Category: Thyroid Disorders

Abstract

In today’s world, there are many disorders from which human kind is suffering. So this is the need of the hour, to get active about our physical and mental health. One of the trending disorders these days is thyroid related. It can be hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Both are troublesome. Thus it becomes important to set the levels of the thyroid hormone in limits. There is allopathic and ayurvedic management for the same. We shall discuss it in some detail.

Introduction

In the human body, there are many metabolic activities going on every second. So this needs to be maintained.  God has manufactured the human body with so much complexity. There are certain organs or glands that release or secrete hormones that are required for the well being of a person. One of them is thyroid gland, which secretes T3, T4, TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which are essential for normal body function. It has a certain limit for its normal secretion level. Above and below the normal value will cause some symptoms which hinders the overall functions of the human body. Thus it becomes important to keep these values in normal range. Let’s discuss!!

How can Thyroid be related to Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, doshas are the primary causes of health and disease. According to ayurveda, proper balance of vata, pitta and kapha results in a healthy mind, body and soul and imbalance or instability will result in some disease. Usually thyroid gland is related to Avtu/Chullika granthi which weighs around 20-30 grams. T3, which is known as Triiodothyronine which controls metabolism. T4, known as Thyroxine, responsible for body temperature, metabolism and mood.

All hormonal secretions are related to pitta. Ayurveda correlation about thyroid disorders can be made with kapha vitiation and pitta vitiation. As vitiated kapha blocks micro channels thus blockage leads to vata and pitta hindrance, which results in some disorder. This can be related with hypothyroidism. In another case, that is hyperthyroidism, pitta dosha dominates, which leads to over secretion of hormones, thus causing fast metabolism.

Normal Functions of Thyroid Hormones

• It is required for growth.
• It regulates metabolism at a regular pace.
• It regulates enzyme synthesis and catabolism of the same.
• It regulates blood sugar levels by affecting the liver.
• Hormone thyroxine stimulates protein synthesis and catabolism.
• Hormone thyroxine excrete excessive calcium by urine.
• It regulates the normal rhythm of the heart.
• In infants, it is required for proper growth of the nervous system.
• It is needed in proper growth and ossification of the bone.
• It is required for a proper menstrual cycle in women.

Hyperthyroidism

Increased secretion of the thyroid hormones leads to hyperthyroidism. It is five times more found in females. It affects all the systems in the body. It manifests itself with a number of symptoms. Grave’s disease, goitre and thyroiditis are some basic reasons for hyperthyroidism. There are some medications that result in hyperthyroidism too.
In ayurveda, pitta dosha imbalance can cause hyperthyroidism. Increased pitta dosha leads to increased digestive fire. That further increases metabolism (dhatu agni and bhutagni are increased). Increased agni leads to dhatu paka at a fast rate, which ultimately results in emaciation. It leads to weight loss but digestive fire remains unchanged or increased.

Signs & Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

• Nodular goitre
• Weight loss despite normal/increased appetite
• Excessive defecation
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Exophthalmos
• Foreign body sensation in eyes
• Thirst
• Palpitations and sinus tachycardia
• Increased pulse pressure
• Ankle edema (without cardiac condition)
• Angina
• Dyspnoea on exertion
• Dyspnea, irritability, emotional conflicts
• Psychosis , anxiety
• Heat intolerance, sweating
• Lid lag
• Fatigue
• Osteoporosis
• Apathy
• Loss of libido, impotence
• Excessive lacrimation
• Muscle weakness
• Pruritus
• Alopecia
• Gynaecomastia
• Infertility, spontaneous abortion
• Amenorrhoea/oligomenorrhoea

Investigation

• Thyroid function test, T3 and T4 are both elevated but T4 is in the upper part of the normal range and T3 is raised in 5%.
• Isotope scanning.
• ECG demonstrated sinus tachycardia or atrial fibrillation.
• Serum alanine aminotransferase, y-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase from liver and bone are raised.
• Raised bilirubin.
• Mild hypocalcemia.
• Glycosuria.

Treatment of Hyperthyroidism

In the modern system of medicine, Thionamides are used like Carbimazole and Propylthiouracil. Beta blockers are used. Radioactive iodine is used. Thyroidectomy is considered in some cases.

Herbal Management

There are herbs that can be used in hyperthyroid conditions. Shankhpushpi helps in alleviating  symptoms. Amalaki is effective in controlling both t3 and t4 levels. Shirish is helpful in maintaining levels of T3 and T4. Fenugreek acts as a miracle and particularly in balancing T3 levels.

Hyperthyroid Care Pack by Planet Ayurveda

Planet ayurveda is a GMP certified herbal manufacturing unit which provides lots of herbal formulations for numerous health disorders. For hyperthyroidism they  provide hyperthyroid care pack which  includes following herbal formulations:

1. Immune Booster
2. Weight Gain Formula
3. Shatavari Capsules

Product’s Description

1. Immune Booster

As the name suggests, it helps in elevating immunity that is required to fight infections, moreover it has herbs which provide many health benefits. It has Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri) and bovine colostrum. All the ingredients help in maintaining good health. Amalaki is used in various disorders but also maintains T3 and T4 levels. Bhumi amla is great for the liver thus maintaining digestion. Bovine colostrum is rich in nutrients. Draksha pacifies pitta dosha thus helpful in hyperthyroidism. Hence immune booster is helpful in curing hyperthyroidism.

Dosage :2 capsules twice daily with warm water after meals.

2. Weight Gain Formula

Prepared with many weight gaining herbs, this formula is going to help in gaining weight who are looking to look fit into some bigger sizes and are not achieving the weight goals. The weight gain formula has Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Triphala, Pippali (Piper longum) etc. All the ingredients are tridosha balancing. Hence helpful in promoting well being. Also helps in weight gaining.

Dosage : 2 capsules twice daily with warm water after meals.

3. Shatavari Capsules

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is useful in brain issues like memory related problems. It relaxes the mind. It is beneficial in reproduction related issues. It has good results in infertility problems. It is also useful in oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea. Thus it is helpful in providing relief in symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Dosage :  2 capsules twice daily with warm water after meals.

So we have seen how Hyperthyroid care pack is helpful in curing hyperthyroidism. Thus prolonged use of the same can totally terminate the hyperthyroid condition.

Hypothyroidism

Improper functioning of the thyroid gland leads to hypothyroidism. The vast majority of cases of hypothyroidism are due to an intrinsic disorder of the thyroid gland (primary hypothyroidism). T4 levels decrease from the normal limit. And TSH levels are raised in this condition. Women are affected approximately sex times more than men.

Causes of Hypothyroidism

• Autoimmune Cause – Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Spontaneous atrophic hypothyroidism.
• Iatrogenic – Radioactive iodine ablation, thyroidectomy.
• Drugs – carbimazole, methimazole, propylthiouracil Amiodarone Lithium.
• Transient thyroiditis – subacute thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis.
• Iodine deficiency – in mountainous regions.
• Congenital – dyshormonogenesis, thyroid aplasia.
• Infiltrative – amyloidosis, riedel’s thyroiditis, sarcoidosis etc

It can lead to Cretinism (infants) and Myxoedema (in adults).

Signs & Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

• Weight Gain
• Cold intolerance
• Fatigue, somnolence
• Dry skin
• Dry Hair
• Menorrhagia
• Constipation
• Hoarse voice
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Alopecia
• Aches and pains
• Muscle stiffness
• Deafness
• Depression
• Infertility
• Periorbital edema/myxedema
• Anaemia
• Bradycardia
• Myxedema madness
• Galactorrhea
• Impotence etc

Investigations

• Serum T4 is low and TSH is elevated.
• Serum enzymes raise creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
• Hypercholesterolaemia
• Anaemia (normocytic or  macrocytic)
• Hyponatremia
• ECG shows sinus bradycardia with low voltage complexes and ST segment and T wave abnormalities.

Treatment of Hypothyroidism

In allopathic medicine, Levothyroxine is used. In Ayurveda, there are various herbs that can help in achieving the goal to cure hypothyroidism. Herbs include Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) etc.

According to Ayurveda, Hypothyroidism is due to kapha dosha vitiation. Hence it can be treated with pitta elevating drugs that elevates digestion and cleanse blocked channels that results in activating metabolism that leads to proper secretions from the endocrine glands.

Hyporthyroid Care Pack by Planet Ayurveda

Planet ayurveda is a GMP certified herbal manufacturing unit which provides lots of herbal formulations for numerous health disorders. For hypothyroidism they provide hypothyroid care pack which  includes following herbal formulations:

1. Gotukola Capsules
2. Chandraprabha Vati
3. Guggulipid Capsules
4. Hakam Churna

Product’s Description

1. Gotukola Capsules

Gotukola (Centella asiatica) is known to be a stress reliever. And also helps in anxiety disorder. It enhances cognitive function thus acts as a brain tonic. It also helps in depression. It detoxifies the body. Thus it is beneficial in mind related hypothyroidism symptoms.

Dosage: 1-2 Capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

2. Chandraprabha Vati

It is a blend of so many herbs, which are enriched with so many healthy ingredients. That it is indicated in various disorders. It is indicated in the reproductive and urinary system. It has Guggulu (Comiphora mukul), Karpoor (Cinnamomum camphora), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Shilajit (Asphaltum), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) etc. it is thus used in hypothyroidism related infertility.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice or thrice daily with lukewarm water after meals.

3. Guggulipid Capsules

It is the formulation best for endocrine health, heart health and blood disorders. It acts on the endocrine system thus keeping it under normal values. It has Guggulu resin (Camiphora mukul), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Bhumi amalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum) etc.

Dosage: 1-2 Capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

4. Hakam Churna

It is blended with the herbs that maintain metabolic health. Thus also is beneficial in hypothyroidism as it stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete hormones. Further it aids the digestive health results in increased digestive fire. Thus beneficial in indigestion. It includes Kalonji (Nigella sativa),Methi (Trigonella foenum graecum), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) etc.

Dosage: Take 3-5 gm of powder with hot water twice daily after meals.

Conclusion

So from the above discussion, it is clear that due to improper diet and deeds, the doshas get vitiated, thus hampering proper secretions from the various glands. The most commonly affected gland is the thyroid gland. In the modern system of medicine, there are drugs that are needed to be consumed regularly. Whereas in Ayurveda, drugs act on the basis of imbalanced doshas. Thus as soon as the doshas get into the normal range (balanced), symptoms of the thyroid dysfunction get diminished and ultimately vanished. Planet Ayurveda’s Hyperthyroid Care Pack and Hypothyroid Care Pack are enriched in those herbs that focus on the imbalance dosha. And rectify the vitiated doshas to achieve a life free from endocrine abnormalities. For more detail of our products check out our website www.PlanetAyurveda.com and for queries you can send your queries to our email id herbalremedies123@yahoo.com