Thyroid Disorder - How Ayurvedic Remedies Can Help Treat It?

Thyroid disorders are one of the leading lifestyle disorders. As per the survey 12% of Indian population is suffering from the thyroid disorders.

What are thyroid disorders :-

Thyroid is butterfly shaped gland located in the front of the neck below the Adam’s Apple. Which produces thyroid hormones which maintain body metabolism and these hormones are very important for normal development, maintaining normal sexual function sleep and thought pattern.

So any physiological or functional variation in normal thyroid gland can termed as thyroid disorders.

Types :

1. Hypothyroidism
2. Hyperthyroidism
3. Goitre
4. Thyroditis
5. Thyroid cancer
6. Thyroid nodule

Amongs which Hypothyroid, Hyperthyroid Goitre are the Commorest one.

Normal Function of Thyroid Gland

Thyroid gland produces/ secretes two hormones T3 and T4 which control body metabolism these hormones regulate following functions

1. Breathing - Body Temp
2. Heart rate - cholesterol level
3. CNS & PNS
4. Body weight
5. Muscle Strength

Hence any disturbance in these two hormones result into complaints related to multiple system.

The blood levels of T3 and T4 are maintained or monitored by TSH hormone secreted by pituitary gland. When T3 g T4 are low in the blood pituitary gland releases and vice versa.

Normal values of T3, T4, TSH

T3 80 – 200 ng/dl

T4 4 -5 -11 - 7 mcg/dl

TSH 03 – IU/ml

Hypothyroid

Also called underactive thyroid/low thyroid is a condition in which thyroid gland does not produces enough thyroid hormone and raised TSH hormone.

Hypothyroidism is more common is woman than male. A larger proportion have subclinical hypothyroidism.

Causes :-

1. Iodine deficiency
2. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis ( autoimmune condition ).
3. Radio active iodine
4. Injury to hypothalamus
5. Lack of thyroid functioning

Symptoms :-

As per Ayurvedic

As per Ayurvedic diagnosis this can be explained on the basis of agni dysfunctioning.

Hypofunctioning of Jatharagni i.e mandagni in turn affects dhatvagni eventually brings out pathological sequence and ultimately the diseased condition develops according to acharya vagbhat this condition is kapha predominant due to margawraodh and predominanrtly rasa,meda, mamsa strotodushti can be seen whose symptoms are similar to that of hypothyroid condition .

Treatment

Hormonal supplements

1. Ayurvedic Medicine
2. Panchakarma procedures
3. Yoga
4. Ahar

In this condition panchakarma procedures like vaman i.e therapeutic emesis and nasya i.e nasal drops plays important role in improving gland functioning.

Ayurvedic medications helps to get rid of all symptoms and improve the status of jatharagni & eventually dhatvagni.

Yoga and ahar plays important role along with medication and panchakarma .

Hyperthyroid

This condition occurs due to excessive production of thyroid hormone by thyroid gland and decreased level of TSH.

Hyperthyroid condition is rare as compared to hypothyroid.

Causes :

1. Thyroiditis
2. Autoimmunity – Graves disease
3. Over consumption of supplemental hormone
4. Anti arrhythmic drugs
5. Excessive lodine consumption

Symptoms :

As per Ayurveda

Though this condition is not explained directly in ayurvedic test it can be co-relate with agni dysfunctioning.

Hyperfunctioning ( i.e teekshnagni ) of jatharagni in trun affects dhatuagni even tually brings out pathological sequence & ultimately the diseased condition develops. Over/hyper functioning of agni give rise to increased metabolism resulting into symptoms which are commonly seen in hyperthyroidism.

Rx

1. Virechan
2. Nasya
3. Internal Medicine
4. Ahar
5. Yoga

Goitre :- ( गलगंड )

A goitre is a swelling in the neck resulting from an enlargement of thyroid gland.

90% of goitre cases are caused by iodine deficiency A goitre can be associated with dysfunctioning of thyroid gland.

In Ayurveda this condition is explained as 'galaganda'.

Treatment

1. Panchakarma: Vaman,Jaloukavacharan
2. Medicines: Kanchanar guggulu,Gandamalakandan rasa etc.
3. Diet:
   • Use of saindhav namak instead of iodised salt
   • Avoid cabbage, coliflower, soyabeans ,curd, spinach etc.