Hypothyroidism
Also called MyxedemaHashimoto’s disease also called Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis
Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which there is insufficient Thyroid hormone. As the Thyroid gland has a primary role in body metabolism, low thyroid function manifests as low metabolism. This manifests with mental and physical debility, sluggishness, retained fluid or obesity, constant desire to sleep, feels cold, coarse, dry hair, hair loss, rough skin, depression, scanty periods or amenorrhea etc.
Primary Hypothyroidism is the most common cause of high TSH. Thyroxine supplementation is the main treatment in modern medicine. Autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common endogenous cause of Subclinical Hypothyroidism.
Autoimmune Thyroiditis is a condition where the body produces antibodies to attack the Thyroid gland and/or its hormones. It is divided into 2 main types:
- If there is Goiter: Hashimoto’s disease
- If atrophic and without Goiter, it is called Atrophic Thyroiditis
While traditional medicine had no real idea of Hypo- or Hyper-thyroid disease it has an understanding of the implications and manifestations of the disease. For example, Goiter was universally treated with sea medicines including Kelp, Seaweeds, Sponges as well as various shells and mineral-substances such as Cuttlebone, Pumice and Oyster shells. All of these supply iodine essential for correct thyroid function.
In Traditional medicine, Hyperthyroidism tends to manifest as Heat, specifically Liver heat or Bile Humor, while Hypothyroidism tends to manifest as Yang deficiency or Phlegm humor. The former is treated with Herbs to clear Liver heat, such as Self Heal, Bugle and Balm, and formulas which clears Liver Heat such as Long Dan Xie Gan Tang of TCM,
Hypothyroid conditions may be treated with Hot and Dry medicines, Phlegm-resolving herbs and/or Herbs and formulas to warm the Yang. Herbs like Ginger, Cinnamon, Aconitum Fu Zi and formulas such as You Gui Yin are typically used. In the Western tradition, cases with excess Phlegm should have Phlegm purgatives.
Foods beneficial in Hypothyroidism include Cabbage, Rocket, Radish, Horseradish, Chilli, Ginger, Pepper, Cumin. Avoid cold and raw foods, dairy and excess sweets. Adequate exercise and limiting sleep are also important.
Misleading Thyroid Conditions
Sometimes we have someone who has erratic TSH levels. They may have had a test suggesting Hyperthyroidism followed weeks or months later with an opposing result. We may also have someone who would appear to be a classical Hypothyroid condition (overweight, low energy, sluggish) and yet has a reading indicating Hyperthyroidism. These types of cases may indicate an autoimmune condition, where an initial inflammation of the gland has created a Hyperthyroid effect, but as the gland and hormones are attacked by the immune system, it eventually manifests with Hypothyroidism. In such cases, it is always best in Traditional Medicine to treat the presenting syndrome. For example, treat Heat, Phlegm or Yang deficiency according to the patient. Secondly, herbs which may be of use in both thyroid conditions and autoimmune conditions can be used. This includes herbs such as Self Heal, Rosemary, Bugle, Balm etc.
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Western Tradition Simples
Cases due to Thyroiditis, Virus or Autoimmune may be treated with Self Heal and Balm. Formulas Trikatu (Ginger, Long and Black Pepper) |
Chinese Classification Simples
Formulas Da Ding Feng Zhu Spleen Qi Deficiency (early stage) Lethargy, fatigue improved by rest, poor appetite, loose bowels, pale face, weak pulse Si Jun Zi Tang Qi and Blood Deficiency As for Qi deficiency, but with pale tongue, palpitations, more pronounced weakness and coldness. Shi Quan Da Bu Tang Spleen Yang Deficiency As for Qi deficiency but with cold extremities, pale face, aversion to cold Li Zhong Wan Shi Pi Yin Qi and Phlegm Stagnation Ban Xia Hou Po Tang Yang Deficiency Coldness, weakness, withdrawal, soreness and weakness of the lower back, flabby and pale tongue with a deep and weak pulse Bao Yuan Tang Shen Qi Wan Zhen Wu Tang You Gui Yin You Gui Wan Si Ni Tang Huan Shao Dan Devastated Yang Severe coldness, pale complexion, ice cold extremities, dizziness, blurred vision, weak respiration, pale and flabby tongue with a extremely weak pulse. This can be seen in Myzedema Crisis. Si Ni Tang + Ginseng (Ren Shen) |
Special Formulas
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1. Kelp & Ginger Kelp Ginger, equal parts Powder. Take half teaspoonful twice daily. 2.. Autoimmune Hypothyroid Prune Fennel root Chicory root Tamarind Stoechas Cumin 5 grams ea. Beat into coarse powder and boil for 5 minutes in 150 mls. of water, and drink before breakfast. Reboil the same herbs in 150 mls of water and drink before dinner. This Unani formula was trialed in a small study, TSH levels dropped by around 90% after 90 days of use. |
Research
1. Relation of hypothyroidism and deficiency of kidney yang.2. How to give TCM differential treatment for hypothyroidism?
3. Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach to Hypothyroidism
4. Dr Ji Wenhuang’s experience in TCM treatment of thyropathy
5. Understanding hypothyroidism in Unani medicine.
6. Update of hypothyroidism and its management in Unani medicine.
7. Herbal preparations in the management of hypothyroidism in Unani medicine.
8. Effects of yang-restoring and yin-nourishing herbs on serum TRH, T3 and T4 levels in experimental hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats.
9. Effects of yin-tonics and yang-tonics on serum thyroid hormone levels and thyroid hormone receptors of hepatic cell nucleus in hyperthyroxinemic and hypothyroxinemic rats.
10. Effect of the Yang tonifying herbs on myocardial beta-adrenoceptors of hypothyroid rabbits.
11. Effects of yin-tonics and yang-tonics on serum thyroid hormone levels and thyroid hormone receptors of hepatic cell nucleus in hyperthyroxinemic and hypothyroxinemic rats.
12. A systematic review of combinatorial treatment with warming and invigorating drugs and levothyroxine for hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto disease.
13. Analysis on the traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of the patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases. Changes in the thyroid and immune functions in 109 cases.
14. The substance basis of Poria ameliorates hypothyroidism other than hyperthyroidism based on proteomics and metabolomics.
15. The effect of red ginseng and ginseng leaves on the substance and energy metabolism in hypothyroidism rats.