Hyperthyroidism
The three main types of hyperthyroidism are Grave’s disease, thyroid multinodular goiter, and toxic adenoma.
Graves’ Disease [B]
The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy TSH receptors. Ophthalmopathy and pre-tibial myxedema are found in this condition. Graves’ disease patients, as well as all hyperthyroid patients, can develop eyelid retraction and a distinctive stare. However, true ophthalmopathy is unique to Graves’ disease and its proposed etiology is due to thyroid antibodies that cross-react with antigens in fibroblasts and adipocytes posterior to the eye.
Toxic Multinodular Goiter [B]
Toxic multinodular goiter develops autonomic function and secretes thyroid hormone within the nodules.
Toxic Adenoma [B]
Toxic adenoma presents itself with a benign tumor that leads to excessive activation of TSH receptors. Rare cases of hyperthyroidism are TSH pituitary adenomas.
Conventional Medical Treatment [SH]
Conventional treatment of hyperthyroidism includes propylthiouracil (PTU), radioiodine (RAI), and surgery. PTU blocks conversion of T4 to T3. RAI and is the conventional treatment of choice for Graves’ disease. Patients treated with radioactive iodine will no longer be hyperthyroid, but usually be hypothyroid for life.
Naturopathic Medical Treatment and Prevention [SH]
Hyperthyroidism, if not an immediate medical emergency, can often be successfully treated with a naturopathic approach. Patients treated effectively with natural medicine will have their thyroid restored to health, not partially destroyed by conventional radioactive treatment. For this reason, a naturopathic approach should almost always be tried first.
Botanical Medicine [C]
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca): In the Middle Ages, motherwort was a remedy of choice for nervousness due to emotional excitement. The alkaloids in motherwort, specifically leonurine, act as a central nervous depressant and hypotensive. It is recommended as an adjuvant therapy for hyperthyroidism.5
Bugleweed (Lycopus virginacus): This herb is used as a vascular sedative, especially indicated for a rapid pulse with a weak heart. It usually takes one week for effect. Pharmacology studies have shown that it cancels out gonadotropin hormone effect on anterior pituitary in animal studies.. Diverse effects on the pituitary thyroidal system as well as on the pituitary gonadal system have been confirmed . In one animal study there was a pronounced decrease in t4 ,t3 and TSH levels within 24 hours It inhibits iodine metabolism, inhibits release of thyroxine from the thyroid, decreases pulse rate, and decreases blood pressure.6
Clinical Nutrition [C]
Soy: Short-term administration of dietary soy has a small but measurable effect on thyroid hormone levels increasing the T4/T3.7
Brassicas: Cabbage, cauliflower, and other brassica family vegetables have been known to be antithyroid in high dosages. In animal studies, boiled extracts showed maximum inhibition of thyroid peroxidase activity followed by cooked and raw extracts. Excess iodide was able to counteract its effects but not neutralize it.8
Traditional Chinese Medicine [C]
The Chinese concept of hyperthyroidism is that there is usually an underlying deficiency of QI (vital energy) and yin (feminine energy), with an excess of heat, especially in the heart meridian. Although the concepts are totally different from Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine has significant success in managing hyperthyroidism through a variety of herbs, in which TSH levels can be increased successfully.
Ayurvedic Medicine [C]
Ayurvedic medicine interpret the hyperthyroid symptoms of nervousness, hypersensitivity to heat, palpitations, fatigue, increased appetite, and weight loss as caused by an imbalance of all three doshas, especially the pitta (fire doshas). The main herbs used are kanchanar guggul, triphala, and trikatu. Guggul is helpful for all thyroid conditions, hyper and hypo.
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Selected Clinical Studies and Literature Review
For a full discussion of successful Chinese herbal treatments for thyroid disease, see Subhuti Dharmananda, “Treatments for Thyroid Disease with Chinese Herbal Medicine,” in Selected Clinical Studies and Literature Reviews, pp. xx-xx.
