Decoding Thyroid Dysfunction with Homeopathy

The thyroid gland is an important part of the endocrine system. It synthesizes thyroid hormones namely T3 (tri-iodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) under the influence of the Pituitary gland and the Hypothalamus. The Pituitary releases Thyroid Stimulating Hormone(TSH) while the Hypothalamus releases Thyrotropic Releasing Hormone (TRH) and these hormones regulate thyroid function in the body. The thyroid hormones are anabolic when present within the optimum limits in the body while an excess of them has a catabolic affect on the body tissues.

The optimum levels of these hormones are:

T3 : 100-200 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter).

T4 : 0.8-1.8 ng/dL

TSH (from Pituitary) : 0.4-4.0 mIU/L

These hormones regulate a variety of developmental and physiological processes in the body.

Main functions include:

A) Mental development and maturation: Thyroid hormones are responsible for the generation of neurons, synapses, myelination of nerve fibers during the intra-uterine life. Deficiency of the hormones causes retarded brain development and maturation, cognitive and intellectual under-development.

B) Physical development and growth: Stimulate Growth Hormone synthesis by acting along with other growth factors. Helps in the production of red blood cells, responsible for normal reproductive behavior and physiology.

C) Action on metabolic processes and regulation of Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): They principally regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. They promote gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis causing increased levels of free glucose, stimulate protein synthesis, utilization of lipids to generate energy i.e., ATP synthesis.

Abnormalities of the thyroid gland:

The abnormalities in the action of the thyroid gland can arise due to iodine deficiency, congenital thyroid defect, autoimmune thyroid diseases, pituitary pathology. These factors result in either an under-active/Hypothyroid or an over-active/Hyperthyroid gland and abnormal levels of thyroid hormones.

In Hypothyroidism, BMR and metabolic rate decrease due to decreased Thyroxine from the Thyroid Gland which stimulates the Pituitary Gland to produce more Thyroid Stimulating Hormone(TSH) in response to an underactive thyroid. The most common clinical manifestation of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

Triad of Hypothyroidism- Cold intolerance + Constipation + Depression.

In Hyperthyroidism, BMR and metabolic rate increases due to high levels of free thyroid hormones, and because of the negative feedback control, TSH production decreases from the Pituitary. Grave’s Disease is a common clinical condition having hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis.

Triad of Hyperthyroidism- Heat intolerance + Diarrhoea + Tremors.

The Thyroid Profile:

It includes measuring the levels of T3, T4, and TSH in the blood.

The thyroid function test not only checks the thyroid health but also Pituitary and Hypothalamic status.

A) If there is low T4  then it could mean that either patient has a diseased thyroid gland or it can also mean that patient is having a non-functioning pituitary gland. As pituitary is responsible for TSH AND TSH is responsible for T4.

B) Low T4 and High TSH shows that the Pituitary gland is functioning properly but T4 is still low, which suggests the thyroid gland is at fault. Hence low T4 and high TSH  that Hypothyroidism is due to failure of the thyroid gland to function not due to Pituitary dysfunction.

C) If the T4 level the l is low and TSH is not elevated then shows that the Pituitary gland is not bothered about low T4 level in the blood, it shows that the pituitary gland is at fault. Low T 4 and normal TSH means hypothyroidism due to PITUITARY GLAND DYSFUNCTION and once such pituitary hypothyroidism is seen, it is more a serious issue than normal hypothyroidism, coz the Pituitary gland regulates other glands too such as adrenals/ovaries/testicles/kidney.

Food And Diet:

Since thyroid hormones are known to convert nutrients into energy (anabolic action) and regulate metabolism in the body hence the food consumed plays a crucial role in patients suffering from thyroid disorders. Although changing food habits alone will not cure the abnormal levels of hormones but it will help to recover faster and will also prevent from getting the condition worse.

To keep the thyroid gland healthy, food items that need attention are:

A) Goitrogenic vegetables: These are spinach, cabbage, broccoli, kale, soy. These have a negative effect on thyroid functioning. People suffering from an underactive thyroid should avoid eating them. They prevent Iodine (the principal element for the synthesis of thyroid hormones) from entering the thyroid gland and also interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormone in the body.

B) Artificial sweeteners and simple carbohydrates: They should be avoided and complex carbohydrates should be consumed to promote better metabolism. Complex carbohydrates are found in whole grains, vegetables, fruits. While soft drinks, diet soda, potato chips, sugar, fried food should be avoided.

C) Avoid Gluten rich food: Gluten is found in barley, rye, oats, and wheat. Gluten rich food interferes with thyroid hormone absorption.

What Thyroid Dysfunction suggests At Mental Level:

According to histology, the thyroid gland comprises of intestinal cylindrical epithelial cells. And biologically associated with the digestive and energy-generating processes in the body. As per Dr. Hamer, the right side of the thyroid gland is concerned with “not being fast enough to catch a morsel” here the morsel signifies any important thing which the person wants to happen. It could be a position, job, business, etc. which is a person is unable to take hold of.

While the left side is concerned with the “not being fast enough to eliminate a morsel” again it could be any discomforting or displeasing situation that the person is not able to get rid of. Such conditions are associated with thyroid dysfunction.

How Homeopathy Can Help in Thyroid Disorders:

In thyroid disorders, the external thyroid hormone or thyroid supplements are taken usually on life long basis, just like the medication for hypertension or diabetes. Homeopathy not only effectively treats such disorders with lesser to negligible side effects but also helps to abolish the dependency over these medications, if treated with constitutional remedy.

The mechanism of action of homeopathic remedies remains the same for every disease, that is they act by stimulating and strengthening the immune system which helps the body to recover or cure the diseased condition. Since homeopathic treatment is based on individualization, to consider the overall signs and symptoms of the disease along with the underlying thought process and constitution of the person is a key element for remedy selection.

Research published in the International Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (IJCAM) was conducted for comparison between the action and effectiveness of Levothyroxine 500mcg (a medicine used in the treatment of hypothyroidism) and homeopathic medicine Thyroidinum 3x. The study demonstrated that the action of both medicines is similar and the homeopathic medicine aids curative action in hypothyroidism. While no side effects were recorded, it was concluded that Thyroidinum 3x can effectively treat hypothyroidism.

Thyroidinum at a glance:

The homeopathic medicine, Thyroidinum is made from thyroid extract. The mother tincture is prepared by triturating the fresh healthy thyroid gland of the sheep or calf.

Clinically used in:

It is not only used to treat hypothyroidism but also the varied manifestations that arise due to thyroid dysfunction at the mental and physical levels. Like tachycardia, exophthalmos, dilatation of pupils, myxoedema, cretinism, and rickets.

It is a principal remedy for hypothyroidism developing after acute diseases.

It is also effective in undescended testicles in boys, psoriasis, goiter, excessive obesity, mammary tumor, uterine fibroid.

Mind:

Acute stupor alternating with restless melancholia at times could not be got to speak, but would lie on the floor with rigid limbs at other times would weep and undress herself.

Just like the sheep feel light and clean after shearing, thyroidinum patients feel better when they bring out their anger, shed the anger, and undress their feelings or the feelings of their interpersonal relationships.

Depression, fretfulness, and moroseness gave way to cheerfulness and animation. All progressed cases of myxoedema show some mental aberration which tends towards dementia, usually with delusions, the latter taking the form of suspicion and persecution.

Sudden acute mania occurring in myxoedema, perfectly restored mentally and bodily under thyroidinum.

Excited condition, lasting all the rest of the day, grunting continuously and laughing in a way that was peculiar to herself.

Very excited, excited state followed by considerable depression.

Hysterical condition for several hours.

References

1) Harrison’s Principles Of Internal Medicine, 19th Edition.

2)https://learninggnm.com/SBS/documents/i_thyroid_parathyroids.html#Thyroid_Gland_CA

3) Homeopathic Thyroidinum 3x – An adjuvant in the treatment of hypothyroidism.

4) A Dictionary Of Practical Materia Medica by J.H. Clarke.

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