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Alternative Answers for Hypothyroidism\n
\nPrimary Hypothyroidism, or under active thyroid gland, may cause a variety of
\nsymptoms and may affect all body functions. The body\'s normal rate of
\nfunctioning slows, causing mental and physical sluggishness. The symptoms may
\nvary from mild to severe, with the most severe form called myxedema, which is a
\nmedical emergency. The secretion of T3 and T4 is controlled by the pituitary
\ngland and the hypothalamus. Thyroid disorders may result not only from defects
\nin the thyroid gland itself, but also from abnormalities of the pituitary or
\nhypothalamus.
\n
\nThe most common cause of Hypothyroidism is Hashimoto\'s Thyroiditis, a disease of
\nthe thyroid gland where the body\'s immune system attacks the gland. Failure of
\nthe pituitary gland to secrete a hormone to stimulate the thyroid gland
\n(secondary Hypothyroidism) is a less common cause of Hypothyroidism. Other
\ncauses include congenital defects, surgical removal of the thyroid gland,
\nirradiation of the gland, or inflammatory conditions.
\n
\nA physical examination reveals delayed relaxation of muscles during tests of
\nreflexes. Pale, yellow skin; loss of the outer edge of the eyebrows; thin and
\nbrittle hair; coarse facial features; brittle nails; firm swelling of the arms
\nand legs; and mental dullness may be present. Vital signs may reveal slow heart
\nrate, low blood pressure, and low body temperature.
\n
\nA chest X-ray may reveal an enlarged heart.
\nA complete blood count (CBC) that shows anemia.
\n
\n
\nLaboratory tests to determine thyroid function include:
\nT4 test (low)
\nserum TSH (high in primary Hypothyroidism, low or low-normal in secondary
\nHypothyroidism)
\n
\n
\nAdditional laboratory abnormalities may include:
\nincreased Cholesterol levels
\nincreased liver enzymes
\nincreased serum prolactin
\nlow serum sodium
\n
\n
\n
Causes\n
\nThe most common cause is Hashimoto\'s Thyroiditis. The thyroid is gradually
\ndestroyed, Hypothyroidism develops.
\n
\nSubacute painless Thyroiditis and subacute painful Thyroiditis can both cause
\ntransient Hypothyroidism. The Hypothyroidism is transient because the thyroid is
\nnot destroyed.
\n
\nHypothyroidism can develop from complete lack of thyroid hormone production
\nbecause of radioactive iodine or surgical removal of the thyroid gland, both of
\nwhich are used to treat Hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.
\n
\nSome causes of Hypothyroidism include some inherited disorders in which an
\nabnormality of the enzymes in thyroid cells prevents the gland from making or
\nsecreting enough thyroid hormones. In other rare disorders, either the
\nhypothalamus or the pituitary gland fails to secrete enough thyroid-stimulating
\nhormone, which is necessary for normal stimulation of the thyroid.
\n
\n
Symptoms\n
\nInsufficient thyroid hormone causes body functions to slow. Symptoms are subtle
\nand develop gradually. They may be mistaken for depression, especially among
\nolder people. Facial expressions become dull, the voice is hoarse and speech is
\nslow, eyelids droop, and the eyes and face become puffy. Many people with
\nHypothyroidism gain weight, become constipated, and are unable to tolerate cold.
\nThe hair becomes sparse, coarse, and dry, and the skin becomes coarse, dry,
\nscaly, and thick. Some people develop carpal tunnel syndrome, which makes the
\nhands tingle or hurt.
\n
\n
Diagnosis\n
\nUsually Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed with one simple blood test: the
\nmeasurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Many experts suggest that the test
\nbe performed at least every other year in people older than 55, because
\nHypothyroidism is so common among older people yet so difficult, in its mild
\nstages, for doctors to distinguish from other disorders that affect people in
\nthis age group.
\n
\nIn those rare cases of Hypothyroidism caused by inadequate secretion of
\nthyroid-stimulating hormone, a second blood test is needed to measure the level
\nof the thyroid hormone T4 that is not bound by protein (free). A low level
\nconfirms the diagnosis of Hypothyroidism. A total T4 and/or Free T4, and a Total
\nT3 and/or Free T3 should be run in addition to a TSH. (Many doctors use the T3
\nuptake test, but it is not a direct test of T3 levels, and can be influenced by
\nother hormones.
\n
\nThe T7 test or Free T4 Index is a calculated test and of little value. Then get
\nthe actual value of your blood tests and compare them with the lab reference
\nranges. The lab reference ranges are very wide, and you might not feel well with
\nlow normal results. Some doctors realize this, and you might be able to talk
\nhim/her into a trial of thyroid hormone with low normal lab values. Often,
\nthyroid antibodies tests and TRH stimulation test are abnormal even when blood
\ntests are within reference ranges.
\n
\nA TRH stimulation test measures one form of secondary Hypothyroidism,
\noriginating in the pituitary gland.
\n
\n
Treatment\n
\nTreatment involves replacing thyroid hormone using one of several oral
\npreparations. The preferred form of hormone replacement is synthetic T4. Another
\nform, desiccated (dried) thyroid, is obtained from the thyroid glands of
\nanimals. In general, desiccated thyroid is less satisfactory than synthetic T4
\nbecause the content of thyroid hormones in the tablets may vary. In emergencies,
\nsuch as myxedema coma, doctors may give synthetic T4, T3, or both intravenously.
\n
\nTreatment begins with small doses of thyroid hormone, because too large a dose
\ncan cause serious side effects, although large doses may be necessary. The
\nstarting dose and the rate of increase are especially small in older people, who
\nare often most at risk of side effects. The dose is gradually increased until
\nthe levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the person\'s blood return to
\nnormal.
\n
\n
Homeopathy\n
\nArgentum nitricum is an excellent homeopathic remedy for people who are
\nextremely anxious. They are usually open, outgoing, talkative, and very
\nlikeable. They sometimes have so much mental energy pouring out that they find
\nit difficult to not say too much. They often have a very strong desire for
\nsweets and can have a terrible aggravation after ingesting them. They can have
\nconsiderable anticipatory anxiety, fears about their health, and often extreme
\nclaustrophobia, fear of elevators, bridges, high places, and corners.
\n
\n
Vitamin/Supplement Therapy\n
\nThe first way to combat low thyroid hormones is by avoiding goitrogenic foods
\nlike soybeans, peanuts, millet, turnips, cabbage and mustard. These foods block
\nthe thyroid from using iodine, an element vital for thyroid hormone production.
\n
\nKelp, for the mineral content, is very beneficial, especially the iodine, and
\ntyrosine, since T3 and T4 both are made from tyrosine.
\n
\nEveryone should take a basic multivitamin, including C, E, Vitamin D, Zinc, all
\nthe B Vitamins and beta-carotene for Vitamin A. Balanced minerals are crucial
\nfor proper function of the whole body and are also central to thyroid hormone
\nsynthesis.
\n
\nThyrolar provides both T3 and T4 hormones. Once the body begins to get normal
\namounts of these hormones, symptoms will disappear. After that, periodic blood
\ntests should be done to determine if the dosage is correct.
\n
\nFulvic Acid (not to be confused with folic acid - B vitamin) can prevent and
\ntreat thyroid disease including Hypothyroidism; Hyperthyroidism, Graves Diesease
\nand Wilson Syndrome, plus many other conditions. Outpatient medical
\nhospital studies on overactivethyroid had a 90.9% cure rate within a six month
\nperiod when patients were treated with fulvic acid medication (Yan, Shenyan;
\nTongren Hospital, Beijing: Fulvic Acid, 4 (1988).
\n
\nThyroid malfunction, both overactive and underactive, is generally due to
\nautoimmune response by the body generally caused by a build up of dangerous
\ntoxins, chlorinated substances, viruses, pathogens, infections, pesticides,
\naltered enzymes or hormones in the tissues of the thyroid gland.
\n
\n
Stress Relief:\n
\nJournaling can be a wonderful release as well as reflection on the events and
\nmoments in our lives. I have found it to be great therapy and can lend itself to
\ngreat expression without reservation. I suggested the patient start writing in a
\njournal. This took him 4 weeks to buy and another three weeks to finally write
\nin it.
\n
\nExercise: Regular exercise helps your body lower blood sugars, promotes weight
\nloss, reduces stress and enhances overall fitness.
\n
\nMeditation and visualization techniques are very helpful in order to see the big
\npicture, work on reducing Stress levels and calming the mind.
\n
\n
Traditional Chinese Medicine\n
\nA chronic lack of iodine in the diet is the most common cause of Hypothyroidism
\nin many developing countries. This is less evident in the United States because
\niodine is added to table salt; iodine is also present in dairy products. Some
\ncauses of Hypothyroidism include some inherited disorders or Kidney Jing
\ndeficiency in which essence from both parents is not strong during conception.
\nOther patterns include Qi Stagnation which leads to Blood Stasis, Blood
\nDeficiency or Phlegm patterns.
\n
\nTCM Patterns
\n
\nKidney Jing Deficiency
\n
\nSlow mental/physical development in children, late or incomplete fontanel
\nclosure in infants, poor skeletal development, brittle bones, soreness and
\nweakness of the lumbar region and knees, mental retardation, poor memory,
\npremature aging and senility, dizziness, deafness, tinnitus, low sex drive,
\ninfertility, premature graying and hair loss. Tongue varies (Deficient Yin or
\nYang) Usually yin is more deficient, and a red, peeled tongue is more evident.
\n
\nTreatment principle: Tonify kd jing and essence.
\n
\nAcupuncture treatment
\nPoints: Kd 3, 6, Ren 3,4 7, Ub 23, Sp 6, Ht 6
\n
\nFormula: Zuo Gui Yin
\n
\n
\nQi Stagnation
\n
\ndistention, distending pain that moves from place to place, hypochondrium pain,
\nepigastric pain, throat, abdomen discomfort, abdominal masses that appear and
\ndisappear, mental depression, irritability, frequent mood swings, frequent
\nsighing, high Stress levels and emotional issues. The pulse is thready, slow and
\nshort, entering and exiting with difficulty, knotted rapid with irregular beats.
\nTongue: can be normal with thin white coat or slightly purple.
\n
\nTreatment principle: tonify Qi
\n
\nAcupuncture treatment
\nPoints: Ren 2,3,4, 6, 17, Lv 2, 3, 13, 14, LI 4
\n
\nFormula: Chai Hu Shu Gan San
\n
\n
\nBlood Stasis
\n
\nAbdominal pain (fixed) with hardenings, hypochondriac pain (sharp, stabbing),
\nirritable, Indigestion, Constipation. Pulse: wiry ortaut and hesitant; Tongue:
\npurple with spots on the side.
\n
\nTreatment principle: move blood
\n
\nAcupuncture treatment
\nPoints: SP 10, Ub 17, Ren 17, Lv 3, LI 4
\n
\nFormula: Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
\n
\nBlood Deficiency
\n
\nPale complexion, pale lips, thin skin, dry, pale cracked skin, palpitations and
\nirritability, insomnia, poor memory, sensation in the chest, hiccups, sudden
\nloss of voice, convulsions, frequent sorrow without any obvious causes, abnormal
\njoy or rage, unreasonable suspicion or fear, thin white tongue or dry coating,
\nwiry and thin pulse.
\n
\nTreatment principle: tonify blood
\n
\nAcupuncture treatment
\nPoints: Sp 6, 8, 10, UB 17, ST 36, Ren 6
\n
\nFormula: Si Wu Tang
\n
\n
\nPhlegm
\n
\nPhlegm mainly arises from Spleen Deficiency as it fails to transform and
\ntransport body fluid. Lung and Kidney can also be involved if Lungs fail to
\ndisperse and lower fluids and if the kidneys fail to transform and excrete
\nfluids, they can then accumulate into Phlegm. There are 2 types: substantial,
\nwhich can be seen (phlegm), and non-substantial, which can\'t be seen (rheum).
\nExcessive consumption of greasy foods and/or cold and raw foods can contribute
\nto this condition.
\n
\nTreatment principle: clear and resolve phlegm
\n
\nAcupuncture treatment
\nPoints: Ren 22, ST 40, LI 4
\n
\nFormula: Ba Xin Tang
\n
\n
\nRESEARCH
\n
\nAcupuncture & Hypothyroidism
\n
\nAcupuncture has traditionally been successfully employed in China to treat most
\nillnesses and there is little doubt that acupuncture is an excellent therapy for
\npeople suffering with this condition. There are several studies suggesting that
\nacupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can be very helpful in the
\ntreatment of Hypothyroidism. For instance, in a study at the Shanghai Medical
\nUniversity in China, 32 patients with Hypothyroidism were treated over a period
\nof one year with a Chinese herbal preparation to stimulate the kidney meridian
\n(energy channel).
\n
\nThe results were compared with a control group of 34 people. At the end of the
\nstudy, the clinical symptoms of Hypothyroidism were reported to be markedly
\nimproved confirming that Hypothyroidism is closely related to deficiency of
\nkidney energy. (1)
\n
\n(1) Relation of Hypothyroidism and deficiency of kidney yang Zha LL, Inst. of
\nthe Integr. of TCM-WM Med., Shanghai Med. Univ. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho
\nTsa Chih (CHINA) Apr 1993, 13 (4) p202-4,195
\n
\nTraditional Chinese Medicine & Hypothyroidism
\n
\nTraditional Chinese herbal medicine has been shown to offer an effective
\nalternative treatment for people suffering from hypothyroidism (an
\nunder-functioning thyroid gland). In a study at the Shanghai Medical University
\nin China, 66 patients with hypothyroidism were monitored over a period of one
\nyear.
\n
\n32 patients were treated with a Chinese herbal preparation to stimulate the
\nkidney meridian (energy channel) and their results were compared with a control
\ngroup made up of the other 34 patients.At the end of the study, the clinical
\nsymptoms of hypothyroidism were reported to be markedly improved in the TCM
\ngroup confirming that Traditional Chinese herbal medicine can offer real help in
\nits treatment and suggesting that hypothyroidism is closely related to
\ndeficiency of kidney energy.
\n
\nRelation of Hypothyroidism and deficiency of kidney yang Zha LL, Inst. of the
\nIntegr. Of TCM-WM Med., Shanghai Med. Univ. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa
\nChih (CHINA) Apr 1993, 13 (4) p202-4,195
\n
\n
\n
\nAndrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
\n
https://www.peacefulmind.com\nTherapies for healing
\nmind, body, spirit
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nREFERENCES
\n
\n1. Kuang Ankun, Din Tin, et al., Clinical observation of hypo- and
\nhyper-thyroidism treated with traditional Chinese medicine and changes of plasma
\ncyclonucleotides, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1980, 21 (11).
\n2. Li Changdu and Li Peili, Treatment of Hypothyroidism with Chinese Herbs,
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\n3. Kuang An-kun, et al., The relationship between the therapeutic effect of TCM
\non primary Hypothyroidism and nuclear T3 receptors in lymphocytes, Chinese
\nJournal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine 1988, 8(11).
\n4. Chen MD, et al., Influence of Yang-restoring herb medicines upon metabolism
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\n5. Golden, R, Clinical experience at Guangzhou Hospital for Traditional Chinese
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\n6. Guo Xiaozong, et al., Acupuncture treatment of benign thyroid nodules:
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\n7. McCarty, M.F. Chromium and other Insulin sensitizers may enhance glucagon
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\n8. Mithieux, G. New data and concepts on glutamine and glucose metabolism in the
\ngut. Curr. Opin. Clin. Nutr. Metab. Care 2001 Jul; 4(4): 267-71.
\n9. Croset, M., Rajas, F., Zitoun, C., Hurot, J.M., Montano, S., Mithieux, G. Rat
\nsmall intestine is an Insulin-sensitive gluconeogenic organ. Diabetes 2001 Apr;
\n50(4): 740-6.
\n10. Geng, M.-Y. et al. Protective effects of pyridoxal phosphate against glucose
\ndeprivation- induced damage in cultured hippocampal neurons. J. Neurochem. 1997;
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\n11. Pearson, D., Shaw, S. Preventing Hypoglycemia. Anti-Aging News 1982 Jan;
\n2(1): 6-7. Ryder, J.W., Portocarrero, C.P., Song, X.M., Cui, L., Yu, M.,
\nCombatsiaris, T., Galuska, D., Bauman, D.E., Barbano, D.M., Charron, M.J.,
\nZierath, J.R., Houseknecht, K.L.
\n12. Isomer-specific antidiabetic properties of conjugated linoleic acid.
\nImproved glucose tolerance, skeletal muscle Insulin action, and UCP-2 gene
\nexpression. Diabetes 2001 May; 50(5): 1149-57.
\n13. Houseknecht, K.L., Vanden Heuvel, J.P., Moya-Camarena, S.Y., Portocarrero,
\nC.P., Peck, L.W., Nickel, K.P., Belury, M.A. Dietary conjugated linoleic acid
\nnormalizes impaired glucose tolerance in the Zucker Diabetic fatty fa/fa rat.
\nBiochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1998 Jun 29; 247(3): 911.
\n14. Stumvoll, M., Perriello, G., Meyer, C., Gerich, J. Role of glutamine in
\nhuman carbohydrate metabolism in kidney and other tissues. Kidney Int. 1999 Mar;
\n55(3): 778-92.
\n15. Utiger RD (2001). Hypothyroidism section of The thyroid: Physiology,
\nthyrotoxicosis, Hypothyroidism, and the painful thyroid chapter. In P Felig, L
\nFrohman, eds., Endocrinology and Metabolism, 4th ed., pp.315�329. New
\nYork: McGraw-Hill.
\n16. Larsen PR, et al. (1998). The thyroid gland. In JD Wilson et al., eds.,
\nWilliams Textbook of Endocrinology, 9th ed., pp. 389�515.
\nPhiladelphia: W.B. Saunders.Utiger RD (1999). Maternal Hypothyroidism and fetal
\ndevelopment. New England Journal of Medicine, 341(8): 601�602
\n17. Hershman JM, Singh N (2002). Hypothyroidism. In RE Rakel, DT Bope, eds.,
\nConn�s Current Therapy, pp. 646�648. Philadelphia: W.B.
\nSaunders.
\n18. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) (2001). Thyroid
\ndisease in Pregnancy (2001). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 32, 98(5):
\n879�888.
\n19. Ladenson PW, et al. (2000). American Thyroid Association guidelines for
\ndetection of thyroid dysfunction. Archives of Internal Medicine, 160:
\n1573�1575.
\n20. Singh N, et al. (2000). Effects of calcium carbonate on the absorption of
\nlevothyroxine. JAMA, 283(21): 2822�2825.\r\n
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