The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that controls your metabolism, regulation of your weight, energy levels, internal temperature, skin, hair, nail growth, and more. The two hormones created by the thyroid are T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) govern many functions in the body such as telling the body’s cells how much energy to use. An overactive or under active thyroid can lead to a wide range of health problems.

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An underactive thyroid is called Hypothyroidism – it is the most common thyroid disorder. It means your thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone.

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Main symptoms of hypothyroidism are:

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• Unexplained weight gain that’s hard to lose

• Constipation

• Low mood or depression

• Fatigue

• Dry skin

• Brittle fingernails and hair

• Sensitivity to cold

• Joint pain.

 

What causes it?

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Hashimoto disease, also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is the most common cause. It is an autoimmune disease - your immune system, which normally protects your body and helps fight disease, produces antibodies which attack the thyroid gland. The damaged thyroid gland is no longer able to make enough thyroid hormone and this results in hypothyroidism - where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body's needs.

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Anyone can develop Hashimoto disease, but it occurs more often in women and those with a family history of thyroid disease. It also occurs more often as people age. People with other autoimmune disorders are more likely to develop Hashimoto disease. The hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto disease progresses slowly over months to years. Its symptoms vary from person to person.

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What are the Symptoms of Hashimoto’s

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• Enlarged thyroid (or goitre)

• Intolerance to cold

• Mild weight gain

• Fatigue

• Constipation

• Dry skin

• Hair loss

• Heavy and irregular menses

• Infertility or miscarriage

• Difficulty concentrating or thinking

• Decreased libido 

 

Pregnancy can sometimes be a trigger for hypothyroidism witht developing during or after pregnancy. People who have hyperthyroidism (underactive thyroid) are sometimes treated with radioactive iodine therapy, which impairs thyroid function and can lead to hypothyroidism.

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A blood test is used by Doctors to diagnose hypothyroidism – if the blood test results are normal but you still have the symptoms, they can check for free T4 – a thyroid hormone – in your body. The anti-thyroid peroxidise test can find out whether your hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

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Sometimes though we find that someone can having nothing show up on their test results with their GP, yet they have the symptoms – we choose an appropriate Homeopathic remedy for their Symptoms and to support their thyroid and their symptoms resolve, they become well. So the test results may not be that indicative of whether your thyroid is suffering.

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Once diagnosed you will be advised to take medication – such as thyroxine or maybe you have been taking it for a while. There is another way - here at The Hormone Clinic we have seen good results with homeopathic Medicines. This involves a consultation – where your full health history will be taken and an individually chosen homeopathic remedy specific to your presentation of symptoms will be chosen.  You will take the remedy daily and your progress monitored at follow up appointments. If you are already on conventional thyroid medication – you can still take the homeopathic remedy alongside conventional medicine, as things improve in consultation with your doctor, you can reduce the amount of conventional medication you are taking, hopefully ceasing completely when appropriate. With homeopathic medicine – you do not need to take it indefinitely – when your body is back in balance – you can discontinue its use as well after consultation with us.

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Here are some important homeopathic remedies for hypothyroidism:

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It is important to see a practitioner rather than self-prescribing – as you need the correct remedy, strength and dosage.

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Calc Carb – tend be always chilly and cannot tolerate cold air. Often overweight. Excessive sweating on head is a leading feature for its use in hypothyroid patients.  Constipation where often the first part of stool is hard and followed by soft stool. This medicine proves to be very effective in women with hypothyroidism who also suffer from very heavy periods that continue for long time. Coldness of feet is always present during the menstrual period.

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Graphites - mainly used for people with hypothyroidism who are obese and take cold very easily. Long standing constipation where the stool is hard and passes with great difficulty in lumps can be treated with this medicine. Fullness in abdomen due to obstruction of flatulence and a desire to loosen the clothing to get relief. Can be sad or depressed. Maybe timid and with an inability to take decisions.

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Lycopodium – This homeopathic medicine is mainly prescribed to people with hypothyroidism who also suffer from digestive troubles. There is excessive flatulence in the abdomen with acidity. 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 often yellowish face and blue circles around the eyes. Excessive hair falling. Often very irritable nature and cannot bear contradiction.

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Nux Vomica - is a wonderful homeopathic remedy mainly prescribed to people with hypothyroidism who are very irritable and get offended very easily; such people are very sensitive to all external impressions. Obstinate constipation, the stool is insufficient and unsatisfactory, the person feels a frequent urge to pass stool but with little evacuation. Bloated feeling in the stomach after eating. There can be an excessive desire for stimulants like alcoholic drinks and coffee; fatty food and spicy food. They are very chilly. May have prolonged periods where the menstrual blood is blackish and can be accompanied by fainting spells.

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 Sepia – They often feel excessively chilly even in a warm room. The menstrual complaints are often accompanied by bearing down sensations in pelvis where the patient feels as if the pelvic organs will come out. Sepia is also prescribed for controlling excessive hair fall out due to hypothyroidism, especially in women of menopausal age. People requiring this medicine often have very hard and difficult stools that are passed in small balls with excessive pain. Often have extreme irritability and indifferent behaviour towards family members. An unusual excessive craving for acidic things can also be present.