Thyroid disorder and their Homeopathic management

          Thyroid disorder and their Homeopathic                                    management

 Thyroid disorders are a condition that affects the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. The thyroid has important roles to regulate numerous metabolic processes throughout the body. Different types of thyroid disorders affect either its structure or function. 

 The thyroid is one of the body's most important glands. Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common clinical condition seen frequently. Thyroid function influences energy formation, circulation, immune function, the metabolism of all the organs, blood sugar regulation, emotional stability, and hormonal balance. The thyroid controls the overall metabolic rate of the body, hence imbalance of thyroid hormones can have an intense effect on an individual's energy levels. Sometimes the disturbances are very and easily diagnosed. Often though, they can be rather delicate and easily overlooked. 

 The function of the thyroid gland is regulated by a feedback mechanism involving the brain. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the hypothalamus in the brain produces a hormone known as thyrotropin releasing hormone(TRH) that causes the pituitary gland (located at the base of the brain) to release thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH). TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to release more T4. Since the thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, disorders or these tissues can also affect thyroid function and cause thyroid problems. 

 Specific kinds of Thyroid Disorders: 

 There are the specific kinds of thyroid disorders: 

. Hypothyroidism
. Hyperthyroidism
. Goiter
. Thyroid Nodules
. Thyroid cancer

Thyroid Disease: 

 Thyroid disease is a common problem that can cause symptoms because of over or under-function of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is an essential organ for producing thyroid hormones, which maintain body metabolism. The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck. Thyroid disease can also sometimes lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck, which can cause symptoms that are directly related to the increase in the size of the organ (such as difficulty swallowing and discomfort in front of the neck). 

Hypothyroidism:

 Hypothyroidism results from the thyroid gland producing an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone. It can develop from problems within the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus. Symptoms of hypothyroidism  include: 
. Fatigue, Dry skin
. Poor concentration or feeling mentally"foggy"
. Constipation
. Feeling cold
. Fluid retention
. Muscles and joint aches
. Depression
. Prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding in women. 

Some common causes if hypothyroidism includes: 

. Hashimoto's thyroiditis(an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the thyroid gland)
. Thyroid hormones resistance
. Other types of thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid), such as acute thyroiditis and postpartum thyroiditis. 

Hyperthyroidism:

 Hyperthyroidism describes the excessive production of thyroid hormone, a less common condition than hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism usually relate to increased metabolism. In mild cases, there may not be apparent symptoms. Symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism can include. 

. Tremor
. Nervousness
. Fast heart rate
. Fatigue
. Intolerance in bowel movements
. Increase sweating
. Concentration problems
. Unintentional weight loss.

Some of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism:

. Grave's disease
. Toxic multinodular goiter
. Thyroid nodules that overexpress thyroid hormone(known as hot nodules)
. Excessive iodine consumption. 

Goiter: 

 A goiter simply describes an enlargement of the thyroid gland, regardless of cause. A goiter is not a specific disease per se. A goiter may be associated with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or normal thyroid function. 

Thyroid Nodules: 

 Nodules are limps or abnormal masses of the thyroid. Nodules can be caused by benign cysts, benign tumors, or less commonly by cancers of the thyroid. Nodules may be single or multiple and can vary in size. If nodules are excessively large, they may cause symptoms related to compression of nearby structures. 

Thyroid Cancer:

 Thyroid cancer is far more common among adult women than men or youth, about 2/3 of cases occur in people under age 55. There are different kinds of thyroid cancer, depending upon the specific cell type within the thyroid that has become cancerous. Most cases of thyroid cancer have a good prognosis and high survival rate, especially when diagnosis in its early stages.

How are thyroid disorders diagnosed?

 In addition to thorough medical history and physical exam, specialized tests are used to diagnose thyroid disorders. 

Blood tests are typically done to measure levels of thyroid hormones and TSH. Blood tests to identify antibodies against thyroid tissue may also be ordered by your doctors, such as titers of anti-thyroglobulin, anti-thyroperoxidase, or TSH receptor stimulating antibodies. 

 Imaging tests are commonly used when thyroid nodules or enlargement are present. Ultrasound can visualize the consistency of the tissue within the gland and can often reveal cysts or calcification. Ultrasound examination cannot distinguish a benign from a malignant process. 

Thyroid scans using radioactive iodine are often performed to evaluate the function of thyroid nodules. The thyroid is the only location un the body that takes up iodine, so when radioactively labeled iodine is given, it is taken up by the thyroid gland. An imaging test typically shows uptake of radioactive iodine by normal thyroid tissue. Areas or nodules that are producing the excess hormone (referred to as hyperfunctioning) will show an increased uptake of iodine by normal thyroid tissue. These are referred to as "hot" nodules or areas. By contrast, so-called cold nodules represent areas with decreased iodine uptake. "Cold" nodules do not produce excess hormone and can sometimes represent cancer. Fine needle aspiration and biopsy are techniques that remove a sample of cell or tissue from the thyroid gland for examination and diagnosis by a pathologist, who is a physician trained in the diagnosis of condition based on tissue samples. 

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) uses a long, thin needle to withdraw a sample of cells from thyroid. FNA can be performed in the doctor's office. Sometimes, ultrasound imaging is used to guide the FNA  procedure. A biopsy is the surgical sampling of a tissue. 

Thyroid Medications: 

 Medications can be given to replace the missing thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism. Synthetic thyroid hormone is given in pill form by mouth. When hyperthyroidism is present, medications can be used to decrease the production of thyroid hormone or prevent its release from the gland. Other medications can be given to help manage the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as increased heart rate if hyperthyroidism is not controlled with medications, radioactive ablation can be performed. Ablation involves giving doses of iodine labeled with radioactivity that selectively destroys the thyroid tissue. 

Thyroid Surgery: 

 Surgery can be used to remove a large goiter or hyperfunctioning nodules within the gland. Surgery is necessary when there is a possibility of thyroid cancer. If the thyroid gland is removed entirely, the individual will need to take synthetic thyroid hormone for life. Thyroid surgery can also be used in Grave's Disease (subtotal thyroidectomy) and was the treatment of choice prior to RAI therapy and anti-thyroid medication it is not used much now. 

The outlook for thyroid disorders?

 In most cases, thyroid disorders can be well managed with medical treatment and are not life threating. Some conditions may require surgery. The outlook for most people with thyroid cancer is also good, although patients with thyroid cancer that has spread throughout the body have a poorer prognosis. 

Thyroid disorders symptoms: 

 Thyroids disease is a common problem that can cause symptoms because of over-or producing thyroid hormones, which maintain body metabolism. The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck. Thyroid disease can also sometimes lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck, which can cause symptoms that are directly related to the increase in the size of the organ (such as difficulty swallowing and discomfort in front of the neck). 

Symptoms of the thyroid problems: 

 Just as the types of thyroid conditions can vary, so can the symptoms of thyroid problems. Common symptoms of thyroid disease: 

. Nervousness and termor: These symptoms, along with agitation, can singles an over function of the thyroid gland(hyperthyroidism).
. Mental fogginess and poor concentration: Mental functioning can be affected by both hyperthyroidism(elevated levels of thyroid hormones) and hypothyroidism(too low levels of thyroid hormones). While sluggishness and depressed mood are often associated with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism can also lead to a reduced capacity for concentration. 
. Menstrual changes: Hypothyroidism is something associated with excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding, while hyperthyroidism can be characterized by scanty or reduced menstrual flow. 
. Feeling bloated: Fluid retention is often a sign of an underactive thyroid gland. 
. Racing heartbeat: An increased heart rate(tachycardia)
. Aches and pains: Muscle aches and pain can accompany different types of thyroid problems. 
. Weight gain: A modest amount of weight gain often accompanies conditions in which thyroid gland activity is lower than normal.
. High cholesterol levels: An increase in blood cholesterol levels can occur in individuals with hypothyroidism. 
. Heat intolerance: People with an overactive thyroid gland often complain of intolerance to higher temperatures. 
. Feeling cold: Conversely, those with an under-functioning thyroid may feel constantly cold. 

Homeopathic Approach to thyroid problems: 

 Homeopathy considers a disease to result from emotional distress and frustration, which blocks the life force energy into various different organs. Homeopathy considers thyroid problem as one such autoimmune glandular dysfunction. Homeopathy offers a better chance of a cure since the treatment is based on the person's  individual constituents of the thyroid. Conventional treatment of thyroid dysfunction relies mainly on drugs and surgery, whereas homeopathic treatment of thyroid improves the function of the thyroid gland through natural means. Homeopathic remedies work by stimulating the body's own healing power. Homeopathic remedies stimulating the body to reactive the hormone secretions, replenish and restore the thyroid tissue through the pituitary and other glands as a whole allowing the body to heal itself. 

Thus, homeopathic remedies will help boost your energy, improve circulation, and sooth metabolism by balancing"hypo" or "hypo" thyroid function. To conclude, homeopathy heals by finding and curing the roots of the disease. It has a cleansing effect and stimulates thyroid activity by implementing a general regulating influence on the thyroid. Hence, for a safe, natural, effective, and long-lasting answer to your thyroid problems, consider homeopathy. 

Homeopathic remedies for Hypothyroidism: 

Calcarea Carb: 

  Homeopathic medicine Calc-Carb assumes the topmost position in homeopathy for treating hypothyroid cases. It is one of the best remedies for hypothyroidism. It uses is highly recommended for obese people who are always chilly and cannot tolerate cold air. The patient requiring this medicine is fair complex, fatty and flabby. Excessive sweating on the head is a leading feature for its use in a hypothyroid patient. Certain peculiarities in eating habits like craving for boiled eggs, desire for indigestible things like chalk, pencil, lime, and aversion to taking fats also guide towards its use in patients with hypothyroidism. This homeopathic medicine for hypothyroidism can also help in relieving constipation in hypothyroid patients the peculiar feature is that the first part of stool is hard and is followed by soft stool. 
  This medicine proves to be very efficacious in women with hypothyroidism who duffer from very profuse menses that continue for long durations and occur earlier than the expected date. 

Sepia: 

  Sepia officinalis is also a significant homeopathic medicine for treating the hypothyroid patients. The patients requiring this medicine are very weak, have a pale yellow face and faint very easily especially on exposure to excessive cold temperature. Such patients lack vital heat of the body and feel excessively chilly even in a warm room. This medicine can help in treating the menstrual complaints in patients with hypothyroidism where the menses appear too early and are copious in nature. The menstrual complaints are always accompanied by bearing down sensations in the pelvis where the patient feels as if the pelvic organs will come out through the vulva and always sit with cross legs to prevent the escape. Constipation in hypothyroid patients. The patients requiring this medicine complain of very hard and difficult stool that is passed in small balls with excessive pain during the passing the stool process that continues for a long time after the stool. The mental symptoms that are to be considered for its use in the hypothyroid patient are extreme irritability and indifferent behavior towards family members who were earlier very much loved. 

Lycopodium Clavatum: 

 This is an excellent homeopathic thyroid remedy. This homeopathic medicine is mainly prescribed to those patients with hypothyroidism who suffer from gastric troubles. There is excessive flatulence in the abdomen with acidity that is mainly worse after taking farinaceous food. The complaints are mainly worse from 4 to 8. There is constipation with difficult, hard, incomplete stool. The person craves hot drinks and hot food, craving for sweets may also be found. The person is very weak with yellowish face and blue circles around eyes. The excessive hair falling on a hypothyroid person can be wonderful tackled with this medicine use. 

Graphites: 

 Graphities is mainly used for those patients with hypothyroidism who very obese and take on cold very easily. Long-Standing constipation where the stool is hard and passes with great difficulty in lumps can be treated with this medicine. Such patients also complain of fullness in the abdomen due to obstruction of flutes and desire to loosen the clothing to get relief. Mentally the patient is very depressed, sad and weeps easily on listening to music. Timidity and inability to take decisions may also be present. 

Nux- Vomica: 

 Nux-vomica is a wonderful homeopathic remedy mainly prescribed for those patients od hypothyroidism who are extremely temperamental by nature and get offended very easily, such people are very sensitive to all external impressions. This medicine works wonderfully in treating obstinate constipation in hypothyroid patients. The stool is scanty and unsatisfactory where the patient feels constant urge to pass stool but with the little evacuation. Bloated feeling in the stomach after eating is also present. There is an excessive desire for stimulants like alcoholic drinks and coffee; fatty food and spicy food. A patient is very chilly. This medicine can also help those women with hypothyroidism who complain of prolonged menses where the menstrual blood is blackish and accompanied by fainting spells. 

Medicines for Hyperthyroidism: 

Iodium: 

 Iodium is one of the best natural homeopathy medicines for treating hyperthyroidism. This homeopathic remedy is mainly prescribed for patients if hyperthyroidism who lose weight quickly despite having a good appetite. Such patients need something to eat at very short intervals and always feel better while eating. Feeling the excessive heat in the body and wanting to stay in a cool environment are the other symptoms. Mentally the person is very anxious about present issues and not about future. 

Natrum Muriaticum: 

 Nat-Mur is a natural homeopathic medicine used for treating hyperthyroidism mainly for patients who are irritated very easily and get upset over little things. Ths person remains depressed with weeping when alone and it always gets aggravated when someone tries to console. The persons requiring this medicine feel very hot and cannot bear the heat of the sun. They suffer from severe headaches when exposed to the sun. An unusual craving for salt in excess is always in a person who is recommended this homeopathic medicine. Another important symptom guiding towards using the homeopathic remedy. Nat-Mur is when a hyperthyroid patient keeps on losing weight despite having regular and proper meals. The person looks very weak, especially around the neck region. The patients feel very weak especially in the morning when in bed. The heart rate always remains on the higher side. This natural homeopathic medicine can also help in regularising the menstrual cycle in women with hyperthyroidism whose menses remain suppressed for too long. 

Lachesis: 

 Homeopathic medicine Lachesis is of great help for patients if hyperthyroidism who suffer from the sensation of the body feeling extremely hot. Such patients cannot wear tight clothes and always keep their collar around the neck and the belt around the waist loose. For the prescription of this natural homeopathic medicine, the mental symptoms that are usually considered are sadness with an aversion to doing any kind of work. The person does not wish to mix up and wants to go somewhere alone. Excessive talkativeness is a leading mind symptom for the use of homeopathic medicine Lachesis. It is also the homeopathic remedy for women of menopause age suffering from hyperthyroidism. The women complain of excessive hot flushes and palpitations. The menstrual flow is very less and the duration is also short. Feeling of wellness during menses is an important feature for its use in women. Another leading feature is a complaint of pounding of heart or palpitation with episodes of fainting.

Phosphorus: 

 Phosphorus is another top natural homeopathic medicine for treatment for hyperthyroidism. This homeopathic remedy is of great help for all tall and thin patients who are very sensitive to external impressions like touch, odor, light. This homeopathic medicine can be used for treating longstanding diarrhea in patients with hyperthyroidism. The patient complains of very profuse and offensive stool with the weakness of extreme degree. The appetite of such person increases and they feel hungry immediately after eating. Another sphere where this medicine proves to be useful in patients with hyperthyroidism is in controlling excessive hair fall where the patient complains of falling of hair in bunches. Certain peculiar eating habits also give a hint in using this medicine in hyperthyroid patients like a craving for meat, salty things, cold drinks, and ice creams. 

Conium Maculatum: 

 Conium Maculatum is a very beneficial natural homeopathy remedy for patients with hyperthyroidism who are very depressed and do not take any interest in work. The patient gets irritated easily and suffers from the weakness of memory. This homeopathic medicine works well for patients who experience trembling in hands along with perspiration on hands. Conium Maculatum is also a useful homeopathic cure for perspiration problems faced by women due to hyperthyroidism where the menses appear late and that too for a short time and are very scanty in nature.