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Hypothyroidism and Homeopathy

  Thyroid Gland
  Pituitary Gland and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
  Hypothalamus Gland and TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH)
  Hypothyroidism
  Symptoms of  Hypothyroidism
  Causes of  Hypothyroidism
  Homeopathic Approach for the treatment

Thyroid Gland:     Top
Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland, in the front of the neck. The function of the thyroid gland is to convert  iodine found in many foods into thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Only the thyroid gland has cells that can absorb iodine. The thyroid takes the iodine from foods, supplements and iodized salt and combines it with the amino acid tyrosine  to produce T3 and T4. T3 and T4 travel throughout the body through the bloodstream and help cells convert oxygen and calories into energy.  The normal thyroid gland produces about 80% of T4 and 20% of T3.

Pituitary Gland and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH):     Top
The pituitary gland is the size of a peanut and is located at the base of the brain. When the levels of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones drop too low, the pituitary gland produces the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more T3 and T4 hormones. If the levels of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones in the blood increase, the pituitary gland responds by reducing the production of TSH. 

Hypothalamus Gland and TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH):     Top
The hypothalamus gland is located in the brain. This gland produces the TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH) which communicates with the pituitary gland which in turn stimulates the thyroid gland by producing and releasing TSH.

Hypothyroidism:     Top
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which body doesn't have sufficient thyroid hormone levels in the blood stream.  Since  the body's metabolism is managed by the thyroid hormones, persons suffering with hypothyroidism will have a slow metabolism.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:     Top
The symptoms of hypothyroidism mainly depend on the severity of the hormone deficiency and how long the decrease has been present. For most patients, the symptoms are mild and can often be confused with other problems. The symptoms may include the following:

  • Weakness
  • Hair loss
  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Dry, rough pale skin
  • Coarse dry hair
  • Cold intolerance
  • Depression
  • Decreased concentration
  • Constipation
  • Irritability
  • Muscle cramps
  • Muscle aches
  • Memory loss
  • Abnormal menstrual cycle
  • Slowed heart rate
Causes of Hypothyroidism:     Top
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is the  chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), a form of thyroid inflammation caused by damage to the thyroid tissue. Damage occurs because immune cells which usually fight off infection and colds attack the body's own thyroid tissue instead.

  • Autoimmune Diseases - You may be at risk for thyroiditis if you have other autoimmune diseases. Some examples of these autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis (the immune cells attack the joints), vitiligo (patches of skin lose their color and become white), Addison's disease (a disorder of the adrenal glands), and diabetes (the immune cells attack the pancreas which produces insulin).
  • Age - Hypothyroidism becomes increasingly common as we age, particularly in women. If you are older your thyroid may not provide enough thyroid hormones, thus resulting in hypothyroidism.
  • Surgery - Removal of a portion or all of the thyroid gland is another cause. If the total mass of thyroid producing cells left within the body are not enough to meet the needs of the body, the patient will develop hypothyroidism.
  • Radioactive iodine - If a patient has undergone radioactive iodine therapy to kill a portion of the thyroid,  either to prevent goiters from growing larger, or to prevent the production of too much of the hormone (Hyperthyroidism), too many cells can be damaged and the patient could become hypothyroid in couple of years following the therapy.
  • Secondary Hypothyroidism - There are some rare causes of hypothyroidism related to brain diseases, also called secondary hypothyroidism. Disorders of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus portions of the brain may cause thyroid hormone deficiency in addition to other hormonal imbalances.

Homeopathic Approach for the treatment:     Top

There are excellent remedies in Homeopathy for the patients suffering from hypothyroidism symptoms. The homeopathic remedies are prepared from a wide range of substances such as the vegetables, herbs, minerals, chemicals and animal products in extremely minute doses. The homeopathic remedy selected will be based on all the symptoms of the patient including physical, mental and emotional states, and family history of the patient.  Homeopathic remedies stimulate the body's own immune system and offer a long lasting cure rather than giving temporary relief.
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