Hyperthyroidism Treatment Options from Ayurvedic Medicine

 

What Is Hyperthyroidism and How Can You Manage It With Ayurvedic Medicine

Trying to find a new hyperthyroidism treatment?

Western medicine doesn’t have all the answers. It relies on strong medications which often leave patients feeling like they traded one set of symptoms for another. For some patients, a subtler approach works better.

If you’re suffering from hyperthyroidism and want to try a more subtle approach, Ayurvedic medicine might just be the pill you need. Read on to learn more.

What Is The Thyroid?

Nearly one in 20 people experience some type of thyroid dysfunction in their lifetime. Your thyroid gland is part of your endocrine system. It secretes regulatory hormones directly into your blood.

The gland sits just below the larynx. It has two lobes, one on either side of your windpipe. It controls a multitude of vital metabolic processes. They include heart rate, body temperature, weight, and blood pressure.

Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid gland produces hormones that set your body’s metabolic rate.

• Thyroxine (tetra-iodothyronine)
• Triiodothyronine

Doctors refer to these hormones as T4 (tetra) and T3 (tri). The more of the above hormones that circulate in your blood, the faster your metabolism. Your body needs about 150mcg of iodine each day for sufficient hormone production.

Located in your brain, your pituitary gland regulates the production of these hormones. It releases a chemical called thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH)

What Is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is sometimes called thyrotoxicosis. It’s a condition that occurs when your thyroid gland becomes overactive. In Australia, the most common type of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ Disease. It’s an autoimmune condition in which the immune system overstimulates the thyroid and produces too much hormone.

Hyperthyroidism is also caused by the thyroid growing inflamed (thyroiditis). It may also be caused by nodules located inside the thyroid gland which become hyperactive. Approximately 1 in 50 women experience some degree of hyperthyroidism.

Signs Of Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism presents a wide range of symptoms. Most relate to your metabolic speed. They include the following:

• Nervousness, irritability, anxiety, and high emotions
• Tremors and muscle weakness
• High libido
• Excessive perspiration and heat intolerance
• Interrupted sleep patterns and fatigue
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Heart palpitations or increased heart rate
• Rapid pulse
• Infrequent or irregular menstrual cycles
• Difficulty conceiving
• Shortness of breath, especially during exercise
• Diarrhea
• Loss of hair
• Double vision and swollen eyes
• Enlarged thyroid gland

If you have these conditions, visit your primary care provider for a diagnosis. Many of these symptoms aren’t unusual, so it’s not incorrect self-diagnosis is common.

Graves’ Disease

With the autoimmune disorder, Graves’ Disease, your own immune system attacks your body. Normally, your pituitary gland releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). It regulates the production of your hormones.

With Graves’ Disease, your antibodies imitate TSH and cause your thyroid to overproduce hormones. It produces the same symptoms as traditional hypothyroidism as well as the following:

• Protruding eyeballs
• Eye swelling
• Goiter (enlarged thyroid glands)
• Double vision
• Thyroid eye disease

This disease is more common in women between the ages of 20 to 40. It tends to run in families.

Ayurvedic Hyperthyroidism Treatment

Ayurvedic medicine focuses on the body as a whole. It works on the principle that imbalances in the body cause disease. The only way to cure disease is to rebalance the body.

Both use a combination of herbs, foods, and exercises to restore balance. Herbs are used to combat specific symptoms. Foods and exercises are used in broader strokes to balance big shifts from the body’s natural state.

Both also include components that rebalance the energy of the body. Chinese medicine works on energetic meridians. Ayurvedic medicine works on chakras.

Ayurvedic medicine says that a thyroid imbalance is related to “Agni” or metabolic “fire.” With hypothyroidism, too much fire in the system. It causes the metabolism to run too fast.

This metabolic impairment leads to an imbalance in a person’s “Vata” and “Pitta” doshas. Symptoms of this imbalance include those listed above under the hypothyroidism section.

Ayurvedic Herbs For Hyperthyroidism

These are the most common ayurvedic herbs used to treat hyperthyroidism:

Brahmi: It supports healthy blood cells, and it’s used to create a balanced emotional state. It also promotes daytime energy and nighttime sleep.

Jatamansi: It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also used as an anti-stress and anti-depressant medicine.

Sarpagandha: It relieves excited states of mind, such as anxiety.

Guggulu: It’s a natural source of antioxidants, and it supports the immune system. It also helps regulate menstrual cycles.

Ashwagandha: It reduces anxiety and produces a calming effect on the brain. it also treats high blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Practitioners use additional herbs on a case by case bases to combat symptoms and hasten recovery.

Ayurvedic Diet Recommendations For Hyperthyroidism

To suppress thyroid hormone production, eat cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower. These are natural hyperthyroidism treatments to be used in conjunction with herbs and exercise. Also include leafy green vegetables, like kale, mustard greens, and spinach.

To boost the immune system, eat foods rich in antioxidants. Berries, peaches, melons, dates, bananas, and walnuts are great options. 

Be sure to include foods and herbs that decrease inflammation. Those include turmeric, oregano, coconut, and cinnamon. Similarly, avoid foods that create inflammation, such as alcohol, refined flour, and sugar.

Yoga For Hyperthyroidism

Yoga also plays an important role, balancing the chakras, thereby healing the thyroid gland. Meditation, Pranayama, and Yogasanas are all recommended as natural remedies for hyperthyroidism.

An alternative is Ayurvedic massage treatment. It balances doshas and creates equilibrium in your thyroid. It’s an excellent alternative if you’re recovering from an injury.

What’s Next?

Now that you know about the Ayurvedic hyperthyroidism treatment, you’ll have to decide whether it’s right for you. If you’re already on medication, we recommend you use the Ayurvedic in conjunction with your doctor’s treatment plan. The ayurvedic practitioner will help you decide when it’s time to wean yourself off your medication.

If you’d like to learn more, or you’re ready to start treatment, speak with an Ayurvedic medicine specialist today. So long and good luck!

 

• July 20, 2020
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