack on the thyroid, known as Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis. Many cases of hyperthyroidism also arise from autoimmune activity. Some patients even have both conditions.
We have good evidence that this autoimmunity arises as a reaction to dietary proteins and imbalances of fatty acids. Effective natural remedies for hypothyroid or hyperthyroid must focus on eliminating this cause of imbalance.
Since most cases of thyroid disorder involve autoimmune activity, most patients will benefit by adopting a whole foods animal-based diet that reduces exposure to proteins that can stimulate autoimmunity. .
Hypothyroid Alternative Diagnosis
Between 2008 and 2010, several studies have suggested that people who have "normal" thyroid hormone levels but thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the upper end of the "normal" range (above 1.0 mIU/L), constituting about one-fifth of the population, have an increased risk of fatal heart disease, miscarriage, or breech birth. This data suggests that a TSH level above 1.0 may indicate hypothyroid even if T4 levels fall in the "normal" range.
TCM for Hypothyroid
Research has shown that some classic Chinese herbal medicine formulas have the ability to stimulate increases in hormone output in hypothyroid patients, or decrease hormone output in hyperthyroid patients.
If you have a confirmed diagnosis of either hyper- or hypo-thyroid, we have ready-made herbal remedies that may improve your condition.
Acupuncture may assist in restoring hormonal balance, regulating energy levels, smooth emotions and helping manage sleep, emotions and menstrual problems. Several powerful acupuncture points on the ear and the body help to regulate the production of thyroid hormones.
Diet For Hypothyroid
Research suggests that a whole foods plant-based diet protects against all auto-immune conditions including hypothyroidism. Tonstad and colleagues reported that Seventh-Day Adventists who abstain from all animal products have a reduced risk of hypothyroidism.
Other Perspectives on Hypothyroid
Another avenue to explore when seeking natural remedies for hypothyroid and hyperthyroid involves seeking potential sources of emotional imbalance or difficulties in self-expression.
The thyroid gland sits in the throat at the level of the throat near the throat chakra. This chakra relates to your ability to express your self and your truth. Problems with the thyroid gland may indicate difficulties with communication, as if something is “stuck” in your throat.
Thyroid functions also represent the fire element. Hypothyroid may indicate a loss of passion for life; whereas hyperthyroid may indicate an excess of excitement and stimulation draining the body of reserves.
Hypnotherapy may reveal mental and emotional factors underlying thyroid malfunction, making it one of the potential natural remedies for hypothyroid or hyperthyroid conditions.
If you have a thyroid problem, call for a consultation. We can create a custom-tailored treatment plan so that you can feel better quickly and safely!
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