Homeopathic treatment
Before delving into homeopathic treatment let us first discuss the conventional or allopathic treatment available.
The only treatment available for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired
production of thyroid hormone) in allopathy or conventional medicine is Hormone
Replacement Therapy (HRT). The HRT compensates the insufficiency of the hormone
that the thyroid gland is unable to produce.
But with Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) in the form of thyroxin products like
Eltroxin and Thyronorm or levothyroxine sodium what happens is that the thyroid
gland becomes more sluggish because its work is being done from outside, and eventually
it stops producing hormones at all, and the patient becomes dependent on HRT for
life time with increasing doses.
Also what I have found out in my clinical practice is that even when the patient
is on HRT and his or her TSH levels are coming out normal; still the body is affected
with symptoms of hypothyroidism like hair fall, weakness of memory, lethargy, weight
gain, constipation, aches, menstrual irregularities, dryness of skin and hair, depression,
numbness and so on.
This does not happen with homeopathic treatment in which we do not give HRT but
natural homeopathy remedies are given which actually stimulate the thyroid gland
to produce normal amount of hormones, thus curing the problem of hypothyroidism
from the root.
Most importantly allopathy treatment of HRT is associated with serious side effects.
Scientific studies have suggested the relation between HRT and cancer and several
warnings have been issued by government health departments.
Other side effects particularly in women include irregular menstrual cycles, infertility
and diseases like ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Some patients
on hormone replacement therapy may experience nervousness or chest pain.
In women using HRT for 5 years, 47 out of 1000 women develop breast cancer and in
those using HRT for 10 years, there would be an extra 6 cases i.e. 51 out of 1000,
and this goes on increasing. The rate of breast cancer was 26% higher among those
receiving HRT as opposed to those getting placebo. The rate for heart disease was
29% higher. HRT increases the risk of stroke (brain attack) by almost a third, a
review of clinical trials says - BBC News, 7th January, 2005. Stroke rates were
41% higher and blood clot rates were more than twice as high in those getting HRT
- American Cancer Society, 2002.
For the patients suffering from hypothyroidism symptoms there are excellent remedies
in homeopathy which are prepared from a wide range of natural products and prescribed
in extremely minute doses without any side effects.
Hypothyroidism like most of the other endocrinological (hormonal) disorders cannot
be viewed in isolation. It must be viewed as a derangement in the harmony of the
entire hormonal balance of the person. Remedies for hypothyroidism are
chosen to offer individualized treatment based on the study of patient's underactive
thyroid, its extent, cause, genetic pattern, emotional sphere, hormonal imbalance,
physical and mental state and so on.
Results are usually observed within 2 to 5 months of starting homeopathic treatment
whereby TSH levels reduce. With continued treatment, the HRT in the form of Eltroxin
or Thyronorm is slowly tapered off i.e. reduced and then may be stopped altogether,
keeping a watch on thyroid hormone levels, thus saving the patient from serious
side effects.
There are 197 homeopathy medicines which give great relief in hypothyroidism (underactive
thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone). However, the correct choice
of remedies and the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment
on the part of the doctor. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking of
the patient. Thus treatment is designer made for each individual patient unlike
allopathy in which all patients receive the same hormonal replacement therapy.
Some of the remedies which may be used under an expert homeopath are Calcarea carbonicum,
Natrium muriaticum, Kalium carbonicum, Iodum, Thyroidinum and so on.
In my experience, homeopathy is strongly recommended for all types of hypothyroid
patients; recently diagnosed cases as well as chronic patients already on HRT for
a long time. In recent cases we are able to stop the HRT completely or we may never
let the patient start it. In chronic cases already on high doses of HRT, usually
we are able to bring down the dosage of HRT and also there is improvement symptomatically.
Thus, homeopathy should be the first choice for hypothyroidism because it acts quickly
without causing any side effects. It treats the disease from its roots stimulating
the thyroid gland to produce normal amounts of hormones.
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What is hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone)
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone) is
a condition of insufficient thyroid hormone in the body. It develops when the thyroid
gland fails to produce as much as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyroxine (T3) as the
body needs.
Since the main purpose of hormones produced by thyroid gland is to "run the body's
metabolism," it is understandable that people with this hypothyroidism or underactive
thyroid would have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism causing damage to
organs and tissues of every part of the body and leading to life threatening complications.
It is one of the most common chronic diseases in the developed countries like United
States, United Kingdom and so on. And it is now getting very common in developing
countries like India, China and so on.
Although this condition is believed to affect as many as 11 million adults and children,
but 2 out of every 3 people with hypothyroidism may not know they have the disease.
Symptoms may not appear until years after the thyroid has stopped functioning and
they are often mistaken for signs of other illnesses, menopause and aging.
It is at least twice as common in women as it is in men. Although it is most common
in women who are middle aged or older, the disease can occur at any age.
Causes
- Chronic Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) : A form of thyroid inflammation
caused by damage to thyroid tissue.
- Autoimmune diseases : You are at more risk if you have diseases like rheumatoid
arthritis, vitiligo, addison's disease, diabetes and so on.
- Surgery : Removal of a partial or all of thyroid is another cause.
- Radioactive iodine therapy.
- Secondary Hypothyroidism : Disorders of pituitary and hypothalamus leading to thyroid
hormone deficiency in addition to other hormonal imbalances.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid
hormone) mainly depend upon the severity of the hormone deficiency and its duration.
For most patients, the symptoms are mild and can often be confused with other problems.
The symptoms may include:
- Fatigue, lethargy
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Constipation
- Muscle aches
- Menstrual irregularities
- Cold intolerance
- Dry, rough, pale skin
- Coarse dry hair
- Depression
- Decreased concentration
- Irritability
- Slower mental processes
- Muscle cramps
- Slowed heart rate
- Tingling or numbness in the hands
Complications
If left untreated, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of
thyroid hormone) can lead to several other health issues:
- Goitre : Enlargement of thyroid gland resulting in swelling in throat, swallowing
and breathing problems.
- Heart ailments.
- Mental health : Depression.
- Myxedema : Life threatening condition which results due to prolonged, severe, untreated
hypothyroidism.
- Infertility and miscarriages.
- Babies born to women with untreated thyroid disease may have a higher risk of birth
defects. These kids are also more prone to serious intellectual and developmental
problems.
Lab investigations
- Diagnosis can be established on the results of tests done to measure the level of
T4 and TSH hormones in the blood. Usually thyroid profile is ordered. For Hashimoto's
thyroiditis Anti-TPO antibody testing is done.
- When you are hypothyroid, higher quantities of TSH are circulating in your blood
as your body attempts to foster increased production of thyroid hormones.
- USG (Ultrasonography) of the neck and thyroid can be used to detect any nodules
and infiltrative disease.
Yoga
For many people, the Shoulder Stand position, at least once daily for 20 minutes,
can help improve overall thyroid function.
Lie on your back and lift your legs up so your hips are off the floor. Supporting
your hips with your hands, extend your legs vertically. Slide your hands along your
torso toward your shoulders, with your thumbs at the front of your body and fingers
at the back. Make sure your body weight is supported by your shoulders, not your
head and neck.
Diet & nutrition
- Avoid peaches, cabbage, soybeans, spinach, peanuts, and radishes, as these foods
can interfere with the manufacture of thyoid hormones.
- Supplements of vitamin c, vitamin E, riboflavin (vitamin B2), zinc and niacin (vitamin
B3), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and tyrosine might help boost thyroid production.
Home remedies
Aerobic exercise for 15 to 20 minutes a day is excellent for maintaining good thyroid
function. Regular physical activity is especially important if you are hypothyroid.