Restorative Medicine and Prevention in Hyperthyroidism
Therapeutics
Once a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism has been made, treatment may include phytotherapeutic agents, lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, and hormone replacements therapy.
Priority 1: Cardiac Complaints
- Any cardiac complaints the patient may be having is the first treatment priority, i.e. the blood pressure and heart rate should be brought within normal limits.
- Patients with cardiovascular symptoms may benefit from the use adaptogenic herbs (see table below ).
- However, in acute thyrotoxicosis patients will need extra assistance in the form of aggressive high doses of herbs.
- In emergency situations, PTU might be needed to decrease thyroid hormone production.
Priority 2: Hyperthyroidism Control
- Once cardiovascular symptoms are under control, the second priority is to work toward controlling the hyperthyroidism. The current medical paradigm believes that hyperthyroidism can only be permanently “cured” by using radioactive iodine or surgery to destroy the thyroid gland permanently. However, the use of natural medicine in the high doses will usually be able to reverse hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroid Botanicals and Nutraceuticals
Hyperthyroid herbs in high doses often reduces thyroid hormone levels, allowing the TSH level to come up over time. However, it is possible TSH levels may get a little worse before they improve.
TABLE OF ADAPTOGENIC HERBS USED TO TREAT HYPERTHYROIDISM
| Name | Latin name | Use in Thyroid Support & General Uses |
| Bugleweed | Lycopus virginicus | Thyroid alterative helpful for both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid.
Inhibits iodine metabolism, inhibits release of thyroxine from the thyroid, decreases pulse rate, and deceases blood pressure. Reduces thyroid hormone levels in hyperthyroid animals. Dose: 150 drops of a 1:3 extract |
| Lemon Balm | Melissa officinalis | Helps in decreasing anxiety and calming an overactive thyroid.
Demonstrated the ability to normalize TSH levels in animal experiments when combined with Lycopus virginicus. 45 drops of a 1:3 extract |
| Skullcap | Scutelleria officinalis | Nervine to calm the emotionally and physically over-stressed patient.
Dose: 45 drops of a 1:3 extract. |
| Blue Flag | Iris versicolor | Lymphatic herb.
Potent detoxifier of the thyroid. Helpful for goiters and nodules. 45 drops of a 1:6 extract |
| Thunder God Vine | Tripterygium wilfordi | Considered in TCM to be safer and more effective than corticosteroids in treating autoimmune diseases.
Used by Chinese doctors for a wide range of autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis (the variety leigongteng is used), lupus, and hyperthyroidism. Availability in North America is limited due to toxicity issues. |
| Motherwort | Leonurus cardiaca | The alkaloids in motherwort, specifically leonurine, act as a central nervous system depressant and hypotensive. It is recommended as an adjuvant therapy for hyperthyroidism. |
Clinical Nutrition
- Soy – short term administration of dietary soy has a small but measurable effect on thyroid hormone levels, increasing the T4 and T3.
- Brassicas – Cabbage, cauliflower, and other brassica family vegetables have been known to be antithyroid in high levels.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
- The Chinese concept of hyperthyroidism is that there is usually an underlying deficiency of QI (vital energy), and yin (feminine energy), with an excess of heat, especially in the heart meridian.
- Although the concepts are totally different from Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine has significant success in managing hyperthyroidism through a variety of herbs, in which TSH levels can be increased successfully.
Ayurvedic Medicine
- Ayurvedic medicine interprets the hyperthyroid symptoms of nervousness, hypersensitivity to heat, palpitations, fatigue, increased appetite, and weight loss as caused by an imbalance of all three doshas, especially the pitta (fire dosha).
- The main herbs used are: kanchanar guggul, triphala, and trikatu. Guggul is helpful for all thyroid conditions, hyper and hypo.
Selected Clinical Studies and Literature Review
For a full discussion of successful Chinese herbal treatments for thyroid disease, see Subhuti Dharmananda, “Treatments for Thyroid Disease with Chinese Herbal Medicine,” in Selected Clinical Studies and Literature Reviews.
Prognosis
- Most patients with hyperthyroid respond within a few months. The majority will have restored thyroid function within a year to the point that they are no longer hyperthyroid, even after discontinuing a hyperthyroid formula. Patients who have severe hyperthyroidism might need several years to normalize.
- TSH values usually increase within several months of taking hyperthyroid formula.
Drug Interactions
The use of thyroid hormones supplementation is contraindicated in hyperthyroidism.
Side Effects
In clinical practice, none have been noted.
Side Benefits
The formula is not only calming to the thyroid, but also effective for anxiety and heart palpitations.
